The return of Kenny Dalglish to top flight football was somewhat overshadowed by a couple of flashpoints and Howard Webb decisions that ultimately decided the outcome of the FA Cup Third Round‘s top billing match at Old Trafford. Elsewhere, it was business as usual, with only Leicester’s home draw against Man City coming close to replicating the Cup shocks of the previous day…

Dalglish made five changes from Roy Hodgson’s last Liverpool line-up, with a possible hint to his future thinking. Paul Konchesky- who suffered a dead leg against Blackburn and was unable for selection- and Sotirios Kyrgiakos were both replaced by Fabio Aurelio and Dan Agger respectively in the back four. Up front, Dalglish chose to select Fernando Torres as a lone striker, with Steven Gerrard playing in the hole behind. A 4-2-3-1 formation allowed Raul Meireles to return from injury and operate in his favoured central midfield position.

Gerrard’s straight red card for a needless two-footed challenge on Michael Carrick means he will miss the next three games for Liverpool, including this Wednesday’s trip to Blackpool, the Merseyside derby at Anfield and the first of the club’s double Gameweek 24, away to Wolves. He’ll be back just in time for a run that reads (FUL, STK, che, WIG, whm).

A knock kept Nemanja Vidic out of the Man United team, meaning Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans were the home team’s centre halves. Wayne Rooney was still unavailable, meaning Dimitar Berbatov was again partnered by Javier Hernandez up front. The Bulgarian won a somewhat disputed penalty 30 seconds into the game, allowing Ryan Giggs to score the game’s only goal, to ensure King Kenny’s return was an unhappy one.

Tottenham took to the field against Charlton with, arguably, just three first-teamers on the field (Michael Dawson, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Jermain Defoe) as Harry Redknapp gave this season’s star performers Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart well-earned rests. Left winger Andros Townsend had a debut to remember, grabbing the opener before Defoe’s double sealed a straightforward victory for the hosts. The match would seem to have little outcome on Tottenham’s next league outing when they host United at the Lane.

Carlo Ancelotti dropped Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Michael Essien to the bench for the visit of Ipswich, with Ashley Cole missing out completely. Frank Lampard showed the past few months of injury haven’t lessened his hunger for goals, grabbing a double in the holders’ 7-0 rout, as did Daniel Sturridge. The victory will no doubt be morale-boosting for Ancelotti’s side as they look to climb back into the Champions League placings over the next few weeks. It’s Blackburn at the Bridge next for Chelsea and you can expect the likes of Drogba, Malouda and Essien to return for that one.

Man City’s visit to Leicester saw a change of formation for Roberto Mancini’s side, as they lined up 4-4-2 to face old boss Sven Goran Erickson at the Walkers Stadium. Mancini made six changes from the side that drew at Arsenal, with Aleksander Kolarov and Jerome Boateng starting at full-back. James Milner began for the second consecutive game, scoring and assisting in the 2-2 draw. The likes of Patrick Vieira, Jo and Shaun Wright-Phillips got rare outings for the visitors, though the latter lasted only 45 minutes before being hauled off. None of that trio seem likely to make an impression on the teamsheet for City’s next league outing at home to Wolves.