Crouch header bound for history books as Reds win v United

FT: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 0

Peter Crouch’s first-half header was enough to settle a pulsating FA Cup fifth-round collision at Anfield.

Manchester United, who fought back bravely after being dominated in the first half, lost substitute Alan Smith with what looked like a bad injury in the final minutes.

Liverpool were put under considerable pressure, but managed to hold out through seven minutes of injury time for their first FA Cup win over United for 85 years.

Crouch needed six stitches in a head wound before the Kop were delighted when Neville was booked on 73 minutes for a foul on Kewell. Vidic soon followed for bringing down Luis Garcia.

United replaced Darren Fletcher with Alan Smith before the free-kick could be taken.

Kewell was booked after 78 minutes for a retaliatory foul on Neville as United started to put Liverpool under pressure. Van Nistelrooy set up Giggs for a 20-yard shot which went just over the angle.

After 82 minutes Liverpool sent on the more defensive Jan Kromkamp for Kewell, and referee Webb pointedly signalled to his fourth officials that objects were being thrown at Neville, who looked to be picking up coins around him. Djibril Cisse replaced Crouch after 88 minutes.

With a minute left Smith went down in agony, having landed badly on his left ankle as he blocked a shot. The former Leeds man was carried off on a stretcher after several minutes’ treatment, the injury looking a bad one.