Sir Alex Ferguson suffered his first FA Cup third-round defeat since taking the reins at Manchester United in 1986 as Jermaine Beckford’s first-half winner gave third-tier Leeds United a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Saturday’s action had failed to produce any upsets but the major surprise came at the most unlikely venue on Sunday as Simon Grayson’s side belied their position to inflict a maiden FA Cup reverse against lower league opposition on the Man Utd. Leeds had displayed no reservations in the early stages of the contest and were rewarded when Johnny Howson’s long pass released Beckford and he steered his shot across Tomasz Kuszczak.
United toiled before the break with Jason Crowe’s goalline clearance from Wayne Rooney the closest the hosts came to levelling. Chances were spurned at both ends after the interval with substitute Michael Owen miskicking when gloriously placed before Beckford fired wide and a Robert Snodgrass free-kick struck the post for the visitors. Goalkeeper Casper Ankergren was called into action twice in added time but Leeds held on for the first success at Old Trafford since 1981 – 17 matches ago.
Elsewhere, Aaron Ramsey and Eduardo struck in the final 15 minutes to help Arsenal come from a goal down to win 2-1 at West Ham, who had led through Alessandro Diamanti’s effort on the stroke of half-time. Daniel Sturridge scored his first two goals for Chelsea as they cruised to a 5-0 success at home to Watford.
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