Sweet spot for ex-Red Howard

Sport: Everton 0, Man United 0 (aet)

(Everton win 4-2 on penalties)

FORMER Manchester United keeper Tim Howard ended his old team’s bid to win an unprecedented five major trophies in one season.

The American saved penalties from Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand as the Reds were defeated in a penalty shootout which decided yesterday’s FA Cup semi-final against Everton.

After 120 minutes of stalemate, the Wembley showpiece between the North West rivals went to spot-kicks.

But penalty specialists United lost their 100-per-cent record at the new national stadium as Sir Alex Ferguson experienced his first defeat in nine FA Cup semi-finals.

After triumphing in three shootouts at Wembley in the last two seasons, the latest one ended in heartache as two of their most senior players failed to beat Howard.

Tim Cahill blazed over with Everton’s first kick, but that was negated after Berbatov’s weak kick was easily saved by Howard who then beat out Ferdinand’s attempt.

Though Vidic and Anderson converted their kicks, Everton went on to net their next four, Phil Jagielka sealing victory and sparking jubilant scenes as Everton reached their first major final since lifting the FA Cup in 1995 when Joe Royle was manager.

“We would have needed luck to win five trophies and we have had a lot of injuries. If all our players had been fit it might have been realistic, but it would still have been very difficult,” remarked Ferguson.

It was as much as about who didn’t play as who was on the pitch as Ferguson’s team selection caused raised eye brows as it was evident that United’s priorities lie elsewhere.

There was no place in the matchday 18 for Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Edwin van der Sar and John O’Shea.

Added to that Gary Neville, Patrice Evra, Dimitar Berbatov, Nani, Paul Scholes and Jonny Evans were on the bench.

Ferguson admitted his team selection was based on the pitch, explaining that Berbatov, Scholes and Evra would have started had the surface not been so energy sapping.

He said: “After our match on Wednesday, and seeing the pitch for Saturday’s semi-final, I didn’t want extra time with my strongest squad.

“I had to go with the bold decision to play the younger ones who have confidence, energy and a good temperament.

“It gave the younger players an opportunity and they did not disappoint. The only disappointment was that they were not in a winning team, but I was satisfied with the performance.”

Chances were at a premium as the two teams cancelled each other out.

And United were incensed when they were denied what replays proved was a clear penalty after Danny Welbeck had his legs taken from beneath him by Phil Jagielka.

The stalemate continued in extra time, though Foster had to make an important save with his outstretched left leg to keep out an angled shot from Cahill before the spectre of penalties became a reality.