Manchester United looked like it was heading toward a replay with Derby County in the FA Cup third round on Friday. Despite playing at home and with a lineup close to full strength, the Red Devils couldn’t break down the English Championship side. Until an incredible Jesse Lingard goal in the 84th minute.
Lingard, who has been on fire of late, scored his fourth goal in four matches to lift Manchester United to a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.
This Jesse Lingard goal vs Derby County had skill (his first touch set up his second perfectly), vision (to see the small opening from which to shoot) and, of course, power (to blast it past a goalkeeper in great form). Add in the clutching timing and it was about as perfect a goal as you can score.
And it came at just the right time for Manchester United, which was starting to wonder if it would ever find a way past goalkeeper Scott Carson. Derby County had done well to keep Manchester United off the scoreboard for the first 83 minutes, including this stellar save from Carson on a Paul Pogba free kick.
The Rams were closing in on earning a replay back at Pride Park Stadium when Lingard struck. Unfortunately for Derby County, Romelu Lukaku added a second for Manchester United to ensure his club’s passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Lukaku isn’t exactly known for running at defenders, but his ball skills and pace were evident in the second United goal.
Lukaku finishes the game off! #mufc #FACup #MUNDER pic.twitter.com/gE8Q6XBJ3V
— Sander Kronberg (@kronbergsports) January 5, 2018
But really, this match was all about the Jesse Lingard goal vs Derby County, one that won’t be forgotten any time soon (or at least until he scores another cracker).