Baptism of fire for Dalglish

Soccer FA Cup - Manchester United 1 Liveroool 0: A second-minute Ryan Giggs penalty and a red card for Steven Gerrard ensured a frustrating return for Kenny Dalglish as Manchester United beat Liverpool 1-0 in their FA Cup third-round clash at Old Trafford.

The penalty and 32nd-minute dismissal of Liverpool's captain handed United a fourth-round away game with Southampton and spoil the return to the Liverpool dugout of Dalglish, who replaced Roy Hodgson yesterday.

In the day's other early game, Tottenham Hotspur beat League One (third division) Charlton Athletic 3-0 with two goals by Jermain Defoe and one for teenage debutant Andros Townsend.

Holders Chelsea were hosting Ipswich later today for the right to visit Everton, with Manchester City also playing, away to Leicester.

All the hopes pinned by Liverpool fans on "King Kenny" lasted about 30 seconds of today's feature game at Old Trafford, the only all-Premier League match-up of the third round.

Dalglish had barely taken his seat when he had already adopted the bemused look that his predecessor Hodgson wore for most of his six months in charge after recalled centre back Daniel Agger tripped Dimitar Berbatov and Giggs rammed home the penalty.

The 9,000 travelling fans continued to give noisy support and helped produce a terrific atmosphere but they were silenced again when Gerrard was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on fellow England midfielder Michael Carrick.

"The two decisions are important factors in the game but if you go into detail about them you take the great commitment of the players," said Dalglish, who said he disagreed with the penalty and red card.

"Manchester United are top of the league, they're a fantastic side. I think we showed fantastic courage and they did that in conjunction with the fantastic support they had."

Johnny Evans smacked a header against a post just before halftime, Javier Hernandez nodded inches wide just after and both men went close during a mad scramble on the hour as United searched for the second.

They could not find it but Liverpool were unable to muster any threat.

"We had plenty of chances to finish it off so you are a bit nervous," said Giggs.

Spurs went ahead against Charlton four minutes into the second half when 19-year-old Townsend shot home from the edge of the box.

Defoe then cut through the visiting defence twice in three minutes to make it 3-0 after an hour and send his team through to an away tie with Fulham.

In yesterday's action four Premier League teams were knocked out by lower league opponents.

Newcastle United's 3-1 defeat by League Two (fourth division) Stevenage was the biggest upset while West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and Blackpool also fell at the first hurdle.

Arsenal needed a last-minute penalty by Cesc Fabregas to earn a 1-1 home draw with Leeds United while last season's runners-up Portsmouth lost 3-1 at Brighton.

Results

FA Cup Third Round

Man Utd 1-0 Liverpool
Tottenham 3-0 Charlton
Chelsea 7-0 Ipswich
Leicester 2-2 Man City

Scottish Cup Fourth Round

Dundee 0-4 Motherwell
Berwick 0-2 Celtic
Hearts P-P St Johnstone
East Stirling P-P Buckie Thistle