United add to Liverpool’s woes with FA Cup victory
MANCHESTER: Manchester United deepened Liverpool’s January gloom as Bruno Fernandes’s pinpoint free kick earned his side a 3-2 win in a blockbuster FA Cup fourth-round clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Portuguese, on as a substitute, stepped up to bend a right-footed strike beyond Liverpool keeper Alisson in the 78th minute to book a last-16 tie for his side against West Ham United. Leicester City, fancied to go all the way, struck three times in the second half to win 3-1 at Championship side Brentford, while Tammy Abraham’s hattrick gave Chelsea a 3-1 victory at home to second-tier Luton Town at snowy Stamford Bridge. Burnley won 3-0 away to Fulham.
A week after Liverpool and United’s turgid 0-0 stalemate in the Premier League at Anfield, the north west rivals served up a Cup classic full of attacking football. Mohamed Salah scored both of Liverpool’s goals, the first to give his side an 18th-minute lead before Mason Greenwood levelled, and then again in the 58th minute after the outstanding Marcus Rashford had slotted United ahead.
A much-improved Liverpool looked the more likely winners but it was Fernandes, so often United’s attacking spark, who sealed it with his 28th goal for them since his debut last February. Liverpool have now won only once in seven games, although at least this display was more recognisable to the side that romped away to the English title last season. “We can take things out of this game, we try to learn from every game. It’s good for Mo Salah, good for the confidence. It was a tough game,” manager Juergen Klopp said.
Liverpool went ahead in the 18th minute—roberto Firmino slicing open United’s defence
with a superb pass to Salah. United took only eight minutes to respond. Rashford advanced before delivering a ‘quarterback style’ pass that James Milner failed to cut out. Greenwood took a touch before burying his shot past Alisson. United were ahead after the restart when Greenwood slid in Rashford who guided his shot past Alisson.
Back came Liverpool through Salah. Both sides hunted the winner but when Cavani was fouled on the edge of the area, Fernandes meted out punishment, meaning Klopp has now reached the fifth round of the Cup once in six attempts with Liverpool.