jose - soccer

Liverpool have now knocked both Manchester clubs out of cup competitions in the space of four days, which counts as success in these parts whatever the league situation. Last week Kenny Dalglish was scathing of his players' efforts in losing to lowly Bolton Wanderers, this time the smile was back, at least until he was asked a question about the Liverpool fans' constant booing of Evra. Before considering the football, what there was of it, you will be wanting to know about the chanting. Liverpool obviously won the volume contest. There were far more people singing: "There's only one lying bastard," than were rejoining with: "There's only one racist bastard." With all the pre-match debate focusing on Evra's participation, United's goalkeeping situation had been overlooked, Ferguson sprang a surprise by choosing this high-profile encounter to reintroduce David de Gea to first-team duties. It was not a decision that paid off.

Liverpool began to crowd out the young goalkeeper at corners and took the lead after 21 minutes when Steven Gerrard swung one over from the left and De Gea came for the ball but found himself blocked by Andy Carroll, leaving Daniel Agger an easy header. United had begun the match looking the more threatening, with Antonio Valencia striking a post after a good run, though until the first goal there was little apart from the rivalry between fans to quicken the pulse and almost no chance of the occasion being remembered for the football, as had been the wish of both managers beforehand. Playing with only Carroll up front Liverpool rarely bothered De Gea apart from set pieces, and though United also lacked their usual attacking edge in the absence of Wayne Rooney they managed to get back into the game with a well-worked goal before the interval. Antonio Valencia sent Rafael da Silva racing down the right with a backheel flick and, though José Enrique was still favourite to reach the ball first, the United full-back took on his opposite number and delivered a low cross, met perfectly at the near post by Park Ji-sung with a firm finish that surprised Pepe Reina.

Liverpool had an appeal for a penalty turned down at the start of the second half when Chris Smalling stumbled in the area and appeared to put his hand on the ball in falling, then a minute later a rare chance fell Danny Welbeck's way and he failed to take advantage, pushing the ball past Reina towards an empty goal but not firmly enough to prevent Martin Skrtel arriving to tidy up behind his goalkeeper. Charlie Adam came on for the last half-hour and immediately offered a more direct threat than Jamie Carragher had managed from defensive midfield, launching a high cross intended to test De Gea and presumably gaining encouragement when the goalkeeper fumbled it to concede another corner. When Gerrard tried the same tactic from a similar distance it was clear Liverpool had been instructed to play on De Gea, though the Liverpool captain left the field shortly afterwards, making way for Craig Bellamy. Just when it looked as though the afternoon would end in a tame draw, Liverpool struck. (guardian.co.uk)

Gerrard was replaced by Liverpool's midweek hero Craig Bellamy with just under 20 minutes to go as both sides pressed for a winner. The game looked to be heading towards a draw until Kuyt — another second-half sub — became the hero with his first goal of the season. Reina's long boot forward was flicked on by Carroll over the head of Evra and the Dutch striker found himself clear through on goal to fire past De Gea at his near post. Kuyt should have put the game to bed moments later after Carroll had hit the bar but it wasn't to matter for the Reds who can now look forward to Sunday's draw. (thesun.co.uk)

Watford are likely to start with Adrian Mariappa and Marvin Sordell who have both been linked with a move away from Vicarage Road in January. Sean Dyche has rid them of the ‘hoofball’ stereotype from Aidy Boothroyd’s tenure, but they are a side that can still exploit that side of the game should Spurs be resistant to a measured build-up play by the hosts. Tottenham should be set to play a second XI, with some youngsters mixed with the regular substitutes who are trying to prove a point. Defoe could be given the nod to start, but Scott Parker, Gareth Bale and Younes Kaboul are unlikely to feature. Tottenham will probably look to utilise their pace and technical ability to break through the home side’s defence as they try to avoid a replay. (sportpulse.net)

Harry Redknapp took a break from denying two counts of cheating the public revenue to watch his Tottenham Hotspur team progress rather fortuitously to the FA Cup fifth round. Redknapp, who has a further five days at least at Southwark crown court while his case continues, had been unable to take training all week and there was evidence in a lax display that his squad may have missed his exhortations at their Spurs Lodge base in the build-up to this tie.

Watford had written the tale of the first half, with Spurs' contribution barely a footnote until Rafael van der Vaart scored. Taking the ball from Kyle Walker inside home territory, the Dutchman wandered towards goal and from 30 yards unloaded a shot that bounced over the prone Scott Loach, who will be disappointed. Marvin Sordell had given Spurs an early warning as to what kind of evening to expect but troubled the visiting defence far less than the Sean Murray attempt moments later that had Carlo Cudicini unable to hold on to the ball before it was scrambled away to safety.

Redknapp had fielded a strong XI that included Luka Modric, Emmanuel Adebayor, Van der Vaart, Jermain Defoe, Michael Dawson and Scott Parker. They woke up momentarily after 13 minutes when Adebayor shrugged off Lee Hodson, the home right-back, and bounced a pass into Walker on the opposing flank who floated in a cross that the Togolese forward was crowded out from finishing by a clutch of Watford defenders. This was about as good as it got for Spurs until Van der Vaart's intervention. The hosts continued to worry Cudicini: Troy Deeney moved down the right and pinged in a cross that Sordell put wide; then a midfield mix-up allowed Prince Buaben to send an effort narrowly wide. There was more. Joe Garner, playing off Sordell in Watford's attack, dumped Van der Vaart to ground, then played in a pass to his strike partner that Walker had to clean up. (guardian.co.uk)

Lying low in the Championship, Watford so nearly embarrassed a team flying high in the Premier League in a thrilling FA Cup tie. Spurs were as poor as Watford were good but Rafael van der Vaart’s strike still sent Harry Redknapp’s side through into the fifth round. Spurs were grateful to Lady Luck and a Dutchman. As Watford fans screamed themselves hoarse, Sean Dyche’s men delivered a performance in the very best traditions of the Cup. Marvin Sordell, one of six Watford Academy products on view, was marvellous, running Spurs defence ragged, justifying the good reviews he has received this season. (telegraph.co.uk)