Sir Alex Ferguson admits his Manchester United players were 'caught napping' as Demba Ba's wonder-strike sent Chelsea through to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Ba's second-half goal was enough to separate the sides in today's replay at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues now set to face Manchester City at Wembley in two weeks.
And Ferguson admits his defence were caught out by Juan Mata's pass which was expertly tucked away by Ba after 49 minutes.
'We were comfortable in the first half and I couldn’t see them getting into the game or being any great threat to us. But the goal, as it always does, changed the game,' he said.
'We spoke about Ba and the experience we had with him a couple of years ago at Newcastle when he scored exactly the same type of goal. We were caught napping, to be honest. It wasn’t a good start for us right at the beginning of the second half.'
The visitors had chances to equalise through substitute Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez, who was denied by a stunning save from Petr Cech, but Ferguson admitted his side just couldn't find the cutting edge to bring the scores level.
'After that [Ba's goal] I think we lacked the composure to win the game and create proper openings. We had a lot of possession but didn’t make the best use of it and they caused us quite a few problems on the counter-attack,' added the Scot.
'Fortunately we didn’t lose another goal, but I couldn’t really see us scoring either.'
Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta (left) and Manchester United's Patrice Evra battle for the ball during the FA Cup, Sixth Round Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. Monday April 1, 2013. See PA story SOCCER Chelsea. Nick Potts/PA Wire. Chelsea's Demba Ba (L) challenges Manchester United's Chris Smalling during their English FA Cup quarter-final replay soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London April 1, 2013 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand closely marks Chelsea's Demba Ba during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday April 1, 2013. Nick Potts/PA Wire. Chelsea's Demba Ba (right) and Manchester United's Chris Smalling battle for possession of the ball during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday April 1, 2013. John Walton/PA Wire. Manchester United's Danny Welbeck (right) and Chelsea's John Obi Mikel during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday April 1, 2013. John Walton/PA Wire. Manchester United's Michael Carrick (left) and Chelsea's Juan Mata during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. Monday April 1, 2013. See PA story SOCCER Chelsea. John Walton/PA Wire. Manchester United's Tom Cleverley (left) and Chelsea's Emboaba Oscar battle for the ball during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday April 1, 2013. Nick Potts/PA Wire. Chelsea's Emboaba Oscar (right) and Manchester United's Nani battle for possession of the ball during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. Monday April 1, 2013. John Walton/PA Wire. Chelsea's Demba Ba (left) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. Monday April 1, 2013. John Walton/PA Wire. Chelsea's Demba Ba (C) celebrates with team mates after scoring against Manchester United during their English FA Cup quarter-final replay soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London April 1, 2013 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth Chelsea's manager Rafael Benitez congratulates Demba Ba as he is substituted during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. Monday April 1, 2013. See PA story SOCCER Chelsea. John Walton/PA Wire. Chelsea's Demba Ba celebrates after scoring against Manchester United during their English FA Cup quarter-final replay soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London April 1, 2013 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth Chelsea's Demba Ba (L) celebrates scoring against Manchester United during their English FA Cup quarter-final replay soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London, April 1, 2013. REUTERS/Andrew Winning Manchester United's Ryan Giggs (left) and Chelsea's Emboaba Oscar battle for the ball during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. Monday April 1, 2013. Nick Potts/PA Wire. Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand (left) and Manchester United's Javier Hernandez battle for the ball during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. Monday April 1, 2013. Nick Potts/PA Wire. Manchester United's Phil Jones during the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. Monday April 1, 2013. Nick Potts/PA Wire. Manchester United's Phil Jones stands dejected at the end of the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. Monday April 1, 2013. John Walton/PA Wire. Chelsea's Ramires (R) challenges Manchester United's Patrice Evra during their English FA Cup quarter-final replay soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London April 1, 2013 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth Chelsea's Petr Cech (right) shakes hands with Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand at the end of the FA Cup, Quarter Final Replay at Stamford Bridge, London. Monday April 1, 2013. John Walton/PA Wire. Chelsea's Eden Hazard (R) shoots on goal as Manchester United's Phil Jones tries to block during their English FA Cup quarter-final replay soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London, April 1, 2013. REUTERS/Andrew Winning Manchester United's Javier Hernandez reacts after missing a chance to score against Chelsea during their English FA Cup quarter-final replay soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London April 1, 2013 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth Chelsea's interim manager Rafa Benitez (R) gestures next to Manchester United's manager Alex Ferguson during their English FA Cup quarter-final replay soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London April 1, 2013 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
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