'Fantastic' says Dalglish after Liverpool beat Man Utd 2-1

A GOAL by Dirk Kuyt two minutes from time dumped Manchester United out of the FA Cup yesterday as Liverpool emerged 2-1 victors from a game of few chances. The eagerly awaited Anfield clash failed to live up to its billing but Liverpool fans didn’t care as their team went through to the fifth round.

Daniel Agger gave the home side the lead on 21 minutes, only for Park Ji-Sung to level for United shortly before the interval. The second half provided little in the way of drama until Kuyt was put into space by Andy Carroll and the Dutchman’s rasping drive beat David De Gea in the United goal.

Coming just four days after Liverpool defeated Manchester City to reach the Carling Cup final, the result rounded off a wonderful week for Kenny Dalglish. “It was a fantastic effort from our players after what they had to get through on Wednesday night,” said the Reds boss. “Their commitment, attitude and desire to get a result was fantastic and we cannot speak highly enough of them after that performance and result today.”

The build-up to the match had been dominated by the on-going tension between the two sides following their league encounter last October, a match marred by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez’s racist insult of United defender Patrice Evra. 

Yet despite allegations of a racist gesture by one Liverpool fan, now being investigated by police, the day was incident-free and Dalglish praised the behaviour of supporters. “I thought they were fantastic,” he said. “The players were a great credit for that as well - none of them tried to do anything other than play football.”

United boss Alex Ferguson was in less chipper mood, telling reporters that he was baffled by the result. “I don't know how we lost it. It was a really good performance from us... but that's FA Cup football I'm afraid and it's not the first time it's happened. To lose it is a devastating blow.”

In the day’s other big clash, Chelsea had Juan Mata to thank for their passage through to the fifth round. His penalty on 62 minutes was all that separated the Blues and Queens Park Rangers on a day when the pre-match hype had centred on Anton Ferdinand and John Terry. The Chelsea skipper is up in court next month to answer charges that he racially abused the QPR defender earlier in the season, and both sides had appealed for calm going into the game. 

To further defuse any potential flashpoints the FA scrapped the traditional handshakes between the two teams, a decision that was welcomed by both managers. “There were discussions this morning as well and Chelsea had their views and basically we all came to the same decision,” explained QPR boss Mark Hughes. 

Apart from some hostile chanting aimed Terry’s way by Rangers fans, the tie passed off peacefully although there was precious little entertainment on offer. That didn’t bother Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas who said: “It was a good solid display defensively. This January, since Aston Villa, we have organised ourselves a little bit better in defence without conceding so many goals.”

Crawley Town of League Two provided the biggest shock of the day with their 1-0 win away at Hull. The Sussex outfit only won promotion from non-league football last season but they proved too strong for their Championship hosts with Matt Tubbs scoring the winner on 57 minutes - his 18th goal of the season.

Crawley boss Steve Evans had no doubt who he wants to meet in the next round: “Being a Celtic man I would love to meet Kenny [Dalglish] but we are just pleased to be in the draw,” said Evans, adding: “We won't get carried away but we'd like a big club, preferably at home.”

Not far behind Crawley’s giant-killing was the achievement of another Sussex side as Brighton beat Newcastle 1-0 at the Amex stadium. The Seagulls, tenth in the Championship, defeated the Magpies thanks to an own goal from Mike Williamson, who diverted a shot from Will Buckley. 

“To beat a massive team like Newcastle at the Amex is fantastic,” said Buckley. "What an atmosphere! The fans have been brilliant and tonight was one of the best nights here so far.” ·