Reds into fourth round after seeing-off Saints
Utd win 3-0
By Chris,
January 5 2009
Manchester United cruised through to the fourth round of the F.A Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win against Southampton. United had a handful of refereeing decisions go their way - but always looked likely to win the game and goals from Danny Welbeck, Nani and Darron Gibson confirmed our progress.
There was no place in the squad for Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney was rested to the bench, but United still controlled the early stages. Nani and Anderson went close before Welbeck broke the deadlock. John O'Shea's header was turned onto the bar by Kelvin Davies, but Welbeck was on hand to turn the ball home from close-range.
Moments later, Saints fans were calling for the dismissal of Johnny Evans after the Ulsterman tugged down McGoldrick. The referee only produced a yellow card - but showed red to a Southampton's Matt Paterson following a studs-up lunge on Nemanja Vidic. The home fans were seething.
Mike Riley causes yet more controversy three minutes after half-time as United were handed a 'soft penalty'. McGoldrick was called-up on a questionable hand-ball and Nani stepped up to drill the ball home from twelve yards and double United's lead.
The visitors dominated proceedings in the latter stages and Gibson hammered home a third goal with 81 minutes on the clock. He rifled passed Davies from close-range to the delight of the travelling fans as United claimed another victory and secured a fifth consecutive clean sheet.
The draw for the fourth round of the Cup was made at 3.25pm on Sunday - just before the game kicked-off at the St.Mary's. For details of who United will face, please click here.
Full Time - Southampton 0-3 Manchester United
Attendance - 31,901