Scolari’s stock will rise significantly if Liverpool are mastered

SO another obstacle overcome with only a modicum of discomfort: yet another goal conceded from a set-piece. Scolari must be very grateful indeed to Lampard as his amazing strike may have distracted the supporters enough to realise that the game itself was yet another insipid display against inferior opposition.

But a win is a win is a win and another replay could have meant more injuries. One person who probably wasn’t happy at the final whistle on Saturday was Michael Mancienne. He’s gone out on loan to Wolves, impressed not only fans and management at Wanderers but managed to come to the notice of the England manager and everything was looking rosy.

He was recalled, one would think to take an active part in the first team squad, and then the perfect opportunity presents itself for some first team action. The centre-back gets injured in an FA Cup game against the kind of opposition that Mancienne has been playing against all season — a no brainer you would have thought.