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Manchester United's Guillermo Varela, right, fights for the ball against West Ham United's Dimitri Payet during the English FA Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday March 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
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Anthony Martial’s late goal canceled out a remarkable free kick by Dimitri Payet as Manchester United and West Ham battled to a 1-1 draw on Sunday in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
The result means a replay will take place on a date yet to be determined, and for awhile it looked like West Ham was going to advance. The Hammers came to Old Trafford and played a resolute, attacking style that troubled the hosts.
In several respects, Payet was the flashpoint
player of the match. He received a yellow card in the 55th minute for a bad challenge, and he very well could have been carded again for diving later in the second half.
Regardless, Payet was on the pitch to win and then take a free kick in the 68th minute. The French winger summarily reminded everyone of his devastating ability:
 | @PerfectPass | |
Payet is some player. Tremendous free kick at Old Trafford to put West Ham up 1-0... pic.twitter.com/vrBH9kt4nX #WHUFC #MUFC #Payet
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Forced to ramp up the pressure, Manchester United bombed forward to the West Ham goal and was nearly caught out in the 76th minute by Payet, who was called for a foul after he shoved off a couple defenders on the counter.
United’s efforts paid off with Martial’s equalizer in the 83rd minute. Ander Herrera chased down a ball near the touch line and floated a cross to the far post, which Martial did well to chase down and punch in:
 | @FOXSoccer | |
Game on! Anthony Martial turns home Ander Herrera's cross at the far post, and just like that, it's 1-1! #FACUPonFOX snpy.tv/22bvHZJ
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Manchester United had the better of possession and fired 18 shots, though only two were on target. Louis Van Gaal’s side can’t be too pleased it has to take a trip to East London for the replay, and West Ham figures to be even tougher to oust on its home ground.
On the same note, Sunday’s result is another relative feather in the cap for the Hammers this season. They sit fifth in the Premier League at the moment, just two points behind fourth place and a Champions League spot. Already this season, they’ve won at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, while they also drew their visit to Manchester United in the league.
West Ham is looking for its first trip to the FA Cup semifinals since 2006, when it lost to Liverpool on penalties in the final. United, for all its success in the league and Europe over the years, hasn’t lifted the FA Cup in 12 years and is looking to move into a tie with Arsenal with its 28th semifinal appearance.
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