Loan Watch: Garner features as Forest shock Arsenal
Several of Manchester United’s loanees gained valuable Emirates FA Cup experience on a weekend which included debuts for two defenders who have recently agreed new temporary moves.
The third round of the world’s oldest cup competition always attracts plenty of attention and James Garner was front and centre of one of the biggest shocks, as Championship side Nottingham Forest knocked out 14-time winners Arsenal.
Garner patrolled the midfield for the full 90 minutes at the City Ground and tested Gunners’ keeper Bernd Leno with a powerful free-kick, before substitute Lewis Grabban grabbed a late winner to deservedly send Forest through to a fourth-round clash with East Midlands rivals and cup holders Leicester City.
Great hit from Garner 💥
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 9, 2022
Leno makes the save ✋
Should Forest have a penalty? 🤔@EmiratesFACup | @NFFC pic.twitter.com/RtUwPYbSFE
Brandon Williams will also be involved at the next stage, as he played the second half of Norwich City’s 1-0 win at Charlton Athletic.
Milot Rashica scored the only goal of the game, in the 79th minute, and the Canaries can now look forward to an all-Premier League tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers in February.
Three more Reds were involved at the weekend, albeit in narrow defeats for their loan sides.
Nathan Bishop and Mansfield Town conceded a heartbreaking 96th-minute own goal to lose a topsy-turvy encounter with Middlesbrough 3-2 – the Teessiders will provide United’s fourth-round opposition, should we defeat Aston Villa on Monday night.
Young defender Di’Shon Bernard impressed in front of the BBC cameras, although Hull City were eventually overcome 3-2 by Everton after 120 minutes.
A shame on the result but thought all the boys had a performance to be proud of 💪🏾👊🏾 @HullCity pic.twitter.com/W0rO1xMvg0
— BigDish 🤘🏾 (@DishonBernard) January 9, 2022
The home side took the lead within a minute and a brilliant Ryan Longman goal took the tie to extra time, after Demarai Gray and Andre Gomes had scored for the Toffees.
Andros Townsend came up with his own, decisive stunner in the 99th minute, but Bernard and co can be proud of their efforts.
Which side awaits United in the fourth round?
ArticleThe Reds now know who we will play at the next stage of the FA Cup, should we beat Aston Villa on Monday.
Teden Mengi made a first appearance for Birmingham City since agreeing to join the Blues on loan until the end of the season.
However, the 19-year-old couldn’t prevent Lee Bowyer’s side from being eliminated, with Plymouth Argyle settling a tight game 1-0 in extra-time, after George Friend had been dismissed for two bookable offences.
There was another defensive debut, this time in Italy, as Axel Tuanzebe came on for Faouzi Ghoulam to help Napoli see out the final 10 minutes of their 1-0 win over Sampdoria in Serie A.
With Internazionale and AC Milan winning their games on Sunday, the three points could be vital in keeping Luciano Spalletti’s side in the title race.
👋 Axel has a message for Napoli fans!
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) January 8, 2022
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/2BpDxoUBSw
Ethan Laird, who agreed a loan move to Bournemouth last week, cutting short his spell at Swansea City, wasn't involved as the Cherries won 3-1 at Yeovil Town to set up a fourth-round fixture with non-league Boreham Wood.
Ethan Galbraith was in action for Doncaster again, playing the full game as Rovers were beaten 1-0 at home by Fleetwood Town in League One.
Finally, Facundo Pellistri returned from a three-week lay-off as he was substituted on for the closing stages of Alaves's goalless draw with Athletic Bilbao.
The point keeps Alaves in 17th place, just clear of the La Liga relegation zone.
Facundo has been selected in a 50-man Uruguay squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Paraguay and Venezuela, alongside Edinson Cavani.