Middlesbrough achieved a giant killing feat after beating Man United, however, the ball hit Duncan Watmore’s hand in the build up to their equaliser
By Kehinde Okeowo
Manchester United were stunned by Championship side Middlesbrough, who came from behind at Old Trafford before winning a nail-biting 16-shot penalty shootout, ending the participation of the Red Devils in this season’s FA Cup.
Nineteen-year-old Anthony Elanga ballooned his shot over the bar after 15 other penalty takers scored to give Middlesbrough a win that was celebrated by their 9,000-strong visiting supporters.
It was only the second time in 11 meetings with Premier League opposition that Middlesbrough had progressed, following on from their equally surprising success against the blue half of Manchester in 2015.
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There was however a controversial moment in the game when the ball hit Duncan Watmore’s hand in the build up to Middlesbrough’s goal and United felt hard done by that the referee gave the goal.
United had only themselves to blame after failing to take advantage of countless chances before Middlesbrough’s equaliser as they had 30 shots at goal, the clearest of which was Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed penalty.
Jadon Sancho seemed to have earned United a passage to the last 16 when he scored a goal in the 25th minute before Middlesbrough’s 64th minute goal took the game to penalties.
The Red Devils’ ouster means their most realistic chance of silverware has now disappeared.
FA Cup’s fifth round draw will take place on Sunday, February 5, and Middlesbrough will be hoping for a favourable pairing.
