Third Round Weekend: Red Devils Dispel King Kenny's Fairytale Start

Manchester United 1 Liverpool 0

Any delusions the Anfield faithful might have that club legend Kenny Dalglish can just wave a magic wand and turn around the Merseysiders’ season in an instant have quickly evaporated after defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals.

Two major first half decisions went against Liverpool and knocked them out. After just thirty seconds Dimitar Berbatov won United a controversial penalty. The Bulgarian made the most of minimal contact from visiting defender Daniel Agger, delaying going down, but referee Howard Webb pointed the spot, despite the linesman not flagging. Veteran Ryan Giggs dispatched from twelve yards expertly with just a minute and a half on the clock.

Just after the half hour the visitors’ captain Steven Gerrard saw red for an off the ground lunge on Michael Carrick. There can be little argument about this latter decision as players are inviting a dismissal when they jump in the modern game. It could have been even worse for the visitors, but Johnny Evans’ header from a corner in stoppage time before the break came back off the post.

There can be little doubt the sending off of the Liverpool skipper damaged the contest. United wasted numerous half chances in the second half to increase their lead, but were also happy to sit back and let the visitors have the ball. Daglish’s ten men improved slightly after the hour when he sent on Ryan Babel and Jonjo Shelvey. Both goalkeepers remained on top for the rest of the match.

Pepe Reina made a superb string of quick succession saves in a goalmouth scramble around the seventy minute mark. Liverpool eventually tired being a man light, but few if any edge guilt edge chances were created by the Red Devils. Ultimately football is a results-based business but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side could have shown a little more ambition to put the tie to bed.

Whilst Gerrard will miss the Merseyside derby next weekend through suspension, it’s not all bad news for Dalglish. Martin Kelly was outstanding both defensively and going forward from right back today. Glen Johnson certainly should not walk straight back into the team after such an impressive display from the local lad. Reina could do with improving his distribution.