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On Saturday, three matches of the 5th round of the English Football Association (FA) Cup were played, while one is still ongoing. After the matches, two teams have secured their spots in the next round, while at least one match will have to be replayed.
In the central match, Liverpool defeated Man Utd 1-0 at home and for the first time in 85 years eliminated their opponents from the cup competition. The only goal of the match was scored by striker Peter Crouch in the 19th minute.
In a packed Anfield stadium, the hosts started more actively, trying to break through the Man Utd defense with high passes. A particularly dangerous header from Harry Kewell was well saved by the reliable Edwin van der Sar. However, a few minutes later, the Dutch had to pick the ball out of the net, as Crouch headed the ball into the corner of the goal after a precise pass from the right flank.
Man Utd tried to respond quickly, but due to a solid Liverpool defense, threats to Jose Reina's goal were very rare. The hosts had several opportunities at the end of the first half but failed to score a second goal.
In the second half, Man Utd made great efforts to equalize, but Rafa Benitez's players played disciplined defense and did not allow the opponents to create any clear-cut chances. The hosts were also not defensively rigid and had several chances to increase their lead. Despite all attempts, the result remained unchanged, and Liverpool clinched a deserved victory.
In another match, Charlton comfortably defeated Brentford 3-1 at home. The hosts took the lead in the 3rd minute with a powerful strike by Darren Bent. Just before the end of the first half, Jay Bothroyd doubled the advantage with a penalty kick, and Bryan Hughes scored the final goal in the 62nd minute. However, the visitors managed to score a consolation goal towards the end of the match.
Newcastle also secured a victory and a spot in the next round by narrowly beating Southampton at home. The winning goal for Newcastle, who wasted numerous chances and hit the woodwork twice, was scored by Kieron Dyer in the middle of the second half.
Meanwhile, the match between two Premier League clubs, Bolton and West Ham, ended goalless at 0-0. In such cases, according to the FA Cup rules, extra time is not played, but the match is replayed a few days later.
Saturday's results:
- Liverpool 1 - 0 Man Utd
- 19' [1 - 0] Peter Crouch
- Bolton 0 - 0 West Ham
- Charlton 3 - 1 Brentford
- 3' [1 - 0] Darren Bent
- 45' [2 - 0] Jay Bothroyd
- 62' [3 - 0] Bryan Hughes
- 83' [3 - 1] Isaiah Rankin
- Newcastle 1 - 0 Southampton
- 68' [1 - 0] Kieron Dyer
