Capital One Cup: United leave derby defeats behind them
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 vs LIVERPOOL 0
MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes was delighted with the character his team showed to overcome a string of recent setbacks and reach the Capital One Cup fourth round.
United had suffered Premier League defeats to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City already this month, but dug deep to see off Brendan Rodgers’ Reds with Javier Hernandez scoring the decisive goal in the opening minute of the second half.
And Moyes was thrilled to reach round four, where United will play at home to Norwich.
“We had to try and comeback from the loss on Sunday at the Etihad [Stadium] and I thought it was a really good result,” he said. “It was a really good game. Both teams went for it.
“Both games between us have been tight and sealed by a set piece and that was the way we got it.
“The movement was great. It was real good centre forward play. That’s what Chicharito does, that’s what he’s all about. The finish was brilliant.”
Liverpool, who reintroduced striker Luis Suarez to the starting line-up following a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, had the best opportunities in the first half, but striker Daniel Sturridge poked wide from the edge of the box after exchanging passes with Suarez and saw an angled shot blocked by defender Chris Smalling.
United regrouped at the interval and took the lead in the first minute of the second period when Hernandez got free of his marker Jose Enrique to volley in Wayne Rooney’s corner from six yards.
Shinji Kagawa went close to doubling United’s lead with a fierce 20-yard effort that hit the top of the crossbar on 64 minutes.
But the remainder of the tie was dominated by Liverpool.
Suarez glided past Alex Buttner, but shot into the side netting and a diving header from Victor Moses brought a fine reaction save from goalkeeper David De Gea.
There was still time for Suarez to rattle the crossbar with a deflected free-kick as United held on.
FOURTH ROUND DRAW
Sunderland v Southampton
Leicester v Fulham
Birmingham v Stoke
Man United v Norwich
Burnley v West Ham
Arsenal v Chelsea
Tottenham v Hull
Newcastle v Man City
Ties to be played w/c 28 October