FA Cup semi-finals and Premier League things to look at. Manchester When United and Brighton play at Wembley, only the 1983 FA Cup final comes to mind. Ron Atkinson savoring the moment of United’s replay victory, Gordon Smith’s miss/Gary Bailey’s save, Ray Wilkins’ chip, and manic celebration, Steve Foster’s misguided return from suspension. Halcyon days, forty years later, two coaches who made a big impression on English football in their first seasons meet. With Alexis Mac Allister playing in midfield instead of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martnez, Roberto De Zerbi is ahead of Erik Ten Hag regarding the World Cup winners at his disposal. Teams that play an aggressive, high-pressing style similar to Brighton’s have had trouble with Ten Hag’s team this season. Since Evan Ferguson cannot play, Brighton will be led by the former Red Danny Welbeck against a patched-up defense. Ten Hag must hope Brighton freezes as Newcastle did in the Carabao Cup final this season. The Seagulls are a different proposition from Chris Hughton’s team, of which Lewis Dunk is the lone survivor, at the spot where they barely lost to Manchester City in 2019.
FA Cup semi-finals and Premier League things to look
 Blades must be irresistibly blunt. City
The dazzling mirage has given way to a world of burnt ground, electrical storms, and burning skies for anyone who thought that fighting on three fronts may produce a fatal flaw inside Manchester City’s remorseless winning machine. Following their recent Champions League victory against Bayern Munich, City have reverted to their dominant ways and are currently on a string of 15 games without suffering a loss. It would be an understatement to suggest that Sheffield United, who are vying for automatic promotion back to the top level, face a difficult job at Wembley, especially given the manner in which City destroyed Burnley, the undisputed champions of the Championship, in their Cup quarterfinal. The Blades’ most recent stint in the Premier League saw all four matches go to Pep Guardiola’s team, so the underdogs will need to put on a fantastic display to have any chance of upsetting City and ending their quest for a triple. Toby Magee
In January 2008, Sheffield United took the lead thanks to a goal by Luton Shelton (right) after Manchester City’s Michael Ball missed his kick amid the balloons.
How Sheffield United shocked Manchester City in the FA Cup thanks to a balloon
See more 3) Smith Rowe is still waiting for his big moment.
Emile Bukayo Saka and Smith Rowe collaborate on a song called “Terrace” with good reason. Both players are superb young athletes who have proven to be strong operators at the highest level after passing through Arsenal’s youth system. But whereas Saka has been crucial to their title defense, Smith Rowe has yet to make a single season-opening start. He had a number of long-standing injury issues, but now that he is totally healthy, his lack of playing time is starting to draw attention. He was not called off the bench during Sunday’s draw at West Ham despite an apparent need for attacking urgency. One has to ask when Smith Rowe will gain favor if a player who scored 10 league goals last season is not used at that point. Nobody questions his ability to support Arsenal’s title aspirations; Arteta recently requested a meeting with the 22-year-old and stated that he is “in a very good place.” If he can begin his season with a significant contribution against Southampton on Friday night, he will undoubtedly be in an even better one.
