Not to rub salt into Evertons’ fans’ wounds, but there is a serious argument to be made that they never should have had a chance to tie Manchester United in the FA Cup Semifinals match in the first place, let alone take a lead that ultimately never came.
Photo evidence from a controversial saved shot on goal during an attack by Man United midfielder (and former Everton starter) Marouane Fellaini showed that Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka committed a blatant hand ball foul that kept the ball from going in.
Great stop from Phil Jagielka!#FACupSemiFinal #EVEMUN #bbcfootball #EFC #MUFC pic.twitter.com/FIDiFqvmSp
— Time Added On… (@TimeAddedOn91) April 23, 2016
The clear violation was not seen by the judges but should have resulted in a penalty kick for Man United.
Ten minutes later Man United would concede the lead with an own goal from Chris Smalling that tied the game 1-1. However, the Toffees FA Cup title hopes were dashed in injury time as Anthony Martial scored the game winner.
While Anthony Martial ultimately avenged Fellaini’s “saved” shot and the unawarded penalty, there would have been a lot of angry (and possibly violent) Man United fans at Wembley if the Toffees had scored twice in that game.
Apparently the football universe knows how to balance itself out every now and then.
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