Leeds turn back the clock,dump United from FA Cup

Daniel Sturridge,John Eustace (own goal) and Florent Malouda settled the outcome with early goals before Sturridge and Frank Lampard scored in the second half to ensure Chelsea eliminated Watford for the second season running.

However,no-one followed the script at Old Trafford after Beckford struck his fifth goal in three games and 20th of the season.

The chance was fashioned by a 50-metre ball from Johnny Howson which went over the champions’ defence,allowing Beckford to control it and angle a shot wide of goalkeeper Tomas Kuszczak.

It was the first time Alex Ferguson had suffered defeat in the third round,the stage at which the top clubs enter the FA Cup,since he became United manager in 1986.

United’s first lost to lower league opposition since 1984 also gave Leeds a memorable victory at a ground where they regularly used to duel with United for national supremacy before their slide down the leagues.

The 9,000 away fans went wild with delight at the end of a thrilling Cup tie which produced the first big shock of the round after a series of predictable results on Saturday.

“I must admit I didn’t expect that performance,” Ferguson told MUTV. “If you don’t start and the other team does,you’re always up against it. Leeds had a far bigger appetite than us for the game. You need a bit of luck and they got it but they deserved it because they played really well.”

Leeds manager Simon Grayson praised his team. “It was a good long diagonal ball from Johnny Howson and nine times out of 10 Jermaine finishes them off and that’s what he did,” he told ITV.

“We gave ourselves an opportunity to go and win the game from there and with a bit of luck here and there we’ve hung on. I am sure they will be celebrating in Leeds for the next few days.”

Grayson’s men thoroughly deserved their victory which would have been more comfortable if Beckford had scored after 78 minutes instead of dragging his shot just wide.