19 February 2006, by Sean Gillen

Liverpool stifle Ronaldo in historic FA Cup win

Liverpool 1-0 Manchester United

Liverpool avenged their 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford last month as Peter Crouch headed the European Champions into the next round of the FA Cup at the expense of their great rivals.

Crouch’s 19th minute header gave the home side a deserved win in a scrappy encounter in which they had the better of the play in front of 44,000 fans at Anfield.

United captain Gary Neville was given an especially hostile reception throughout by the home fans who hadn’t forgotten his celebrations in front of the Liverpool end after United’s winner last month at Old Trafford.

The first 20 minutes were evenly contested, with Ronaldo’s 15 metre shot comfortably saved by Jose Reina before Kewell, unmarked, glanced a Steven Gerrard cross towards goal, only for Edwin van der Sar to produce an excellent reflex save.

United didn’t learn from the warning and from the resulting corner, Liverpool full-back Steve Finnan exchanged passes with Steven Gerrard before his cross found an unchallenged Crouch whose header van Der sar again got his fingertips to but could not prevent it going in off the post.

United regrouped at half time and brought on French striker Louis Saha for his defensive compatriot Mikael Silvestre but an equaliser never really looked likely as Liverpool dealt well with United’s attacks.

Liverpool missed two chances in the second half to extend their lead with Crouch almost taking advantage of a misunderstanding between van der Sar and Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic and then Harry Kewell dragging his shot wide from 10 metres.

Ronaldo threatening

Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo was United’s most threatening player on the day. Ronaldo made good use of the ball, including an excellent run midway through the second half, but in general didn’t receive possession in attacking areas and was fouled throughout.

Liverpool became increasingly defensive as full time drew nearer and spent the last 20 minutes protecting their lead. United came close a couple of times in the latter stages, with Giggs firing just over with his right foot from the edge of the area and Ronaldo’s left-footed shot easily held by Reina.

The game was marred by a late injury to United substitute Alan Smith, who fell awkwardly on his left leg when charging down a free-kick. The reactions of team-mates van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo suggested the injury was serious and after the game United boss Alex Ferguson confirmed that Smith had suffered damage to ligaments, a broken leg and a dislocated ankle joint.

The result is a huge blow to United who must now regroup before the Carling Cup final next week against Wigan. For Liverpool, who recorded their first victory over United in the FA Cup for 85 years, it was the perfect warm-up for their Champions League clash with Benfica on Tuesday at the Estádio da Luz.


Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyppia, Carragher, Riise, Sissoko, Hamman, Gerrard, Kewell (Kromkamp 82), Morientes (Garcia 62), Crouch (Cisse 88)
Yellow Cards: Hamman (48), Hyppia (53), Carragher (62), Kewell (79)

Man Utd:
van Der Sar, Neville, Silvestre (Saha 45), Brown, Vidic, Fletcher (Smith 76 – replaced by Park 90), Richardson, Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney, van Nistelrooy
Yellow Cards: Giggs (33), Neville (74), Vidic (76)

Goals:
[1-0] Crouch, 19