Compiled by Ranjika Perera

[caption id="attachment_133224" align="alignleft" width="447"] Bruno Fernandes scored two goals and got two assists for United against Roma[/caption]

The Europa League semi-finals’ first leg concluded on Thursday (29). While one Premier League club dominated, the other succumbed to a defeat.

Manchester United put together yet another master-class performance to come from behind to beat Roma by six goals to two. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring for the reds. The equaliser came through Lorenzo Pellegrini’s penalty. Roma took the lead a few minutes later through Edin Dzeko.

However, the Italian giants lost three players due to injury before the break and they were forced to make all their substitutions. It put them under pressure and let United take the upper hand in the second half.

Edinson Cavani got two quick goals away after the resumption. It was followed up by Bruno Fernandes’s penalty which put United well ahead in the game. The home side wasn’t done yet. They rounded off the scoring from another two goals by Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood.

Manchester United is aiming to get to their first final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. This is the fifth attempt after four semi-final defeat since Ole took over from Jose Mourinho. But only a second leg collapse will prevent them from facing Villarreal or Arsenal in Gdansk on 26 May.

Arsenal was stunned by a spirited performance by Unai Emery’s Villarreal. Former Gunners boss Unai Emery tasted a sweet win against his former club after he was sacked in 2019.

Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol gave Villarreal a dream start at the La Ceramica and the tie looked to be slipping away from Arsenal when Ceballos was shown a second yellow card early in the second half.

The gunners showed real grit with a 10-man team as they rallied and stole an away goal when Nicolas Pepe converted a penalty in the 73rd minute. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was so close to finding the equaliser for the visitors but Mikel Arteta will be delighted his team is not just in the contest but in a healthy position too, with an away goal to take back to London next week.

For Villarreal, it was a big chance missed to secure their spot in the final but the lead is still welcome and Emery will take comfort from the fact that they were the better side for the parts. Emery will be returning to London for the first time since his sacking.

Most importantly, he will be determined to put on a better performance and secure a final birth for his side.