LONDON (AP):
RUUD VAN Nistelrooy scored two goals as ten-man Manchester United defeated cross-town rivals Manchester City 4-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup yesterday.
United were cruising at 1-0 at Old Trafford thanks to Paul Scholes' 34th minute goal when defender Gary Neville was sent off in the 39th minute for violent conduct.
The England defender became angry at being booked for diving in a tackle by City's Michael Tarnat. A frustrated Neville then shoved Tarnat, before pushing City's Steve McManaman, whom he also headbutted.
Referee Jeff Winter pulled Neville away as other players and officials gathered around. He showed Neville a red card for violent conduct - only the second in his United career.
"You can't do something like that," Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said. "He deserved to be sent off. It was uncharacteristic, and he has let himself down."
DESPITE THE DISADVANTAGE
Despite the main disadvantage, Van Nistelrooy scored United's second in the 71st minute, an untidy prod into the net at the far post from a Cristiano Ronaldo cross. The Dutchman took his shirt off and whirled it like a windmill in delight.
Ronaldo added the third three minutes later. City goalkeeper Arni Arason pushed a Ryan Giggs attempt away, but Ronaldo chipped the rebound into the net. The Portuguese international also had the ball in the back of the net in first half injury time, but was ruled offside.
City pulled a goal back through Tarnat in the 77th minute with a powerful strike over the reaching arms of United's American goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Van Nistelrooy scored his second of the match in the 80th minute. Roy Keane headed the ball down across goal where Van Nistelrooy trapped it between his ankles on the goalline, then kicked it into the net.
Robbie Fowler added City's second in the 85th minute with a quickly taken free-kick that caught Howard unawares.
"I thought in the first half we were outstanding. We could have been three or four up," Ferguson said.
"The sending-off changed the nature of the game. They had a man extra, but our counterattacking play in the second half was fantastic - we could have scored five. It was a performance of great character, and I am really pleased."
In other ties yesterday, Second Division Tranmere Rovers beat Third Division Swansea 2-1, with Iain Hume scoring the winning goal.
Millwall beat Burnley 1-0 in an all-First Division tie. Danny Dichio celebrated making his loan deal from West Brom to Millwall permanent by scoring the winner in the 70th minute. Burnley finished with ten men after Paul Weller was sent off three minutes later.
Premier League Fulham tied 0-0 with First Division West Ham to force a replay. Both sides had plenty of chances, but were denied by a combination of brilliant goalkeeping and occasionally wayward finishing. The replay will be on February 24.
Today, Arsenal play Chelsea in the FA Cup for the fourth consecutive year - with the Gunners winning them all. First Division Sheffield United host Second Division Colchester and Liverpool play Portsmouth at Anfield.
