Unconvincing

Do you think the article's title is about Pool or United or Howard Webb?

Let's try all three, but to varying degrees.

In what was surely the tastiest tie of the FA Cup's third round, and the only all Premier League clash, THE main story line will be like ESPNSoccernet's title “The Tale of Two Decisions”, as Mr. Webb will face scathing scrutiny from Merseyside and most neutral football observers.

First, the penalty in the 2nd minute, where Berba gets behind Agger and beautifully controls a long ball over the top from Fletcher. Agger sticks a leg in, there's slight contact, and Berbatov goes down. Excellent penalty from Giggsy. One-nil United.

Second, there's the two-footed lunge by Gerrard on Michael Carrick in the 32nd minute at midfield directly in front of Webb.

Yes, Gerrard was late. Yes, he caught Carrick. And yes, United fans immediately chant “Off! Off! Off!”

But, this foul is a yellow card most the time, I contend.

Rarely would a referee make one of these decisions in a match, let alone both for United. Liverpool could feel hard done.

Yet, on both occasions, Pool players put themselves in horrible positions, one where the referee can make the call and everyone knows that playing in front of 76,000+ does impact referee decision making.

First, Agger allowed Berba to get behind him from a ball hit on the other side of the half way line. Abject poor positioning, especially a couple minutes into the match. Compounding matters, Agger sticks his leg in well behind that ball. Complain all you want about a dive, but it's criminal defending.

Second, you could tell by Gerrard's reaction to the card, where he did not protest and simply left the pitch, that he accepted the punishment for the two-footed dive. Everyone knows that you can't leave both feet in the lightning-fast, modern game. Simple as that.

On both occasions, Liverpool played a heavy hand in their own demise.

Which leads me to United.

Up one-nil early and playing most of the match with a man-advantage, largely, the Red Devils spent way too much time passing the ball backwards and between full backs.

I know you want to retain possession. I know you want to make Liverpool work and defend. I even know you may try to lull Pool into loosing concentration, leaving an opening to attack.

But, how often have we seen one-goal leads disappear this campaign? Where's that killer instinct to put your hated rivals away? Often absent, I'd contend. The inability to hit well-timed, decisive goals when the game sits there for the taking causes concern.

United did boss the game in a methodical manner, but at one-nil, it truly did not feel done and dusted until stoppage time. Liverpool never really threatened, but you're only one set-piece, or dare I say dodgy-decision, away from total disaster: a loss or reply at Anfield.

Which leads me to the rarest of occasions: criticism for Sir Alex.

What on God's green earth are you doing putting in Chris Smalling for Jonny Evans in the 84th minute?
Was Evans hurt? Was this a test for the young Smalling?

It's incredibly difficult to put in a center half that late and have him catch up to the speed and intensity of the match. And, what does the decision say to Jonny Evans?

On both accounts, you put a very young center half under unnecessary pressure and maybe cause another to lose confidence. Since United got the result, one could argue, it worked. But, was it worth the risk? I think not.

Finally, there's some beautiful symmetry knowing that days immediately after Dalglish last left Liverpool a certain youngster, Ryan Giggs, began his glorious career at United and was the player to see off King Kenny in his first return match.

Giggs' career provides a nice contrast to today's rather methodical win over Liverpool.

Here's to Giggs tearing Pool apart, again. Cheers.

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Back at you after the Tottenham match.