FULHAM goalkeeper Bernd Leno was the hero with two saves in the penalty shootout to knock Manchester United out of the FA Cup.
After three precise spot-kicks from both sides, Leno denied Victor Lindelof, then, after skipper Antonee Robinson had extended Fulham’s perfect record, the German also kept out Joshua Zirkzee’s effort to send the Cottagers into the quarter-finals.
Fulham had taken the lead in first-half stoppage time when Calvin Bassey was left free at the far post to head in from close range after Rodrigo Muniz had flicked on a corner.
But, days after former United captain Roy Keane had condemned the influence of current skipper Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese dragged his side level with a superb equaliser, driving home a low shot from the edge of the area after Diogo Dalot had found him with a pass from the touchline.
Both sides could have won it without the need for penalties. Emile Smith-Rowe, denied superbly by Andre Onana before the home side levelled, was repelled by the Cameroon international again before the tie went to extra-time.
Then, 17-year-old United substitute Chido Obi flicked a shot towards goal that Leno kept out with an outstanding reaction save.
It added to a catalogue of saves from Leno that also included denying United substitute Alejandro Garnacho. The real heroics were saved for the shootout though as Fulham continue to dream of emulating their only FA Cup final appearance in 1975.
It is an amazing statistic that since the Fulham side that contained England World Cup hero Bobby Moore lost to West Ham at Wembley half a century ago, only one final has not contained any of the two Manchester teams, the two from Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham or Chelsea.
With only Manchester City of that group left in this year’s competition, there is a chance the unexpected nature of Portsmouth’s victory over Cardiff in 2008 could be repeated.
Fulham will certainly fancy their chances.
Silva has put together a talented and deep squad capable of giving anyone a game on their day.
That has tended not to be against United, who had already beaten them twice in the Premier League this season and had lost just one of their past 21 previous meetings.
However, they carried the greater threat on his occasion and should have gone in front when Alex Iwobi picked out Sasa Lukic with an excellent cross that should have met wth a better ending than being sent over the bar.
For a long time, it appeared Bassey’s effort would prove decisive. And after Fernandes’ strike drew United level, Ryan Sessegnon brought an excellent save out of Onana in second-half stoppage time.
But, after Raul Jimenez, Sander Berge and Willian had kept Fulham level in the shootout, Leno twice guessed correctly as Fulham gained redemption for the self-inflicted pain of two years ago, when they were ahead and in command of a quarter-final tie against United at Old Trafford, only to implode after a controversial penalty was awarded against them, which led to three red cards, including one for Silva, and eventual defeat.
