Manchester United have included just one player in the FA Cup team of the round according to sports data company Sofascore.
The Red Devils came from behind to score a dramatic 4-3 extra-time win over rivals Liverpool to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
It was one of the best FA Cup rounds in a long time as Coventry defeated Wolves 3-2 in an action-packed match, while Chelsea made things difficult for themselves in a 4-2 win over Leicester.
Man City’s 2-0 win over Newcastle was the best of the round, but Pep Guardiola’s side have had more players in Sofascore’s XI than any other team that played in the quarter-finals.
So who made Sofascore’s team into the quarterfinals? Mail Sport takes a look.
Only one Man United player makes Sofascore’s team of the round despite their excellent win
KEELER
Jose Sa (Wolves) – 8.4
Wolves exited the FA Cup after two stoppage-time goals against Coventry, but the Championship side should have wrapped up the match much earlier in the second half.
When Gary O’Neil’s side were 1-0 down and struggling to contain the Sky Blues, the goalkeeper made some very impressive saves.
He made a crucial double save to deny Kasey Palmer and then Ellis on the rebound, while also making saves from the likes of Milan van Ewijk, Haji Wright and Josh Eccles.
His efforts appeared to be rewarded after two late goals appeared to give Wolves the advantage – only for Coventry to score in the seventh and tenth minutes of stoppage time to seal the shock win.
Sa conceded three goals, but he couldn’t have done much about that.
Jose Sa made a number of crucial saves that kept Wolves in the match when they were 1-0 down
DEFENDERS
Bobby Thomas – 7.5
Good all-round effort from the Coventry City defender, who recognized the danger well and managed to get out of his penalty area quickly when they came under pressure.
He had the better of Wolves striker Nathan Fraser, who was replaced on the hour mark by Leon Chiwome – who didn’t really cause him any problems either.
Defensively things might have been better for Wolves’ second goal, when a Rayan Ait-Nouri shoulder dip left him behind before the ball had been passed to Hugo Bueno.
He more than made up for that with a beautiful header that set up Simms’ equalizer in the 97th minute.
Bobby Thomas defended well and his header set up Ellis Simms’ equaliser
Manuel Akanji – 7.7
Manchester City were the only team in the quarter-finals to keep a clean sheet, so it’s no surprise that two of their backline end up in this team.
However, it was Swiss international Akanji who led the defense and made a number of key tackles and interceptions during the match.
Alexander Isak tried to get away once or twice on his shoulder, but Akanji recovered and never looked like he had to over-exert himself.
Manuel Akanji looked at ease in the heart of Manchester City’s defense against Newcastle
Josko Gvardiol – 7.4
The Croatian returned home for the first time since Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Brentford on February 5.
Jacob Murphy’s pace presented him with a tough test, but Gvardiol did well to come out on top.
Anthony Gordon also tried his luck, but that was also to no avail for the Magpies.
It has been a difficult first season at the Etihad for the 22-year-old, but he put in a very solid performance on Saturday.
Josko Gvardiol handled the threats from Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy very well
MIDFIELDERS
Alexis MacAllister – 8.1
The Argentine midfielder scored in his third straight game to put the Reds level after Scott McTominay’s opener for the Red Devils.
His crushing effort was deflected into the back of the net and he led their response with his composure in midfield.
Has been arguably Liverpool’s best player in recent games and it was another impressive performance from the former Brighton star despite collapsing in extra-time.
Alexis Mac Allister scored Liverpool’s equalizer and impressed in midfield
Scott McTominay-8.4
Despite United’s incredible comeback, the Scotland international is the only Manchester United player to be included in Sofascore’s best XI.
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho would certainly have been contenders for this team after their excellent performances at Old Trafford.
McTominay, who was on the verge of being sold in the summer, continues to show his importance as he fired in his tenth of the season.
The 27-year-old should have doubled the lead when they were top, but he provided the assist that allowed Marcus Rashford to make it 3-3 in extra time.
Often criticized for his performances on the pitch, the number of important goals he scores make McTominay a valuable asset.
Scott McTominay scored the opener and provided an assist in Manchester United’s win
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Cole Palmer – 8.4
The England star remains Chelsea’s bright spot in a difficult season.
Chelsea fans were frustrated when Raheem Sterling cleared the ball from Palmer before missing his penalty, which could have given them a 2-0 lead against Leicester.
Later in the first half the pair came into contact with Palmer putting the ball in the back of the net.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side would make things difficult for themselves in the second half, but he continued to pose a threat to the Foxes.
He provided the decisive moment late on with his backheel assist for Carney Chukwuemeka’s winner.
Cole Palmer produced another impressive performance in Chelsea’s 4-2 win against Leicester
Bernardo Silva-9
The Portugal international punished Newcastle for scoring both goals for Manchester City at the Etihad.
Although there was an element of fortune in it as they were both deflected off a Newcastle player, he was rewarded for aiming after the Magpies stood up and invited him to shoot.
Silva is not known for his goals, but he is now on nine for the season and Eddie Howe will be disappointed that his players have not made more of an effort to shut him down.
There were a few other stylish touches from Silva during the match, and on the day itself he looked like the best player on the pitch.
Bernardo Silva (right) was the best player on the pitch as Manchester City progressed
Carney Chukwuemeka-8.2
Not a bad effort to make the Sofascore squad when he wasn’t brought on until the 78th minute.
There were boos when he came onto the pitch, but that was more due to Mykhailo Mudryk being replaced and not because of Raheem Sterling.
However, Pochettino could be happy with the changes he made as both Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke scored in stoppage time.
Chukwuemeka doesn’t play much but he showed his quality with a give-and-go with Palmer before passing the ball into the corner.
A knee injury has limited his appearances to just nine appearances in all competitions this season and he will be hoping he can finish his season strongly after his positive impact against the Foxes.
Carney Chukwuemeka came off the bench to score the winning goal for Chelsea
Rayan Ait-Nouri (8.4)
The 22-year-old Algeria international may have been on the losing side, but his performances showed why clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked with him.
He had a big role in both goals, the first of which was a cool finish into the back of the net to put Wolves level with seven minutes of the 90 remaining.
Five minutes later he made a dangerous run before passing the ball to Bueno, who scored his first senior goal.
Often came in as an inverted wing-back and looked a threat when running at defenders.
Rayan Ait-Nouri helped turn the game around for Wolves before Coventry’s dramatic comeback
STRIKER
Ellis Simms – 9.5
Sofascore’s highest rated player of the FA Cup quarter-finals after his victory in Coventry’s 3-2 victory over Wolves.
The only criticism is that he should have scored a hat-trick as he was somehow unable to tap in from Jake Bidwell’s square pass after Palmer’s shot had been tipped away.
He finally put Coventry ahead after 53 minutes when he hipped home – a deserved goal after leading well against Premier League opponents.
Ellis Simms was the hero for Coventry City with two goals and an assist against Wolves
And when all looked lost, he scored again at the back post to make it 2-2, before setting up Haji Wright for the winner.
Now they are just one game away from the FA Cup final, but given his performance against Wolves, Manchester United will have to be wary of him in the next round.
