[Liverweb] Man United FA Cup Match Report

Liverweb FA Cup Match Report

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Liverpool 1 Manchester United 0

Liverpool : Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Sissoko,
Gerrard, Kewell, Hamann, Moientes, Crouch

Subs Used : Garcia for Morientes (63), Kromkamp for Kewell (81),
Cisse for Crouch (87)

Subs Unused : Dudek, Traore

Att : 44,039

Ref : Howard Webb

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The Reds made it through to the quarter finals of the FA Cup with a
convincing 1-0 win over arch rivals Man United. A Peter Crouch
header was enough to see the Reds through. United went out with
little more than a whimper and their day was made worse by the awful
injury to Alan Smith who both dislocated his ankle and broke his
leg. Much has been made of course since the game of the singing and
chanting towards Smith from a minority of fans but ignores the game
long taunting of Murderers from United fans.

The early kick off and a lower Anfield Road end full of United fans
was a recipe for a very loud Anfield and the Reds were certainly up
for it. The banner at the Kop end told United that 'We achieve your
dreams' was soon followed by we won it 5 times around the ground.
Later United's only response to that was some garbled we won it 6
times.

United got the game started attacking the Kop end in the first half.
The Reds were missing Alonso so had Hamann in the centre of the
pitch with Sissoko. Both had blinders there as well. Crouch was also
back up front for the Reds in place of the cup tied Fowler. Anfield
was pretty much all packed out although there was a few noticeable
gaps in the director's box.

The game was merely four minutes old when Harry Kewell made sure
that Gary Neville knew he was in for a tough time. Kewell barged
through Neville quite late and could have been booked. A stern word
from Howard Webb was enough though and Anfield chanted his name.
Kewell throughout the game looked really up for this battle with
Neville and the only surprise was that it took until well in to the
second half before he was booked.

Ronaldo had the visitor's first effort on goal when he shot straight
at Reina. On eleven minutes Brown spooned a Kewell cross of his
keeper and thankfully for him over the bar as well. The Reds were
starting to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate it.
Morientes nearly got a header in on fourteen minutes off a Gerrard
cross. On eighteen minutes Kewell headed on target but only a superb
save from van der Saar kept the ball out of the net. From the
resulting corner though the Reds took the lead. As loads in the
crowd sighed at another short corner Finnan whipped the ball in and
Crouch rose just ahead of Kewell to smash the ball home off the
post. With that goal ultimately came the game.

The Reds were now in control of the game. The centre of midfield was
won by the Reds as Giggs and Richardson were easily over run by
Sissoko and Hamann. This gave the Reds the springboard to attack at
will. The Reds had a glorious chance on thirty five minutes to score
again. The move started from a corner which Gerrard played short to
Kewell. For some strange reason Giggs launched in to a tackle on
Kewell and brought him down on the edge. It was given as a free kick
outside the box which having seen replays of it now was very
fortunate for him. The free kick was floated to the far post and
Finnan came in unmarked but hit his shot in to the side netting of
the goal.

United made a switch at half time bring on Saha for Silvestre. Edwin
van der Saar took his position in the Kop goal up having returned
the usual keeper's applause afforded to him. United were now lining
up with pretty much a three man front line but quite frankly until
they won any midfield play they were going nowhere.

Five minutes in to the first half and the Reds were nearly two up as
Crouch pounced on a loose ball. Vidic and van der Saar dithered on
the edge of their own area and Crouch poked the ball goalwards but
sadly it rolled just wide of the post. United had little of any note
to offer although at one nil part of you still fears a late
onslaught. Just after an hour Garcia came on in place of Morientes
and he slotted in up front with Crouch to begin with.

The Reds had a couple of great chances shortly after. First of all
Sissoko hit a shot straight across the face of the goal and then on
sixty eight minutes the ball landed at Kewell's feet but having got
the ball set he blasted a poor shot in to a crowd of United players.
United brought on Alan Smith on seventy six minutes as they tried to
get a foot hold in to the midfield. Either side of this the referee
had his yellow card out. First Neville was roundly cheered as he was
carded for persistent fouling and then just after the change Kewell
was booked for a poor challenge on Neville.

The Reds were failing to keep hold of decent possession now and
allowing United to stay on the attack. They rarely looked like
creating anything of note though. In the final minute came the cruel
injury to Smith. The Reds were awarded a free kick some thirty five
yards from goal. The Reds set the shot up for Riise who blasted his
shot goalwards only to see it blocked by Smith. Smith sadly crumpled
under the block and was in clear agony. Most of the players realised
straight away what happened but it was only when Cisse over ran the
ball that the trainer was allowed on. You can always sense when
injuries are bad but seeing players visibly turn their heads away
made it clear what had happened.

After extra minutes were played though the ref blew for time and the
celebrating would continue well in to the night. An FA Cup win has
been a long time coming over United so this tasted very sweet
indeed. It was a richly deserved win as well which makes this one
all the better. An excellent day all round for the Reds.

MotM : Sami Hyypia - a rock at the heart of the defence and
continues what has been some great form from the Finn. He was
closely followed here by Carragher, Hamann, Sissoko and Kewell for
this one which is what you want from your team.

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Match Stats
Liverpool United
55% Possession 45%
5 Shots On Target 3
3 Shots Off Target 2
2 Blocked Shots 2
8 Corners 4
22 Fouls 19
0 Offsides 3
4 Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 0

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