Kuyt gives Liverpool 2-1 FA Cup win over United

Jan 28, 2012, 14:46 GMT

London - Dirk Kuyt struck with two minutes remaining to give Liverpool a 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Manchester United on Saturday, while Chelsea beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0.

In a sulphurous atmosphere at Anfield, prompted by the recent suspension handed to Liverpool forward Luis Suarez after he was found to have racially abused United defender Patrice Evra, Daniel Agger gave Liverpool the lead, only for Park Ji-Sung to level before half-time.

But a mistake from David De Gea, who had looked jittery through out, gave Kuyt the winner in the 88th minute.

'We've got to give Manchester United credit,' said Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. 'They controlled large parts of the game but the most important thing was the result and we got there in the end.'

Antonio Valencia struck the post with a low curler after 17 minutes as United had the better of the opening exchanges.

It was Liverpool, though, who took the lead after 21 minutes, Agger heading in as De Gea flapped at a corner.

United levelled six minutes before the break, Valencia laying in Rafael, who skipped by Luis Enrique and crossed for Park to score.

The away side continued to hold Liverpool at arm's length for much of the second half before Patrice Evra was caught out of position as Andy Carroll flicked on a long clearance from Pepe Reina, and Kuyt smashed his shot through De Gea for his second goal of the season.

'I don't know how they lost it,' said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. 'Just one breakaway, one bad break against you, and you can lose the game. It's a sudden-death situation and we've experienced it many times over the years.'

At Loftus Road, the Football Association insisted that the teams should not shake hands before kick-off, fearing a handshake between Chelsea's John Terry and QPR's Anton Ferdinand could prejudice next week's magistrates hearing into allegations Terry racially abused Ferdinand in a league game in October.

Chelsea ran out 1-0 winners in a game of little goalmouth incident. Juan Mata got the only goal from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute after Clint Hill was deemed to have fouled Daniel Sturridge

Chelsea's win, though, was overshadowed by the loss of Ramires to a knee ligament injury incurred when blocking a shot from Tommy Smith.

Newcastle United were the big casualties of the day, crashing out 1-0 at Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion.

Will Buckley got the only goal with a deflected shot 13 minutes from time.

Norwich City won 2-1 away top West Bromwich Albion. Grant Holt headed in a Wes Hoolihan cross to give Norwich a first half lead, but Marc-Antoine Fortune levelled midway through the second half.

Simeon Jackson, though, found a late winner.

Cameron Jerome got the opener as Stoke City, last season's beaten finalists, won 2-0 at Derby County, Robert Huth adding the second late on.

Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Swansea City. Luke Moore chipped Swansea City into the lead, but Darren Pratley soon headed an equalizer against his former club, before Chris Eagles gave the home side the win.

The prolific Matt Tubbs was on target again as Crawley Town won 1-0 away at Hull City, while Birmingham City were convincing 4-0 winners at Sheffield United.

Leicester City beat Swindon Town 2-0, while Kevin Phillips equalized with a late penalty as Blackpool drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday.