Howard Webb has blown the final whistle at Old Trafford in a game that didn't necessarily live up to all the pre-match hype surrounding it. Webb himself left his mark on the game by awarding United an early penalty, one that produced the game's only goal, and by sending off Steven Gerrard in the first half. Although Gerrard's red was deserved, the decision to award United a spot kick from Daniel Agger's light contact on Dimitar Berbatov will produce one of the game's most important talking points.
Manchester United Vs. Liverpool, Final: United Knock Liverpool Out Of FA Cup
Fitting though that for United, Ryan Giggs stepped up to win the game for the home side in the second minute - the Welsh wizard has now been playing in the FA Cup for 20 years, appeared 65 times, scored 11 and has won the Cup four times.
Kenny Dalglish will have lost his first match in charge yet Liverpool's performance wasn't entirely a lost cause. A ten man Liverpool failed to concede a second to a United side unwilling to turn their numerical advantage into domination. And while United picked up the tempo late on in search for their second, Liverpool's recently creaky back-line stood firm and resolute. It was the kind of performance one could easily have seen Liverpool getting a draw out of had Gerrard avoided his red.
As it stands, United win a match they were relatively average in, but a match also in which Liverpool could do little to overcome an average side. The fourth round will soon come calling for United while Liverpool can now turn their focus to the Premier League where they’ll hope to improve upon their 12th place league position.
See More:
