It all started so well for Tottenham but the joy of Dele Alli’s opener was short-lived, as an old nemesis in Alexis Sanchez had the last laugh in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final.
Though Spurs had the lion’s share of possession, their threat waned as the game went on – and it was left for Ander Herrera to send United into the final.
Nevertheless, Tottenham did not play badly. We run the rule over the players who left Wembley knowing they did all they could, and those who may have trouble looking themselves in the mirror.
STARTING XI (4-2-3-1)
Michel Vorm – Won’t thank Dembele for the slack defending for Alexis Sanchez’s equaliser, but being beaten so close to body by Ander Herrera – despite being unsighted – is never a good look for a keeper. 5
Kieran Trippier – Got bullied by the diminutive Sanchez in the build-up to the winner – a mighty blemish on an otherwise decent display that saw him make five clearances and an interception. 5
Davinson Sanchez – His pinpoint pass for Eriksen, who went on to set up Dele Alli, showed all the hallmarks of a modern day ball-playing centre-back. His defending, however, could do with a touch of the old school as he looked shaky up against Romelu Lukaku and Sanchez at times. 6
Jan Vertonghen – Is there a better defender in the world, let alone Premier League? Tottenham’s – probably best – player didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. Often there to put a timely foot in when United surged forward on the break. 7
Ben Davies – Offered little going forward – indeed offered United’s forwards far more. The fall guy when Mauricio Pochettino brought on Lucas Moura in a bid to shake things up. 4
Eric Dier – Dier is another one who can hold his head up high. Covered every blade of grass on the Wembley pitch, went mightily close to scoring and didn’t give up right until the end as he stopped Marcus Rashford from sewing the game up. 8
Mousa Dembele – Made to look embarrassingly weak as Pogba pushed him off the ball and delivered that cross to Sanchez. Has made teams like Juventus look like kids playing in the park this season, but Dembele played like a lost boy here. 4
Christian Eriksen – Sumptuous ball handed Dele Alli his goal on a silver platter and provided a smattering of other exciting moments. Went into a cocoon though as United grew in confidence. 6
Dele Alli – As referee Anthony Taylor let the game retain its physical edge, Alli revelled in it and played hard, exciting – but fair. A force both with the ball and without, his return to form will have England boss Gareth Southgate smiling from ear to ear. 8
Son Hyeung-min – The slippery Korean provided United with a few heart-in-mouth moments as he teased them inside the box, yet never truly provided a pass of substance. 6
Harry Kane – Shackled well by the likes of Phil Jones and Nemanja Matic, dropped deeper in an effort to get himself into the game. Outside of a few neat touches and passes, there was none of the usual sparkle. 5
SUBSTITUTES
Lucas Moura – Lively without ever causing the Red Devils any jitters, having been brought on for the last 20 minutes. 6
Eric Wanyama – Failed to assert himself in the 15 minutes he got – opening up defences isn’t really his bag. 5
Erik Lamela – On for Son in the final five, mustered a few attempts to probe. N/A
