Marcus Rashford continued his fine season as he scored again to help Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in their League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday to be one step ahead to the final in Wembley next month.

England forward Rashford’s superb solo effort after six minutes, dancing past defenders before firing home, took him to 18 goals in all competitions this season. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has more for a Premier League club in 2022-23.

Forest thought they had quickly restored parity at the City Ground after catching United out on the counter but Sam Surridge’s effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

United capitalised on that reprieve by doubling their lead just before halftime, on-loan striker Wout Weghorst netting his first goal since joining the club after Antony’s shot had been well saved.

The second goal killed off Forest hopes of a comeback and Bruno Fernandes added a late third to keep United well on course to win their first trophy since 2017.

United came into the contest having suffered their first defeat since November in all competitions at Arsenal on Sunday and had also lost their last three cup semi-finals.

Rashford gave them the perfect platform to improve that record, but Forest responded well, thinking they had immediately levelled, only for VAR to intervene, before the hosts created and wasted more chances.

Iker nets 3 for FC Goa

Calcutta: East Bengal suffered a 2-4 defeat at the hands of FC Goa in an ISL match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa.

East Bengal, coached by Stephen Constantine, were under pressure from the start of the match. Things quickly got out of their control as Iker Guarrotxena netted a hattrick within the first 25 minutes to give the home team a rousing start.

Goa, after leading 3-0 at half-time, added a fourth goal in the 53rd minute through Brandon Fernandes.

East Bengal woke up late to score two goals through VP Suhair and Sarthak Golui, but it was too little too late.

OUR BUREAU