Charlton is back in the reckoning

England team manager Walter Winterbottom saw Bobby Charlton become a V.I.P. footballer once again at rainy, muddy Anfield. Two expertly-taken Charlton goals in the first half knocked hotly-fancied Liverpool cold.

Back-in-form Charlton was the hero all right. But, in my view, United won an exciting, no-tackles-pulled Cup-tie because of a superb middle-line.

Fast-covering, crash-tackling Setters established himself as the new general of the often-criticised United defence. But centre half Cope and left-half Brennan were no less responsible for the elimination of Liverpool's inside-forward power.

Setters was the most industrious defender around. Cope, going to the ball first time, made Hickson just another name in the programme, and Brennan played more robustly than I've ever seen him.

These three kept United in the game when the forwards were struggling.

Gregg was beaten in the very first minute by Hunt, but Setters, covering his goalkeeper intelligently, stopped the ball three yards from goal.

United's first shot - in the 13th minute - brought a goal! Charlton swept past Wheeler and Molyneux and pulled a low shot across goalkeeper Slater's body into the far corner.

United had to revert almost completely to defence once again, and after Gregg had dropped a free kick, Wheeler equalised with a right-foot cross-drive.

Penalty

A minute before the break Charlton licked two defenders and sent Bradley away on the right. For once the England winger managed to get the ball across, and Charlton was there to slam it home.

In a close decision in the 52nd minute, Sheffield referee A.Murdoch refused a penalty after Hickson had been floored by Foulkes.

Then came United's best attacking spell.

In six minutes a terrific Charlton drive, again on the ground, hit the diving Slater in the mouth. Moran miraculously headed off the line after Quixall had placed away from the small goalkeeper; Slater had to save again from Charlton and, finally, Bradley, redeeming himself, scored the third goal with a rising left-foot shot from Quixall's pass.

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