Luis Suarez's controversial strike and Daniel Sturridge's debut goal gave Liverpool a narrow 2-1 victory in their FA Cup third-round tie at minnows Mansfield on Sunday.
Sturridge, a £12million buy from Chelsea a few days ago, wasted no time in getting off the mark and helping the Reds into the fourth round - and another tricky trip to Oldham - at the expense of their non-league opponents.
The Blue Square Bet Conference side had their moments, notably at the start of the second half, before Suarez further crushed their hopes in the 59th minute - and not without controversy.
If a contentious handball had been spotted then perhaps Matt Green's 79th-minute strike might have forced a lucrative replay at Anfield, but it was not to be.
Earlier in the day, Danny Graham was again Swansea's last-gasp hero as his late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal ensured a replay will be needed to settle their tie.
Michu, who settled last month's league meeting between the sides, had looked to again be Arsenal's downfall as he gave Swansea the lead just 73 seconds after coming on as a second-half substitute.
But two goals in three minutes from Lukas Podolski and Kieran Gibbs put the Gunners on course to advance, only for Graham, who scored a late leveller against Aston Villa in midweek, to rifle home with three minutes left.
FA Cup fourth-round draw:
Norwich v Luton
Oldham v Liverpool
Macclesfield v Wigan/Bournemouth
Derby v Blackburn
Hull/Leyton Orient v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Aldershot
Millwall v Aston Villa
Leeds/Birmingham v Tottenham
Brighton v Swansea/Arsenal
Crystal Palace/Stoke v Manchester City
West Ham/Manchester United v Fulham/Blackpool
Southend/Brentford v Chelsea
Reading v Sheffield United
Huddersfield v Leicester
QPR/West Brom v Sheffield Wednesday/MK Dons
Bolton/Sunderland v Cheltenham/Everton
Click here for completely free £10 bet with Sky Bet & £5 free every week
Post Comment
