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Liverpool Triumph in Anfield Thriller
What a day for Liverpool. Sweet revenge for their recent Premiership defeat at Old Trafford, the perfect response to Gary Nevilles ill-judged and provocative goal celebrations on that occasion, and a landmark F.A. Cup victory over their bitter rivals the first for more than 80 years. But ultimately it was a game marred by a sickening injury to United substitute Alan Smith, who fractured a leg after throwing himself at Riises late free kick.
In the first half in particular, Liverpool controlled the game, their dominance secured by a solid performance at the back and the ability of Sissoko, Hamann and Gerrard to deny the opposition possession and creativity in midfield. With Rooney looking unhappy on the right, Ronaldo indulging in multiple stepovers and theatrical dives on the left and a central midfield which, for all Giggs experience, lacked punch, Van Nistelrooy cut a lonely and ineffectual figure up front.
Meanwhile, Liverpool used their territorial superiority to good effect, pressing forward on the flanks and winning a number of corners and free kicks. Kewells header from Gerrards free kick from the left in the 17th minute brought an outstanding save from Van der Saar, but a minute later a cross from the opposite flank gave Crouch the opportunity to send a header beyond the goalkeepers despairing dive and in off the post.
It was a deserved lead and although the appearance of Saha (a substitute for Silvestre) helped United to come into the game a little after the interval, and quite a lot in the last 15 minutes, Liverpool never looked in real danger of conceding.
The final phase of the match was marked by the tragic injury to Smith, who had been one of several substitutions by both managers. As soon as he crumpled to the ground, the players knew that it was serious and the game was held up for around 7 minutes while medical staff from both sides attended before he was carried carefully from the field, to be replaced by J S Park as United battled unsuccessfully through stoppage time in search of the equalizer which would take the tie back to Old Trafford.
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