Everton go Howard’s way to knock out Man United

LONDON, (Reuters) – Goalkeeper Tim Howard saved two  penalties against his former club to inspire Everton to a 4-2  shootout win over Manchester United yesterday which sent them  into the FA Cup final for the first time since 1995.

Howard saved United’s first two spot-kicks from Dimitar  Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand after a turgid semi-final ended 0-0  after extra time at Wembley Stadium.

Everton will return to Wembley for the final on May 30  against Chelsea, who beat Arsenal 2-1 in Saturday’s first  semi-final.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka scored the winning penalty,  blasting the ball past goalkeeper Ben Foster to inflict United’s  first defeat in an FA Cup semi-final since 1970.

United manager Alex Ferguson gambled by playing a largely  reserve side and defeat ended the European champions’ hopes of  winning an unprecedented five major trophies this season.

“It was a tough game for us. Man United, whoever they play,  they could put out their under-14’s and it would have been a  tough game because they play to win every competition that they  are in,” Everton manager David Moyes said in a televised  interview. “I thought we kept at it, I thought we could have played  better at times but Man United made it difficult for us.”

The match itself was largely devoid of inspiration with  neither team gaining control and play largely meandering around  the midfield.

Everton had half a chance when Foster dallied too long on a  loose ball and almost lost it to former United striker Louis  Saha whose attempt at goal slammed into the goalkeeper’s chest.

United threatened after 23 minutes when Everton defender  Joleon Lescott deflected a shot just wide of his own goal.

United’s unfamiliar line-up largely spluttered on the stodgy  Wembley pitch and twice good moves down the right ended in  disappointment when young striker Danny Welbeck failed to  deliver a decent cross.

It was not until the 54th minute when Everton midfielder Tim  Cahill had a shot on target that either goalkeeper was forced  into a genuine save, and even then Foster was hardly troubled by  the Australian’s long-range shot.

Carlos Tevez and Park ji-Sung never stopped working for  United in midfield but Federico Macheda, the 17-year-old Italian  who has scored two vital late goals as a substitute in recent  league matches, was virtually anonymous on his full debut.

United appealed furiously for a penalty after 68 minutes  when Welbeck appeared to be clattered by defender Jagielka and   Ferguson was enraged when referee Mike Riley ruled there had  been no infringement.

In the shootout, Cahill blasted Everton’s first penalty over  the bar but Howard saved Berbatov’s lazy effort and Everton went  ahead when Leighton Baines scored. Howard saved from Ferdinand  and former United defender Phil Neville made it 2-0 to Everton.

Nemanja Vidic and Anderson both found the net for United but  James Vaughan and Jagielka held their nerve to clinch victory  for Everton.