Sunday, 14/11/2010
Third-tier Leeds United produced the shock of the third round by knocking record 11-times winners Manchester United out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Leeds, the League One leaders who are 43 places below English champions Manchester United, won thanks to Jermaine Beckford’s 19th minute goal.
But FA Cup holders Chelsea, who lead the Premier League by two points from Manchester United, cruised into the fourth round draw with a 5-0 thrashing of second division Watford later on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.
Defeat was the first time Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had lost in the third round, the stage at which teams from England’s top two divisions enter the knockout tournament, since he arrived at Old Trafford 24 years ago.
Not since 1984, when beaten by third tier Bournemouth, had Manchester United lost at this stage of the competition.
Victory was also Leeds’s first win at Old Trafford since 1981.
Their goal came after Jonny Howson’s superb 50-yard pass over the head of Wes Brown found striker Beckford and he outpaced the defender before sliding the ball left-footed into the far corner and beyond goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
“The preparation for the game was very good, but I’m shocked by the performance,” said Ferguson.
“We didn’t start right and Leeds did start right,” the 68-year-old added.
“They fought like tigers, and we expect that with any team coming to Old Trafford for an FA Cup tie. It’s a disappointment.”
This loss was not what United wanted ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final, first leg, tie against local rivals Manchester City and Ferguson said: “We have to get this result out of our system as quickly as possible.
Leeds manager Simon Grayson hailed his “outstanding” side after they produced one of the great FA Cup shocks.
“Full credit to the players who were outstanding today but it’s what they’ve been like all season,” he said.
Chelsea were 3-0 in front by the 22nd minute thanks to Daniel Sturridge, a John Eustace own-goal and Florent Malouda’s deflected shot.
England midfielder Frank Lampard made it 4-0 in the 64th minute with a 25-yard strike and four minutes later 20-year-old striker Sturridge had his second and Chelsea’s fifth goal.
Sunday’s all second-tier Championship clash between Sheffield United and QPR ended in a 1-1 draw.
Jay Simpson gave QPR the lead but it lasted just six minutes, with Richard Cresswell equalising for the Blades.
Arsenal were in action later on Sunday away to Premier League rivals West Ham while Wolves faced League One side Tranmere Rovers in the weekend’s final third round tie after the match between Notts County and non-league Forest Green was postponed because of a frozen pitch. — AFP
Tags: Chelsea, English FA Cup, FA Cup 2009/10, Manchester United, Match Review
