Kenny Dalglish’s first match back as Liverpool manager ended in a 1-0 FA Cup third-round defeat by Manchester United on Sunday and, to make matters worse, captain Steven Gerrard was sent off.
Any hopes Liverpool great Dalglish, the last manager to bring the league title to Anfield in 1990, would immediately revive the squad after the six-month reign of Roy Hodgson ended on Saturday, lasted barely 35 seconds at Old Trafford.
That was how long it took United to earn a penalty scored by Ryan Giggs after striker Dimitar Berbatov was clipped in the box by Daniel Agger.
Worse followed for Dalglish when Liverpool captain Gerrard was sent-off by World Cup final referee Howard Webb for jumping into a challenge on fellow England midfielder Michael Carrick in the 32nd minute.
“I think the two decisions [the penalty and the sending off] are important factors in the game,” Dalglish said. “It’s difficult to come here and play at Manchester United, they are top of the league and a fantastic side.”
Speaking on Webb’s decision to award a penalty, Dalglish said: “I don’t think it’s a penalty kick.”
Berbatov insisted that it had been a penalty.
“Of course it was a penalty. There was enough contact for me to lose my balance and people know I do not go to ground easily,” Berbatov said.
Victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League leaders meant United, who will tackle Southampton in the next round, avoided a repeat of last season’s embarrassment when they were knocked out in the third round by then-third division side Leeds.
Elsewhere, second-tier Leicester held big-spenders Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at the Walkers Stadium.
Leicester, managed by former City and England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, made a sensational start when they took a first-minute lead through Sol Bamba.
However, goals from James Milner and Carlos Tevez appeared to have eased City into the fourth round, until a blunder from England goalkeeper Joe Hart gifted Leicester’s Andy King an equalizer.
“We came up against one of the best teams in the country, so we must be happy,” Eriksson said.
City manager Roberto Mancini, who played under Eriksson in Italy, refused to blame Hart for the draw, saying: “He has saved us a lot of times, but it’s important that we have another chance.”
FA Cup holders Chelsea, bidding to win the trophy for a third straight season, thrashed Ipswich Town 7-0 just days after the Championship club sacked Roy Keane as their manager.
Chelsea may be struggling to defend their Premier League title, but the result of this match was never in doubt after Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge both scored in the 33rd minute at Stamford Bridge to ease the pressure on beleaguered boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Carlos Edwards’ own-goal made it 3-0 before halftime and Nicolas Anelka added a fourth goal early in the second half.
England midfielder Frank Lampard piled on the misery for Ipswich with two goals in as many minutes late on.
Chelsea travel to Everton in the fourth round.
Premier League highflyers Tottenham Hotspur beat third division Charlton 3-0.
England striker Jermain Defoe, who started his career at Charlton, scored two goals in three minutes after Andros Townsend’s 20m drive broke the deadlock shortly after halftime.
Tottenham will face London rivals Fulham for a place in the fifth round.
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