| Tim Howard emerged an FA Cup spot-kick hero to wreck his old
club's quintuple bid and send Everton to their first final since
1995 following a 4-2 penalty shootout win.
After a goalless and frankly rather tepid two hours, Howard saved
a penalty from Manchester United record signing Dimitar Berbatov
and another from Rio Ferdinand to send the Toffeemen into ecstasy.
After the match Everton manager David Moyes admitted his side had
practised penalties but said it was no real preperation.
Moyes said: "We did (practice), we had a go but how can you
practice really?
"The goalkeeper made a couple of really good saves.
"We had a struggle to find five to take them. Jagielka was
one of the ones who scored in training. We didn't have too many
takers on the day."
The Red Devils had a good shout for a penalty when Danny Welbeck
went down under close attention from Jagielka and Moyes admitted
he had feared the worst.
"From where I was I thought it was," Moyes continued.
"I've not seen it but I thought that may be close."
Manchester United were missing the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano
Ronaldo, Michael Carrick and Edwin van der Sar but Moyes insisted
the young side gave his team a difficult challenge.
"It was a tough game for us," he added. "If they
put out their under-14s it would have a been a tough game - they
are going after every trophy.
"For everyone at Everton is fantastic. If they keep doing
what they are doing now it (success) will not be too far away."
Everton captain Phil Neville described his pride at the prospect
at leading the Toffees out at Wembley next month. |
