Manchester United, Paris and Milan eliminated
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
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On a night of cup shocks across Europe, UEFA Champions League last-16 contenders Manchester United FC, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan were among the teams eliminated.
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English League Cup
Sunderland AFC will meet Manchester City FC in the 2 March final after overcoming Manchester United FC on penalties at Old Trafford. United, trailing 2-1 from the first leg in the north-east, drew level on aggregate through a first-half header from Jonny Evans. They could not find another goal, however, and extra time was required. The Black Cats looked set to prevail when former United defender Phil Bardsley's 119th-minute shot squirmed under David de Gea, but there was still time for Javier Hernández to turn in Adnan Januzaj's low cross and force a shoot-out. Sunderland eventually won 2-1 on spot kicks to book their first Wembley cup final since 1992.
Coupe de France
On a night of upsets in France, fourth-tier FAIRM Île-Rousse Monticello edged out holders FC Girondins de Bordeaux with a 4-3 win on penalties after a 0-0 draw in Corsica. AS Moulins, also of the fourth division, made use of home advantage to dispense with Ligue 1 Toulouse FC 2-1 in normal time. Another unexpected result came in the evening's only all-top-flight encounter, with Montpellier Hérault SC inflicting Paris Saint-Germain's first defeat of the year to emerge 2-1 victors in the capital.
Elsewhere, there was to be no fairy-tale return to his former club for Ludovic Giuly as Monts d'Or Azergues Foot were beaten 3-0 at AS Monaco FC. Meanwhile, visitors Olympique Lyonnais ended the dreams of AS Yzeure, finishing the night 3-1 winners.
Copa del Rey
Cristian Tello struck a hat-trick as FC Barcelona came from behind to post a comfortable 4-1 victory at Levante UD in the first leg of their quarter-final. Nabil El Zhar's first-half effort had put Levante in front but the Blaugrana moved up the gears after the interval and prevailed courtesy of Tello's treble and an own goal from Juanfran.
Real Sociedad de Fútbol took command of their tie with Real Racing Club when Mikel González scored twice from close range in the opening 33 minutes in San Sebastian. Carlos Vela swept in José Ángel's cross to make it 3-0 just past the hour but the Santander side were handed a lifeline ahead of the return through Mamadou Koné's late header.
Coppa Italia
Clarence Seedorf suffered his first defeat since taking charge of AC Milan last week, the Rossoneri being eliminated from the Coppa Italia at the quarter-final stage by Udinese Calcio. Mario Balotelli had given the hosts an early lead at San Siro, but Luis Muriel drew the Zebrette level from the spot before half-time. Nicolás López’s low second-half finish earned Udinese a last-four meeting with AC Siena or ACF Fiorentina.