AFP, February 18, 2006
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Peter Crouch ended Liverpool's 85-year wait for an FA Cup triumph over bitter rivals Manchester United with the first-half header that ensured a 1-0 win at Anfield.
The reward for Rafael Benitez's side was a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2001 while for United the loss was compounded by the broken leg suffered by England international Alan Smith.
Tensions had been inflamed before this meeting of English football's two most successful clubs following United captain Gary Neville's over-zealous goal celebrations in the recent league encounter, where Rio Ferdinand's last-minute header secured a 1-0 win for Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
European champions Liverpool, three points behind second-placed United in the Premiership, were seeking retribution for Neville's triumphalism, and did so in the most effective way possible.
They dominated a hopelessly disjointed United side and a comprehensive victory was capped by Crouch's eighth goal of the season.
Liverpool had far too much guile, power and know-how for a patched-up United that rarely threatened to haul themselves back into the game after England striker Crouch had nudged the Merseysiders into the lead.
And United's disappointing afternoon went from bad to worse when second-half substitute Smith was stretchered off with a broken leg and dislocated ankle after falling awkwardly while attempting to block John Arne Riise's shot.
Smith's hopes of a place in England's World Cup squad now appear to be at risk and Ferguson said: "He has broken his leg and dislocated the ankle joint.
"It is a bad one. He has gone to hospital, it looks very long term - it is one of the worst I have seen. I am sure he will be back," the United boss added.
Meanwhile Benitez said: "We are all so sorry for Smith, it is a great pity such things happen and we all wish him good luck.
"As a manager you do not want to see any player hurt. But sadly this is football and I can only offer my concern and just enjoy the victory with my team and our fans."
Ferguson, reflecting on the match overall, said: "Liverpool can play for only five minutes and win the game, that is the way they are.
"They pump the ball into the box and with good set-piece delivery they keep you under pressure and they keep such a tight ship at the back."
With United offering little midfield resistance, Liverpool quickly laid siege to Edwin van der Sar's goal with captain Steven Gerrard and Australia's Harry Kewell attacking at will down either flank.
The warning signs for United were there when Wes Brown sliced Kewell's teasing low cross inches over his own cross bar after just 11 minutes.
Then just eight minutes later Benitez's men were ahead after they had twice exposed the aerial weakness of the visiting defence.
A clumsy challenge by Darren Fletcher on Kewell allowed Gerrard to float in a free-kick towards Kewell and his flicked header was denied only by van der Sar's full length dive.
But the keeper was less fortunate from the resulting corner when Crouch escaped the attentions of marker Nemanja Vidic and sent a header against the inside of the post and in for his first goal of 2006.
The goal was just reward for Liverpool's early dominance and they should have had a second when Steve Finnan volleyed into the side-netting after Ryan Giggs had brought down Kewell on the edge of the box.
United's efforts gathered more momentum after the break and Finnan was forced into a desperate clearance to ensure Neville's right wing cross didn't reach the lurking Ruud van Nistelrooy.
But, apart from a late shot from Giggs, they were unable to create sufficient openings to claw their way back into the game allowing Liverpool to travel to Portugal for next week's Champions League clash with Benfica safe in the knowledge their FA Cup hopes are still alive.
Liverpool's Steve Finnan(L) challenges Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo during their English FA Cup soccer match against Liverpool in Liverpool.
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Impossible is nothing, so does a 85-years' unbeaten record. The world has changed so much, so does football. The sun is smiling and shining brightly. :)
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