Five goals, four red cards, a retaken penalty, a controversial performance by a referee and a spectacular comeback. Any suggestions that the rivalry that permeates matches between Liverpool and Manchester United is any less intense at junior levels will have been dispelled by United’s 3-2 victory yesterday in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final at Anfield.
In one of the most dramatic matches in the 58-year history of the competition, United earned a place in the semi-finals against Chelsea after overturning a two-goal deficit.
The tie seemed to be going Liverpool’s way when Adam Morgan put them two goals to the good with well-taken strikes in both halves. However, his thunder was eventually stolen by a card-happy referee by the name of David Coote and a prodigiously talented forward called Ravel Morrison, who is regarded as one of the brightest prospects to emerge from United’s academy despite a troubled spell off the field that culminated recently with a court appearance.
The match-defining incident came after 58 minutes when Stephen Sama pulled down Ryan Tunnicliffe, the United captain, in the box. Coote awarded a penalty and dismissed Sama.
The drama continued as Paul Pogba’s spot-kick was ruled out after the referee felt that he had sought to gain an illegal advantage by using a dummy in his run-up. Pogba was given a yellow card for ungentlemanly conduct and, as the Frenchman had already been booked, was also sent off.
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With everything that preceded the eventual retaking of the penalty, it was to Larnell Cole’s great credit that he did not allow himself to be distracted and brought United back into the game with a coolly taken penalty.
Having dominated the match and had the overwhelming majority of chances until that point, Liverpool lost their way, a failing that Rodolfo Borrell, their coach, put down to a lack of maturity.
They certainly looked less assured with both teams reduced in number and they were made to feel even more ill at ease when Cole set up Morrison for an equalising goal that left the watching Sir Alex Ferguson nodding in approval.
It was left to Morrison to settle the tie with an acrobatic effort in front of the Kop after 86 minutes before Conor Coady, who had otherwise enjoyed an excellent game in the heart of Liverpool’s midfield, and Tyler Blackett, the United left back, were dismissed after a mêlée in stoppage time.
If the lack of discipline of the players detracted from an otherwise wonderful advertisement for youth football then so did the antics of the United supporters, six of whom were ejected from the stadium for lighting a flare and who soured the game with chants about Hillsborough, Heysel and Bill Shankly.