sanjsingh
01-03-2010, 02:07 PM
Leeds United provided the upset of the FA Cup third round with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. A Jermaine Beckford goal gave Leeds the lead in the first half and a solid second half performance sealed their victory to dump the Premier League champions out of the FA Cup
Manchester United welcomed back Jonny Evans and Gary Neville to their defence, whilst Wes Brown was a late inclusion in the side after Nemanja Vidic pulled up after the pre-match warm up. Sir Alex Ferguson made changes in midfield with Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson, Anderson and Gabriel Obertan all starting.
Leeds United defender Leigh Bromby was unavailable through suspension, but Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio started up front for Simon Grayson’s side. Meanwhile, midfielder Richard Snodgrass returned to the squad but was only on the substitutes' bench.
The home side started well and midfielder Gibson had an early sight at goal in the second minute, the Northern Irish midfielder letting fly with a long range drive which flew inches wide.
In the sixth minute Leeds had their first chance, and it fell to their prolific striker Beckford. The forward received a cross from the right wing, spun away from Gary Neville in the box but couldn’t get his shot on target.
The game was being played at a fast pace and the next chance fell to the Red Devils. Fabio da Silva released Welbeck and the young forward delivered a great cross into the Leeds box but the unmarked Dimitar Berbatov failed to gamble and the ball rolled to safety.
Two minutes later and Beckford had a long range effort easily saved by Kuszczak but in the 18th minute the visitors sensationally took the lead.
The lethal Beckford got away from Brown and onto the end of a through ball from Jonathan Howson. His control initially took him wide in the area but he fired it under Kuszczak and the ball rolled into the back of the net for his 20th goal of the season.
Moments later and Becchio wasted a superb chance to double the visitors’ lead. A Howson cross from the right found the Argentine who outjumped his marker but headed over the bar as the home side began to wobble.
The champions, did however, look to get back into the game and Rooney had their best chance midway through the first half. Berbatov released the England striker who charged towards goal, his shot went under Kasper Ankergren and bounced goalwards but Jason Crowe made a fine last ditch block on the line to keep his side in the lead.
Crowe then turned creator as he overlapped down the right wing and crossed to the back post to find Bradley Johnson who got above Gary Neville but headed over.
The home side began to pile on the pressure with a curling effort from Rooney and an Evans header which both went just wide but Leeds went into the half time break ahead thanks to Beckford’s goal.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men started the second half on the attack and within minutes had a penalty claim turned down. Welbeck collided with Howson inside the area but the referee rightly waved away the home side's appeal.
The game began to warm up with some committed tackles being made by both sides. Wes Brown made a strong challenge on Michael Doyle which saw a huddle of players involved in some pushing and shoving and five minutes later a late challenge by Gibson earned him a yellow card whilst the Leeds captain Richard Naylor also received a booking after scything down Rooney.
Goalkeeper Ankergren then kept his side in the tie by making a great save from Welbeck minutes after the interval. Berbatov released Welbeck but his shot was tipped wide by the Danish goalkeeper.
Ferguson then opted to change things, introduced Antonia Valencia and Ryan Giggs just shy of the hour mark, replacing Welbeck and Obertan.
Yet still Leeds continued to attack with a foul by Brown on Beckford giving the visitors a free kick in the 65th minute, but Bradley Johnson’s effort was straight at Kuszczak.
With a little over 20 minutes to go Manchester United made their final substitution with Michael Owen coming on for Anderson with Rooney moving to the left wing and Giggs joining Gibson in the centre of midfield.
Almost immediately after coming on Owen had a great chance to level the scores. Rooney neatly found Valencia on the right edge of the box, the Ecuadorian in turn found Owen inside the area but he mis-kicked and the chance went begging.
The home side should stil have levelled things up, Rooney and Berbatov finding Valencia, and his pass reaching Rooney but the England international fired over the bar from 18 yards as the hosts continued to search for an equaliser.
However, Leeds almost put the tie out of reach in the 77th minute as Beckford was released into the area by Doyle and although the striker beat Kuszczak his shot was inches wide of the post.
Two minutes later and substitute Snodgrass thumped his 25 yard free kick against the bar as yet again Leeds were inches from doubling their lead.
In the third minute of injury time Ankegren made a fantastic save to deny Rooney, and although Manchester United searched for the equaliser they were unable to seriously test the Leeds goalkeeper again and the visitors recorded a memorable victory. For the champions this is the first time in 25 years they have gone out of the FA Cup in the third round.
Manchester United welcomed back Jonny Evans and Gary Neville to their defence, whilst Wes Brown was a late inclusion in the side after Nemanja Vidic pulled up after the pre-match warm up. Sir Alex Ferguson made changes in midfield with Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson, Anderson and Gabriel Obertan all starting.
Leeds United defender Leigh Bromby was unavailable through suspension, but Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio started up front for Simon Grayson’s side. Meanwhile, midfielder Richard Snodgrass returned to the squad but was only on the substitutes' bench.
The home side started well and midfielder Gibson had an early sight at goal in the second minute, the Northern Irish midfielder letting fly with a long range drive which flew inches wide.
In the sixth minute Leeds had their first chance, and it fell to their prolific striker Beckford. The forward received a cross from the right wing, spun away from Gary Neville in the box but couldn’t get his shot on target.
The game was being played at a fast pace and the next chance fell to the Red Devils. Fabio da Silva released Welbeck and the young forward delivered a great cross into the Leeds box but the unmarked Dimitar Berbatov failed to gamble and the ball rolled to safety.
Two minutes later and Beckford had a long range effort easily saved by Kuszczak but in the 18th minute the visitors sensationally took the lead.
The lethal Beckford got away from Brown and onto the end of a through ball from Jonathan Howson. His control initially took him wide in the area but he fired it under Kuszczak and the ball rolled into the back of the net for his 20th goal of the season.
Moments later and Becchio wasted a superb chance to double the visitors’ lead. A Howson cross from the right found the Argentine who outjumped his marker but headed over the bar as the home side began to wobble.
The champions, did however, look to get back into the game and Rooney had their best chance midway through the first half. Berbatov released the England striker who charged towards goal, his shot went under Kasper Ankergren and bounced goalwards but Jason Crowe made a fine last ditch block on the line to keep his side in the lead.
Crowe then turned creator as he overlapped down the right wing and crossed to the back post to find Bradley Johnson who got above Gary Neville but headed over.
The home side began to pile on the pressure with a curling effort from Rooney and an Evans header which both went just wide but Leeds went into the half time break ahead thanks to Beckford’s goal.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men started the second half on the attack and within minutes had a penalty claim turned down. Welbeck collided with Howson inside the area but the referee rightly waved away the home side's appeal.
The game began to warm up with some committed tackles being made by both sides. Wes Brown made a strong challenge on Michael Doyle which saw a huddle of players involved in some pushing and shoving and five minutes later a late challenge by Gibson earned him a yellow card whilst the Leeds captain Richard Naylor also received a booking after scything down Rooney.
Goalkeeper Ankergren then kept his side in the tie by making a great save from Welbeck minutes after the interval. Berbatov released Welbeck but his shot was tipped wide by the Danish goalkeeper.
Ferguson then opted to change things, introduced Antonia Valencia and Ryan Giggs just shy of the hour mark, replacing Welbeck and Obertan.
Yet still Leeds continued to attack with a foul by Brown on Beckford giving the visitors a free kick in the 65th minute, but Bradley Johnson’s effort was straight at Kuszczak.
With a little over 20 minutes to go Manchester United made their final substitution with Michael Owen coming on for Anderson with Rooney moving to the left wing and Giggs joining Gibson in the centre of midfield.
Almost immediately after coming on Owen had a great chance to level the scores. Rooney neatly found Valencia on the right edge of the box, the Ecuadorian in turn found Owen inside the area but he mis-kicked and the chance went begging.
The home side should stil have levelled things up, Rooney and Berbatov finding Valencia, and his pass reaching Rooney but the England international fired over the bar from 18 yards as the hosts continued to search for an equaliser.
However, Leeds almost put the tie out of reach in the 77th minute as Beckford was released into the area by Doyle and although the striker beat Kuszczak his shot was inches wide of the post.
Two minutes later and substitute Snodgrass thumped his 25 yard free kick against the bar as yet again Leeds were inches from doubling their lead.
In the third minute of injury time Ankegren made a fantastic save to deny Rooney, and although Manchester United searched for the equaliser they were unable to seriously test the Leeds goalkeeper again and the visitors recorded a memorable victory. For the champions this is the first time in 25 years they have gone out of the FA Cup in the third round.