In years to come they will still talk about this match.
The match where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the winner in stoppage time to
complete one of the most remarkable Manchester United's comebacks ever.
Liverpool were just two minutes away from a famous FA Cup triumph after
Michael Owen had scored in the third minute. For 88 minutes they had withstood
everything United could throw at them including two chances when Roy Keane hit
the post.
But just when it seemed the visitors would end their 78-year long wait to beat
United in the FA Cup, Andy Cole fed Dwight Yorke to score the equaliser. If that
were not cruel enough on Liverpool, substitute Solskjaer popped up in the first
minute of stoppage time to send the Old Trafford faithful into heaven.
It was a fantastic game which, unlike previous meetings between these two
fiercest of rivals, lived up to its billing.
United boss Alex Ferguson had predicted a real belter of a game and his
forecast proved correct as this fourth round tie had everything. Unfortunately
for Liverpool that included a loser and full credit to them for playing their
part in such a memorable clash.
They had made a dream start when Owen headed them in front in the third
minute. Jamie Redknapp released Vegard Heggem down the right and his cross was
glanced home by the unmarked Owen for his 18th goal of the season.
United were clearly rattled and they needed the next few minutes to gather
their senses. Once they did they piled on the pressure on Liverpool's makeshift
defence. Steve Harkness and Dominic Matteo partnered Jamie Carragher at the
heart of the defence in the absence of the suspended Phil Babb and injured Steve
Staunton.
Skipper Paul Ince was on guard duty just in front of them, but on 22 minutes
this red line was almost breached. David Beckham released Yorke on the right
with a neat flick and David James could only touch the striker's cross onto the
head of Roy Keane. Keane's header struck the inside of the near post and Ince
hoofed the ball off the line with United claiming it had crossed the line.
It was all United and the recalled Gary Neville, playing at right back rather
than centre-half where he did such an excellent job on Owen when the sides last
met, was causing Liverpool problems raiding down the flank.
Liverpool were still dangerous and Redknapp drove a 25-yard free-kick just the
wrong side of Peter Schmeichel's upright. Yorke was looking impressive in this
battle of the hottest strikers in the Premiership and he found Ryan Giggs with a
great ball on 32 minutes. Cole brought Giggs' high ball down, but his shot was
blocked for a corner.
Owen gave United a scare when he outpaced Jaap Stam and shot just across
Schmeichel's goal. Fowler was just as lively as his strike partner and he curled
a speculative effort just past the post. For the main, though, it was United
doing most of the attacking.
They were camped outside the Liverpool box as they tried in vain to find a way
through the mass of white shirts. United were becoming more desperate and five
minutes before half-time they appealed more in hope than in expectation for a
penalty for handball against Carragher.
Liverpool looked threatening on the break and just before the interval
Schmeichel parried Patrik Berger's near-post shot away for a corner. And from
the resultant set-piece, Ince sent a downward header bouncing into the grateful
arms of Schmeichel.
Nicky Butt, who had an absolute stinker in the first-half, was much improved
in the second and he released Cole through the middle only for James to rush out
and hack the ball clear. Giggs claimed he had been pulled back when he failed to
convert Beckham's cross, but referee Graham Poll was unmoved.
Owen continued to harass United's defence and from one attack he went between
Keane and Irwin before setting up Fowler in a great position, but he fired wide.
Still United pushed, but still the equaliser would not come. United thought it
had in the 61st minute when Keane's drive took a deflection and appeared to be
bouncing past the stranded James and into the net, only for it to go wide for a
corner.
Giggs and Beckham were playing as two extra strikers as United increased the
pressure on Liverpool's creaking defence. Once again United thought they had
made the breakthrough when Cole's deflected shot appeared goalbound, but it bent
just over the bar.
United's growing frustration was eloquently summed up by Keane who chopped
down Redknapp and was duly booked. As the game entered the final quarter, United
brought on Paul Scholes for Butt. Liverpool were riding their luck now and James
saved Matteo's attempt to cut out a backpass.
The battle-weary Ince was replaced by Jason McAteer as Liverpool tried to hold
out. The normally-accurate Scholes drove over from a great opportunity before
the woodwork denied Keane in the 80th minute when he fired against the inside of
the post.
United played their final two cards when they brought on Solskjaer and Ronny
Johnsen with 10 minutes remaining. Ferguson's last throw of the dice worked as
United finally breached Liverpool's defence.
First, Cole knocked back Beckham's disputed free-kick for Yorke to score from
close range. Then Scholes fed Solskjaer and the Norwegian international netted
to break of the heart of every Liverpool player and fan.
Teams
Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville (Solskjaer 81),
Berg (Johnsen 81), Stam, Irwin, Beckham, Butt (Scholes 68),
Keane, Giggs, Cole, Yorke.
Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, P. Neville.
Booked: Butt, Keane, Giggs, Scholes.
Goals: Yorke 88, Solskjaer 90.
Liverpool: James, Heggem, Harkness, Matteo, Carragher, Bjornebye,
Redknapp, Ince (McAteer 71), Berger, Owen, Fowler.
Subs Not Used: Kvarme, McManaman, Leonhardsen, Friedel.
Booked: Matteo, Owen.
Goals: Owen 3.
Att: 54,591
Ref: G Poll (Tring).
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