FOOTBALL Live

Sunday January 4, 2009 Finished

0 - 3

Southampton

Manchester United

  • Welbeck 19’
  • Nani 48’ (pen.)
  • Gibson 80’
  1. Southampton no match for United

    Southampton no match for United

    Two controversial goals saw Manchester United ease to a comfortable 3-0 victory at 10-man Southampton in the FA Cup. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Southampton
    • Manchester United
    • - Thanks for joining me this evening; make sure you stick around for all the latest FA Cup news.
    • 90+2 FULL-TIME: United close out a very comfortable victory to book a visit of Spurs in the next round. A very uneven contest, marked with two controversial goals and a red card.
    • 90 United are searching for a fourth to add some gloss to the scoreline...Perry gets a head on a United effort, the ball flying narrowly wide.
    • 88 Southampton will rightly complain about two very controversial goals this afternoon, but they have been comprehensively outplayed.
    • 87 OFFSIDE! Rooney is a yard offside as he darts onto Berbatov's clever through-ball... Davis saved his low effort anyway.
    • 85 A lucky deflection helps Nani to the by-line...but his cross is headed clear inside the six-yard box by Perry.
    • 84 United are knocking the ball about with confidence and a swagger as they try to close out this match.
    • 83 Berbatov skillfully lofts the ball over the top for Rooney...the England man is about to unleash an effort...but Lancashire blocks well.
    • 82 CLOSE! Anderson sends a low fizzer narrowly wide of the post as he looks for his first Manchester United goal.
    • 80 GOAL! Rooney gets free down the left...draws the keeper before clipping the ball into the middle for the unmarked Gibson to lash home from six yards out!
    • 79 Rooney and Nani break free down the right...Nani has men to pick out in the middle, but his cross is tame and Davis claims easily.
    • 78 Berbatov and Gibson try some intricate stuff on the right-edge of the Saints box, but they can't get the ball into the middle.
    • 77 This game really is drifting now...no-one is able to take it by the scruff of the neck.
    • 76 United win another corner when Gibson's attempted cross is deflected behind at the near post...defended well by Southampton.
    • 74 OOH! O'Shea blasts over the bar as Nani gets to the by-line and lofts the ball back to him 10 yards out!
    • 73 POOR EFFORT! Nani steps up...and curls his effort a few yards over the bar...not a clever effort.
    • 72 James is booked for bringing down Berbatov on the edge of the box as the United striker almost got away and in a shooting position...great chance for Nani to get a shot in with the free-kick though...
    • 71 Rooney gets in behind but is forced wide...he picks out Berbatov in the box, who lays the ball back to Gibson...sliced over the bar.
    • 70 Rooney tries to whip up some enthusiasm in his team-mates, who have gone a little flat with this game well and truly won.
    • 69 Saints sub: Smith is replaced by Lee Holmes; the midfielder can't run off the knock he picks up.
    • 68 Rooney is almost set free down the middle by Berbatov's through ball but Davis acts as sweeper and clears, well outside his own box.
    • 66 Ryan Smith is off the pitch receiving some treatment; he is helped to his feet by the physio, but doesn't look in great shape.
    • 65 AWFUL MISS! Rooney has a golden chance to make it 3-0 as he springs the off-side trap before hooking a left-foot shot well wide of the far post as Davis came out to close the angle.
    • 63 UNITED SUB: Rooney comes on to replace Wellbeck, who makes a highly-respectable FA Cup debut.
    • 62 Rooney is preparing to come on for United; possibly for Wellbeck, who was injured in the first half.
    • 61 ACROBATIC! Nani hits the post with a scissor-kick from a tight angle after his original cross from the by-line had been deflected back into his path.
    • 60 So, it looks like Manchester United will be facing Tottenham at Old Trafford in the next round. Great tie, that one.
    • 59 The game has just broken up a bit with those substitutions; it will take a while to settle down again.
    • 58 United's two new Serbian recruits, Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic, are in the crowd tonight.
    • 57 CHANCE! Gibson gets himself involved immediately...but slices his shot high and wide from the corner of the box.
    • 55 A couple of chances for both sides, with Morgan Schneiderlin and Kayne McLaggon coming on for Southampton, while Possebon and Gibson come on for United.
    • 54 WHAT A CHANCE! Ryan Smith robs O'Shea of the ball in the final third...he cuts inside, brilliantly wrong-foots Evans...but then slices horribly wide when faced only with the keeper to beat!
    • 53 Carrick breaks through the middle...he tries to feed a pass through the eye of a needle to Wellbeck...but the ball strukes the back of the striker's boot and is cleared by a defender.
    • 52 This should be a stroll in the park for the remainder of the game for United; Southampton are struggling to contain the Premier League giants.
    • 50 Wellbeck bursts through the middle as he tries to get on the end of a through ball lofted over the top...he goes down, sandwiched between two Saints defenders...no penalty this time.
    • 49 SAVE! Anderson gets into the box, shows good strength to hold off his man before picking out Wellbeck...and his shot on the turn is saved by Davis
    • 48 GOAL! NANI SLOTS HOME THE PENALTY AND UNITED DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!
    • 47 PENALTY! Nani's shot is blocked by the arm of McGoldrick in the wall, and the referee points to the spot! Good decision in my eyes, because McGoldrick jumped with his arms raised...
    • 47 United win a free-kick right on the edge of the box when Wellbeck is tripped by Smith...Nani stands over it...
    • 47 Early effort on goal by Nani, who cuts inside before slicing a shot a few yards wide from 35 yards.
    • 46 The second half is underway; it's difficult to imagine a way back into this match for the home side.
    • 45+2 HALF-TIME: A tetchy half ends with Manchester United holding a slender lead, which should be much wider. Paterson's sending off for that awful studs-up challenge on Vidic means the second half is going to be equally one-sided.
    • 45 OFF THE POST! Nani clips a fine low cross into the near post...Wellbeck makes the run and gets a foot on it...the ball comes off the shin of Davis and the outside of the post!
    • 44 Wellbeck is struggling after sliding in, attempting to chase the ball down...he looks to have picked up a calf strain. Rooney is sent out to warm up.
    • 43 17 fouls so far in the first half; not a tame fixture by any stretch of the imagination.
    • 42 EASY SAVE! Davis easily plucks out Nani's attempted curler; O'Shea is then booked for blocking Davis as the keeper attempted to take a quick throw.
    • 41 The Southampton fans are booing Vidic when he gets on the ball, but the challenge that led to the sending off was a poor one; there is no way Vidic was feigning injury.
    • 39 Southampton are up against it now; they were getting outplayed 11 v 11, so they are going to have to tighten up for the remainder of this match or they could get taken apart.
    • 38 Now Rudi Skacel is booked for a late challenge on Nani as the winger cut inside; a few signs that Southampton are just losing their heads at the moment.
    • 37 That was a terrible challenge; no doubt about that. The Saints bench aren't happy, but that was a really shocking challenge by the Scot.
    • 36 Paterson catches Vidic badly in midfield...the Scottish striker is SENT OFF by the referee! It looked a harsh decision, but the relays suggest it was an awful challenge, studs up on Vidic's shin!
    • 35 Rudi Skacel hits the free-kick from distance...the ball loops up off Carrick and Van der Sar is able to claim comfortably.
    • 34 Evans is booked for bringing down McGoldrick after his error had almost allowed the Southampton striker in on goal...free-kick, 35 yards out...
    • 33 If you missed the cup draw we had on this site earlier, Liverpool have been drawn against Everton in the next round. Manchester United or Southampton will host Spurs in the next round.
    • 32 Southampton's initially good start has disappeared; United are absolutely bossing this, creating chances almost at will. The home side are playing good football, but need to tighten up.
    • 31 United win a corner when Lancashire rather slices his clearance from Neville's cross from the right...Southampton will be a little nervous over another set-piece...
    • 30 Carrick is finding himself in some very advanced positions this afternoon; usually he is more of a defensive option, spreading the play from deep, but a couple of times he has broken into the box.
    • 29 Television replays are suggesting that Wellbeck was actually in an offside position when O'Shea got in his header leading up to the United goal. Unlucky for the home side!
    • 28 SO CLOSE! Only some superb defending from Perry prevents a second goal for United as Carrick gets through on goal, lifts the ball over the keeper and is ready to roll the ball into the empty net before Perry intervenes!
    • 26 McGoldrick and Gobern attempt a one-two on the edge of the United box...cut out by Neville.
    • 25 Confident defending from Evans gets himself out of a spot of bothter in the corner of the United half.
    • 24 United are all over Southampton here...O'Shea superbly plays in Berbatov again, but his left-foot shot from a tight angle is saved by Davis.
    • 23 Nani is caught by a rash challenge on the edge of the box...the winger stays down for a short while, but is back on his feet now...dangerous spot for a set-piece...
    • 22 Berbatov drills a low shot at the keeper after Carrick had controlled the ball back to him on the right-edge of the box.
    • 21 Southampton will be furious to concede such a soft goal; today is going to be difficult enough without giving away goals from set-pieces.
    • 19 GOAL! United win a corner...O'Shea wins the header at the near post...brilliantly saved by Davis, but Wellbeck prods home from close range!
    • 17 DEFENDING! Perry nicks the ball away from Berbatov at the nick of time after the striker had lifted the ball over a defender's head and was about to prod towards goal.
    • 16 SAVE! Nani plays a nice one-two with Berbatov to earn some space...the winger drills in a low shot...well saved by Davis, with Southampton clearing the loose ball.
    • 15 Gillett and Surman combine to get Surman to the byline...he drills a low cross into the six-yard box...Evans just about clears the ball.
    • 13 Berbatov gets to the by-line, he is held up by a defender but manages to get the ball across...Wellbeck can't get his shot away under pressure.
    • 12 Davis claims Berbatov's cross at the second attempt as United again find some space down the flanks; a couple of times the home side have been stretched down the wings.
    • 11 A nice turn by Gillett but he can't release Paterson down the right channel.
    • 9 Berbatov is showing a willingness to get back and help out his defence today; a couple of times he has put in decent challenges.
    • 8 Berbatoc almost frees Nani down the right, a deflection taking the ball back to Davis,
    • 6 It's been a good start from Southampton, with Gillett looking especially competant as the home side push forward in numbers.
    • 5 Evans is limping after just being caught late when attempting a clearance; SAF isn't happy about the challenge, but there didn't look to be anything too malicious in it.
    • 4 A strong side sent out by SAF for this match - there might not be any Tevez, Ferdinand, Rooney or Ronaldo, but that is still an excellent starting 11 out there.
    • 3 It looks bittery cold on the south coast this evening, but the crowd are giving the sides a warm reception at the start of the match
    • 2 Decent start by Southampton, who look to be a side very comfortable on the ball, especially in midfield.
    • 1 OFF WE GO!
    • - Rio Ferdinand misses out with a back injury while Carlos Tevez is back home in Argentina having been given time off by the United boss.
    • - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has left striker Wayne Rooney on the bench and rested Cristiano Ronaldo.
    • - This is a re-run of the 1976 F.A Cup Final when Southampton were also a division below United - although they made a mockery of that gulf to claim the trophy that season.
    • - Hi there; welcome to St Mary's, where Manchester United have arrived to take on Southampton in the third round of the FA Cup.

  • Summary

    • 80 GOAL! Rooney gets free down the left...draws the keeper before clipping the ball into the middle for the unmarked Gibson to lash home from six yards out!
    • 74 OOH! O'Shea blasts over the bar as Nani gets to the by-line and lofts the ball back to him 10 yards out!
    • 71 Rooney gets in behind but is forced wide...he picks out Berbatov in the box, who lays the ball back to Gibson...sliced over the bar.
    • 65 AWFUL MISS! Rooney has a golden chance to make it 3-0 as he springs the off-side trap before hooking a left-foot shot well wide of the far post as Davis came out to close the angle.
    • 61 ACROBATIC! Nani hits the post with a scissor-kick from a tight angle after his original cross from the by-line had been deflected back into his path.
    • 54 WHAT A CHANCE! Ryan Smith robs O'Shea of the ball in the final third...he cuts inside, brilliantly wrong-foots Evans...but then slices horribly wide when faced only with the keeper to beat!
    • 50 Wellbeck bursts through the middle as he tries to get on the end of a through ball lofted over the top...he goes down, sandwiched between two Saints defenders...no penalty this time.
    • 48 GOAL! NANI SLOTS HOME THE PENALTY AND UNITED DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!
    • 45 OFF THE POST! Nani clips a fine low cross into the near post...Wellbeck makes the run and gets a foot on it...the ball comes off the shin of Davis and the outside of the post!
    • 36 Paterson catches Vidic badly in midfield...the Scottish striker is SENT OFF by the referee! It looked a harsh decision, but the relays suggest it was an awful challenge, studs up on Vidic's shin!
    • 28 SO CLOSE! Only some superb defending from Perry prevents a second goal for United as Carrick gets through on goal, lifts the ball over the keeper and is ready to roll the ball into the empty net before Perry intervenes!
    • 19 GOAL! United win a corner...O'Shea wins the header at the near post...brilliantly saved by Davis, but Wellbeck prods home from close range!
    • 17 DEFENDING! Perry nicks the ball away from Berbatov at the nick of time after the striker had lifted the ball over a defender's head and was about to prod towards goal.
    • 16 SAVE! Nani plays a nice one-two with Berbatov to earn some space...the winger drills in a low shot...well saved by Davis, with Southampton clearing the loose ball.

Live Team Line-Up

  • Referee: Mike Riley

  • Southampton

    Manager: Jan Poortvliet

    Captain: Kelvin Davis

    Starting line-up

    • K. Davis
    • O. Lancashire
    • L. James
    • C. Perry
    • R. Skacel Yellow Card
    • O. Gobern Substitution Out (55′)
    • R. McGoldrick
    • S. Gillett Substitution Out (55′)
    • R. Smith
    • A. Surman
    • M. Paterson Red Card

    Subs

    • J. Euell
    • B. Wright-Phillips
    • L. Holmes
    • S. Schneiderlin Substitution In55′
    • T. Forecast
    • L. Molyneux
    • K. McLaggon Substitution In55′

    Injured

    • W. Thomas
    • M. Svensson

    Suspended

    None

  • Manchester United

    Manager: Alex Ferguson

    Captain: Ryan Giggs

    Starting line-up

    • E. van der Sar
    • G. Neville
    • N. Vidic
    • J. Evans Yellow Card
    • J. O'Shea Yellow Card
    • .. Nani
    • O. Anderson
    • M. Carrick Substitution Out (55′)
    • R. Giggs Substitution Out (55′)
    • D. Berbatov
    • D. Welbeck Goal Substitution Out (63′)

    Subs

    • T. Kuszczak
    • W. Rooney Substitution In63′
    • D. Fletcher
    • J. Park
    • D. Gibson Substitution In55′ Goal
    • R. Possebon Substitution In55′
    • R. Da Silva

    Injured

    • R. Ferdinand

    Suspended

    • P. Evra