Anthony Martial snatched a last-gasp winner to send Louis van Gaal's Manchester United into a potentially season-redeeming FA Cup final as the favorite following a 2-1 victory over Everton at Wembley Saturday. With the semifinal headed for extra-time after a 75th-minute Chris Smalling own goal had canceled out Marouane Fellaini's first-half strike for United against his former club, Martial was on target in injury time. Everton, with manager Roberto Martinez under fire and out of favor with the fans, could have leveled in the 57th minute when Timothy Fosu-Mensah felled Ross Barkley but David de Gea's superb diving save denied Romelu Lukaku from the penalty spot. United, which will face Watford or Crystal Palace in the final, had its own penalty appeal turned down nine minutes later when Fellaini's shot was blocked by Phil Jagielka's arm. Dutchman Van Gaal has faced endless debate about his United future, with media speculation that Jose Mourinho is waiting in the wings, after crashing out of Europe and poor performances in the Premier League. The final, with United on course to lift the trophy for the first time since 2004, would be a silver lining even if there are no guarantees he will still be in the job next season. Brighton eyes automatic promotion Brighton bolstered its bid for automatic promotion to the Premier League with a 3-1 win at Charlton Saturday, while Milton Keynes Dons was relegated to the third tier after a 4-1 thrashing by Brentford. Chris Hughton's Brighton is third in the Championship but only goal difference is keeping it below leader Burnley and second placed Middlesbrough with two games remaining in a thrilling finale to the promotion race. Burnley had moved to the top of the table following a 1-0 victory at Preston Friday and it remains in pole position after Middlesbrough was held to a 0-0 draw by Ipswich at the Riverside Stadium. Brighton ignored a protest by fans of relegated Charlton, who delayed the match by several minutes when they threw balloons on the pitch, to take the lead through Sam Baldock. Jiri Skalak and Tomer Hemed also netted for Brighton after Johann Berg Gudmundsson's equaliser for Charlton. At the other end of the table, third bottom Milton Keynes' relegation to League One was confirmed in dispiriting fashion. Nicky Maynard's early opener gave Dons the perfect start, but goals from Sergi Canos, Lasse Vibe, Ryan Woods and Jake Bidwell ended their one-season stay in the Championship. Sheffield Wednesday was unable to seal a playoff place after Derby striker Darren Bent's 82nd-minute header canceled out Barry Bannan's stunning opener for the sixth placed Owls in a 1-1 draw at the iPro Stadium. That result gave hope to seventh placed Cardiff, which dramatically defeated relegated Bolton 2-1 to move within four points of Wednesday. Zach Clough gave Bolton an early lead but Kenneth Zohore equalized after Niall Maher's red card for the visitors and Cardiff nicked it through Peter Whittingham's penalty deep into stoppage-time. Whittingham's winner sets up a fascinating meeting between Wednesday and Cardiff at Hillsborough next weekend, with the south Wales club needing a win in its penultimate game of the season to remain in the hunt for a playoff place. Fourth-placed Hull's chances of automatic promotion are over following a 2-2 draw with Leeds. Rotherham secured another season in the Championship with a goalless draw at Wolves, while Fulham is also safe despite a 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest. Bristol City can also look forward to another season in the second tier after a 2-2 draw at Blackburn. QPR drew 1-1 with Reading and at Huddersfield was held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham.
