FAC: Manchester United 2-0 Brighton

Romelu Lukaku celebrates with Jesse Lingard after scoring against Brighton

Manchester United kept their chance of winning silverware this season alive as they moved into the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Brighton on Saturday.

Old Trafford was a deflated place following United's dismal exit from the Champions League against Sevilla on Tuesday but goals from Romelu Lukaku (37) and Nemanja Matic (84) lifted the spirits.

It was not as straightforward as the scoreline suggests with United having just two shots on target during the 90 minutes - both of which were converted via back-post headers.

 

United goalkeeper Sergio Romero - deputising for David de Gea - was kept busy by Brighton, who played with more adventure than the hosts but lacked a killer finish in the final third.

 

The first half was a drab affair played out in a quiet atmosphere considering it was a cup quarter-final. United created a couple of half chances as Anthony Martial and Juan Mata linked up but a tame shot drifted wide of the post and Chris Smalling hit a close-range effort off a post.

Old Trafford was awoken by Lukaku just before the break.

 

Matic swept a first-time cross towards the far post and Lukaku powered home a header past Tim Krul in the Brighton goal.

After the break, Jurgen Locadia hit a dangerous effort that was flying towards the top corner until Romero flung out a left-hand to make a fine stop.

 

Locadia was Brighton's biggest threat and should have levelled on 67 minutes but his header at the back post from a Solly March cross flew wide.

Chris Hughton would have sensed an equaliser was very possible but United wrapped up the game with their only effort on goal in the second half when Matic met Ashley Young's free-kick.