Manchester United vs. Liverpool FA Cup: Talking Points

Gerrard Red Card
Our usual readers will be accustomed to an in depth match report that address key action points from start to finish – however we going to try a slightly different route and look at some talking points of the game, with a brief conclusion at the end of the post. We hope that some of our talking points will have you debating openly about key incidents and what your opinion is. We welcome an open debate but will not tolerate insults that aren’t relevant to the topic in question. If you disagree with anything that is written here, we would love to hear about it in the comments box below.

So to the match, Kenny Dalglish returned to the Liverpool hotseat for the first time in twenty years but things couldn’t have got off to a worst start with Ryan Giggs converting a second minute penalty – which proved to be the only goal of the game. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was sent off half way through the first half for a two footed lunge on Michael Carrick, however United failed to convert any more chances and make their numerical advantage pay off. United have been drawn away against Southampton in the 4th round.

Talking Points

Dimitar Berbatov foul for penalty

So was it or wasn’t it a penalty? When I first saw the incident I of course felt it was a penalty. Looking at television replays later on it was clear that there was minimal contact on the Bulgarian, however Agger did attempt to tackle him, didn’t win the ball and Berbatov took a tumble following the challenge. It was a weak penalty to concede, however I can see why Howard Webb gave the decision based upon the challenge from the Dane.

It reminded me of the penalty that Michael Owen won when England took on Argentina in the 2002 World Cup finals. Owen ‘invited’ the challenge and when contact was made he took a tumble and won the penalty. If you’re a fan of the team awarded the penalty then you put it down to experience, but if you’re on the receiving end you call if diving. I’ve always had this debate about diving vs. using experience and in some case there is a fine line. I do not condone blatant diving and believe that simulation should be banished from the game altogether, but I feel that ‘inviting a foul’ is something different – which is what Dimitar Berbatov did today. I do see why Liverpool fans believed it shouldn’t have been given because it was a ‘soft’ penalty – but Agger has made the challenged, touched Berbatov and the inevitable was given.

Berbatov was quoted as saying:

“Of course it was a penalty. There was contact, enough to make me lose my balance and fall on the ground. People who know me know I don’t go down that easily so I think it was a fair decision.”

Liverpool manager Dalglish felt the penalty was a ‘joke’:

“The penalty is a joke. I’ve seen the replay and unless the rules have changed it is no penalty.”

Steven Gerrard Sending off

The Liverpool captain can have no argument about getting sent off at Old Trafford. He lunged in on Michael Carrick following a loose ball from Rafael. Two feet, off the ground – the Liverpool skipper could have done some damage on Carrick. Kenny Dalglish’s reaction after viewing the video replay said it all, as he quietly returned to the dugout without a hint of a protest. However, after the match the Liverpool boss didn’t believe it was a sending off:

“The other one, I cannot see that as a red card either.”

Gerrard Sending off - Foul on Carrick

The picture above shows Gerrard off the ground with both feet, with Michael Carrick sliding in and winning the ball. There is no doubt in my mind Howard Webb made the right call on this one.

Jonny Evans Performance

Jonny Evans has come into some harsh criticism over the past ten months, especially considering the youngster is still learning his trade. A regular feature at the start of the season, Evans hasn’t featured for the first xi since the 4-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham United – where United were defensively all over the place. His last start in the league came in the 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers where Evans was targeted as United’s weak link.

However, today’s performance should fill the youngster with much confidence as he marshaled Fernando Torres magnificently (even prior to the sending off) and nearly found himself on the scoresheet at the end of the first half. His reading of the game, interceptions and ability to step into midfield demonstrated the quality he has and how he can step up to the plate in the absence of Vidic or Ferdinand. A very solid and impressive performance from Evans.

Michael Carrick’s passing

If it was down to me, I would have given Carrick MOTM today, I thought he was exceptional. Operating deeper than Fletcher and Anderson (when the Brazilian came on), Carrick’s distribution was excellent all afternoon. Short passes and ball retention were not a problem, whilst switching play from right to left was a regular occurrence – even long range passing to find Giggs or Nani, Carrick was superb all afternoon. Doron had blogged at the start of the month on Carrick’s performance from a slightly deeper role and the impact he has on the side with his distribution.

Carrick has a single assist to his name and is yet to find the back of the net this season, however his contribution to the team overall was pivotal to the success of United over Liverpool today.

Match Conclusion

United deserved the victory without even breaking a sweat – something that could have backfired if Liverpool had of been a little more clinical in front of goal. Liverpool came to Old Trafford playing a 4-1-4-1 formation and confined the space in between the defense and midfield, where Lucas was mainly operating. It was a compact style of play that restricted the hosts in the first half – even after the dismissal of Steven Gerrard. The second half saw a flurry of United attacks, which called upon Pepe Reina to make a number of saves from Rafael, Evra and Berbatov. The winning goal was debatable and if it were the other way around I would feel that it was a ‘soft’ penalty to concede, however I do understand why Howard Webb gave it and disagree immensely with Ryan Babel’s comments and accusation that he is somewhat biased towards United.

Southampton are up next for United in the 4th round of the FA Cup. United have traveled twice in the past six seasons to St Mary’s, winning 4-0 in 2005 and 3-0 in 2009.

7 Comments on Manchester United vs. Liverpool FA Cup: Talking Points

  1. Pretty much agree with everything you’ve mentioned, especially your comments about Carrick – he’s proving phenomenal in the deeper role, and although this means he’s not getting into positions to score I think he’s been the rock in our midfield that’s allowed us to win so many ‘scrappy’ games this season. It’s almost the opposite of Song at Arsenal, who’s been allowed to come forward more this season. There’s so much talk of bringing in someone like Diarra but I don’t think it’s necessary, even Barcelona’s Xavi – World Player of the Year – rates Carrick and says he’s a “complete footballer”…

  2. You should have a maybe option on Evans. One good performance against a mediocre at best Liverpool does not make up for all the times he has been at fault for numerous goals this season.Great performance from the team as whole yesterday. Hope they could take that sort of performance away with them to Spurs next weekend. Ha watching Giggs turning lads inside out on the wing yesterday would bring a tear to glass eye. Still has it after all these years. Oh and Gerrard has been getting away with that sort of tackle for years. He never seemed to throw himself about when Keano was on the pitch. Hard me bollox…

  3. Penalty: No. A United fan but for me that “play” from Berbatov and its ilk is and will always be a dive.

    Red card: Yes, correct decision.

    Evans: He has potential, but I don’t know what I think of his mental strength.

    Carrick: He was good and solid, but I wasn’t especially awed by his performance.

  4. Carrick is becoming the modern day Ray Wilkins, 80% of his passes are sideways, and the times he does venture forward his pace, of which he was never blessed with much, catches him out as he’s constantly successfully tackled in the opposition third. His range of passing is only a success when he’s in our half or at best around the halfway line. The time is long overdue to replace him.

  5. Thanks for the comments lads, good stuff all round.

    Brian – yes you’re right I should have included a ‘maybe’ option. Hopefully it didn’t appear that I was jumping the gun with Evans, as I totally agree that one good game doesn’t mean he can forgot some of his performances that were below what is expected. I thought he was awful in the defeat to West Ham, but the old saying ‘you are only as good as your last game’ – springs to mind.

    Ian – Good comments and yes, I do think he did go to ground very easy. Can I ask you on ‘using experience’ vs. ‘diving’ and where you stand on it? Thin line? No line? Only diving?

    Kevin – I see where you are coming from, but his ball retention (which does mean that he plays sideways/backwards at times) is superb. His distribution forward (on Sunday) I thought was good, placing a glorious pass (if I remember rightly) to Giggs in the first half from deep. Who would you like to see brought in as a replacement?

  6. “Can I ask you on ‘using experience’ vs. ‘diving’ and where you stand on it? Thin line? No line? Only diving?”

    I’m torn between what I think about going to ground and my feelings on pragmatism.

    The former tells me that you should ALWAYS stay on your feet is possible and that, in turn, referees should sometimes be more prepared to give penalties when a player hasn’t gone down. I think this is what’s made Rooney turned to taking a tumble more often, he used to stay upright most of the time and get denied penalties because of it. But so far as I’m concerned players need to stay on their feet if possible and referees need to be aware that a player who hasn’t gone down might still have been fouled.

    But my pragmatic side says that, hey, everybody’s doing it and technically if you’re down by contact it is what it is, regardless of how much contact there was.

    Tackling is becoming a lost art and the only way to save it is to bring in video replays for big decisions (penalties and red cards) and not be quite so stringent with players who have taken the ball. If you half a guy and get the ball then fine, that’s a foul. If you get a good bit of the ball and the player happens to fall in the process then as far as I’m concerned it should be fair game.

    To sum up, I feel conflicted on the issue but mostly I reckon the questions could be solved using technology and relaxing the laws a touch.

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