Cup Kings Clatter King Kenny

Kenny Dalglish suffered a horrible return to the Liverpool managers post after his ten men were dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle via a questionable 30 second Ryan Giggs penalty.

Ryan Giggs slots home from the spot after just 30 seconds

Howard Webb was at the centre of the third round storm at Old Trafford with the referee awarding Dimitar Berbatov a dubious spot-kick in the opening exchanges after falling inside the area under a challenge from Daniel Agger – which replays appeared to show their was very little or no contact.

But veteran midfielder Giggs  smashed home from 12-yards to put Sir Alex Ferguson’s side ahead to begin a miserable afternoon for Dalglish.

Liverpool’s horror was further compounded on 32 minutes when captain Steven Gerrard was dismissed following a reckless challenge on Michael Carrick – but a big decision from Webb which again caused a lively debate on and off the field.

United were unfortunate not to double their lead late in the first-half, after Jonny Evans saw his head crash against the post, and after the hour mark when they found Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina in inspired form to deny them a hat-trick of chances with a succession of outstanding saves.

Liverpool’s best chance on goal came from a second-half Fabio Aureilo free-kick which was expertly tipped round the post by United ‘keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

It took United some time to re-establish dominance, although when they did, two blocked shots, for Berbatov and Rafael, rejected penalty appeals for Jonny Evans and Giggs, both far more plausible than the one Webb gave, plus an excellent save from Reina to deny Patrice Evra, were scant reward for a thrilling melee.

The sight of Michael Owen being introduced for United 16 minutes from time just added another surreal dimension to an amazing day.

There was no goal for Owen against his old club, as Anderson and Evra went closest to increasing United’s advantage before the final whistle.

United will now face Southampton which is a replay of the 1976 cup final which Southampton won 1-0, which was one of the biggest upsets in English Football.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.