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| February 19, 2006 | Sunday | Muharram 20, 1427 |
Liverpool end 85-year United jinx
LONDON, Feb 18: Liverpool ended their 85-year Manchester United jinx when a first-half Peter Crouch header gave them a deserved 1-0 win in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Anfield on Saturday.
Third division Brentford’s run came to an end across London at Charlton Athletic where the Premier League side eased through 3-1 while Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United drew 0-0 in a turgid all-Premier clash at the Reebok Stadium.
Liverpool had not beaten United in nine FA Cup ties spanning 85 years, including the 1996 and 1977 finals, but were always in command of a shot-shy lunchtime kick off at Anfield.
United, a record 11-times winners of the Cup and runners-up last season, were desperately disappointing despite fielding an attacking side and Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina was not forced to make a worthwhile save.
Although Liverpool face Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday, coach Raphael Benitez also put out a full-strength side who took control of midfield from the start.
The goal came in the 19th minute when a deep Steve Finnan cross reached an unmarked Crouch whose excellent header went in off both posts.
United failed to make any impression in the first half and were only marginally more involved in the second despite the addition of halftime substitute Louis Saha and Alan Smith after 77 minutes. Their first serious shot on goal did not arrive until the 80th minute when Ryan Giggs drove a right-footer over the bar.
Last month United grabbed a last-minute 1-0 league win at Old Trafford and they also scored two late goals to snatch a 2-1 win in the teams’ last FA Cup meeting in United’s 1999 treble year.
This time though, even in seven minutes of added time, there was to be no comeback.
That extra time was a result of lengthy treatment for Smith, who landed in agony after trying to block a John Arne Riise shot late in normal time.
Brentford took the Premier League scalp of Sunderland in the fourth round but fell behind to a Darren Bent goal after three minutes.
A deflected Jay Bothroyd free kick and a Bryan Hughes goal had Charlton cruising, though Isaiah Rankin’s 83rd-minute reply gave the Brentford fans something to cheer.
Bolton’s game was played against a backdrop of empty seats and the stayaway fans did well to avoid a dire contest in which neither team enough to win.
Newcastle United take on second division Southampton later on Saturday, with a further four games on Sunday, including Chelsea at home to third division Colchester.
The draw for the quarter-finals takes place on Monday.
Results:
Charlton Athletic 3 ……………Brentford 1
Liverpool 1 …………………….Manchester United 0
Bolton Wanderers 0 ……………West Ham United 0
—Reuters
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