More than a few people had more or less accepted that Manchester United had made the EFL Cup final, but Hull City weren’t going to make it easy.
And the Tigers were given a route back into the tie following their 2-0 first leg defeat when referee Jon Moss awarded them a first-half penalty for…well, something. A shirt pull, maybe?
Penalty! Tom Huddlestone fires Hull ahead on the night and only 2-1 behind on aggregate. Game on… https://t.co/lbzhMnyuD8
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 26, 2017
Opinion was divided, and by that we mean people weren’t sure if it was ‘not a foul’ or ‘not even close to being a foul’.
https://twitter.com/UtdRantcast/status/824713366602145792
Jon Moss is on one, here…
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) January 26, 2017
No way has he genuinely given that as a penalty 😂😂😂
— Jon V (@j_fychan) January 26, 2017
There were other theories.
Did he give a penalty for that "feeling good" chant?
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) January 26, 2017
But people were generally at a loss.
No referee Moss. That was not a penalty- a player can fall in the 18 yard box without giving a pen.
— Jan Aage Fjørtoft 🇳🇴 (@JanAageFjortoft) January 26, 2017
Tom Huddlestone converted from the spot to leave Marco Silva’s team one goal away from forcing extra-time.
United started the game without first leg goalscorers Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini, while questions were asked after Anthony Martial’s name was nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad.
José Mourinho’s enviable League Cup record, and United’s run of nearly three full months without tasting defeat, are both under threat.
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live