adminLONDON. — Hull City staged a stirring second half fightback to book their first FA Cup final appearance with a thrilling 5-3 win over Sheffield United at Wembley yesterday.
Steve Bruce’s side survived a stern test from the League One underdogs in a sensational semi-final and will face Arsenal on May 17 in the first major Cup final in Hull’s 110-year history.
United led through Jose Baxter and although Yannick Sagbo equalised Stefan Scougall restored their advantage before halftime.
The Premier League team finally made their extra quality tell after the interval and goals from Matty Fryatt, Tom Huddlestone, Stephen Quinn and David Meyler secured victory in Hull’s first FA Cup semifinal for 84 years despite Jamie Murphy’s late reply for United.
Hull owner Assem Allam suffered a frustrating defeat at Wembley in midweek when his controversial application to change the club’s name to Hull Tigers was rejected by the Football Association.
But this was a far more significant result for Allam and his club, who will play in next season’s Europa League if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League.
Nigel Clough’s men, the first third tier team to reach this stage of the competition since 2001, had already defeated Premier League opposition in Aston Villa and Fulham en route to the last four and they snapped tigerishly into their tackles in the opening moments.
Hull were unable to establish any momentum and it was no more than the Blades deserved when they took the lead in the 19th minute. John Brayford crossed from wide on the right and Baxter timed his run perfectly to poke home at the near-post.
United’s dominance in the first half was so pronounced that their supporters broke into chants of Ole as their team played keep-ball for a long spell.
That show of confidence seemed to irk Hull into raising their game and Bruce’s side equalised in the 42nd minute. — AFP.
Online Reporter