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An extra-time goal from Shane Long capped a stunning comeback for Championship strugglers Reading as they knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup.

Liverpool fortuitously took the lead when Ryan Bertrand deflected Steven Gerrard’s cross into his own net.

In second-half injury time Reading were rewarded for their endeavour throughout when Gylfi Sigurdsson levelled from the spot after a foul on substitute Long.

Long’s extra-time header proved the decisive blow to send Reading through.

This was Reading’s first victory at Anfield and it was fully deserved as they out-worked their under-par Premier League opponents to book a fourth-round tie at home to Burnley.

The result places even more pressure on under-fire Reds boss Rafael Benitez who will also be concerned that star duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard failed to finish the match due to injury.

Neither side had played since the original third-round tie; with Reading’s home game against Newcastle and Liverpool’s match with Tottenham both falling foul of the weather.

The team line-ups for the replay reflected the level of satisfaction each had taken from the game at the Madejski.

Reading caretaker manager Brian McDermott named an unchanged side from what was arguably their best performance of what has been a lacklustre season so far and he was rewarded with a similarly committed display from his side.

They looked anything but a team that has failed to win any of their last five league matches and have spent all season in the bottom eight of the Championship.

In contrast, Liverpool made five changes in an attempt to improve upon what was a blunted, mediocre showing in the 1-1 draw.

They started well and were only denied what could have been the game’s opening goal when Ivar Ingimarsson’s outstretched boot intercepted Gerrard’s cross with Yossi Benayoun lurking.

But once the initial storm from the home side was weathered, Reading’s confidence and assurance grew as Liverpool’s wilted.

With a platform built, the visitors twice could have taken the lead either side of the 20-minute mark.

Firstly, Reds defender Jamie Carragher opted to leave Simon Church’s right-wing cross, unaware that Grzegor Rasiak was lurking behind him, but the striker miscued his effort over the bar.

Then, Jobi McAnuff broke away down the right before delivering into the box from deep but the cross was inches ahead of the diving Church who failed to make contact.

Reading were further buoyed on the half hour when Torres was substituted after falling awkwardly and replaced by David Ngog.

Despite the loss of the prolific Spanish marksman and the deficiencies that have hampered their season thus far, Liverpool have the quality to exploit the slightest of lapses from an opponent.

On the stroke of half time they did just that.

Gerrard’s initial corner was headed clear but it was returned to the England midfielder, who played a one-two with Ngog before directing a ball into the six-yard box which deflected off Bertrand and in.

Liverpool’s joy was tempered by the withdrawal of the Gerrard at half time with a twinge in his hamstring.

However, despite the loss of their influential captain, Liverpool began the second half well and pinned the visitors into their own half for large spells.

But despite their dominance of possession they crafted relatively few clear goalscoring chances.

Daniel Agger flashed a 25-yard shot well wide after Alberto Aquilani’s free-kick had deflected to him off the Reading wall and the Italian headed a good chance wide from a Benayoun cross.

In contrast, Reading created a number of good opportunities during the half.

Substitute Brian Howard swung over a superb cross to the edge of the six-yard box but somehow Ingimarsson failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy.

Not long after, McAnuff picked up the ball on the halfway line and drove at the Liverpool defence, evading a string of challenges to find himself clear on goal but with the hard work done and keeper Diego Cavalieri committed to ground early, he shot wide of the upright.

Reading’s final chance appeared to have gone when Cavalieri palmed away a shot from Sigurdsson in the 90th minute but there was still time for another twist.

A long ball forward broke fortuitously to substitute Long in the Liverpool box and whilst Benayoun’s tackle on the forward was mistimed more than malicious, no contact was made with the ball and referee Philip Dowd pointed to the spot.

Sigurdsson showed an admirable lack of nerves to side-foot the penalty in, with Cavalieri diving the wrong way.

Having rescued themselves at the death, a buoyed Reading stunned Anfield by taking the lead 10 minutes into extra-time.

Brynjar Gunnarsson nutmegged Emiliano Insua on the right before sending over a pinpoint cross that Long glanced into the Liverpool net from six yards.

Inevitably, the rest of extra time was played largely in the Reading half but despite their best efforts Liverpool were unable to force an equaliser.

Benayoun spurned a glorious chance to equalise when through on goal but he dwelt on the ball and Federici was able to save his shot and Ngog fluffed a good shooting opportunity after finding space in the box.

Manchester United were crowned Premier League champions in May, but have just one player to show for their success as we compile the definitive team of 2009.

There is no room for the mercurial talents of Robin van Persie (7.02) and the rejuvenated Didier Drogba (6.91) in our side as Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres form our indomitable frontline.

Equally, Frank Lampard (6.79) is edged out of the midfield with Cesc Fabregas and Steven Gerrard occupying the two central berths, flanked by wing wizards Andrei Arshavin and Aaron Lennon.

Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson are the two full-backs after consistent displays for Chelsea and, in the right-back’s case, Liverpool and formerly Portsmouth.

Brede Hangeland and Joleon Lescott form a slightly surprising centre-back pairing, with no room for either of United’s first-choice partnership of Nemanja Vidic (6.32) and Rio Ferdinand (5.93).

How it works

We take marks out of 10 awarded to Premier League players from a selection of six national newspapers – The Sun, Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, The Times and the Guardian – then create an average. The top player in each position is rewarded with a spot in our team of the year for 2009.

2009 Team of the Year

Goalkeeper: Shay Given (Manchester City) – 6.89

Right back: Glen Johnson (Liverpool) – 6.73

Centre back: Brede Hangeland (Fulham) – 6.61

Centre back: John Terry (Chelsea) – 6.75

Left back: Ashley Cole (Chelsea) – 6.51

Right midfield: Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) – 6.89

Centre midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) – 7.03

Centre midfield: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) – 6.98

Left midfield: Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal) – 7.05

Centre forward: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – 7.15

Centre forward: Fernando Torres (Liverpool) – 7.05

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says Glen Johnson may need a scan on an injured knee after he was forced off in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

The 25-year-old right-back came off in the 89th minute with a suspected knee injury and left the ground on crutches.

“We don’t know, we have to do a scan – maybe he has a problem with his knee,” said manager Rafael Benitez.

Johnson has already missed three games with a calf problem as Liverpool have endured an injury-plagued campaign.

Liverpool’s winner was scored by Fernando Torres, who has been hampered by a groin injury this season.

Benitez revealed the Spanish striker, whose injury-time winner resulted in him overtaking Roger Hunt as the quickest Liverpool player to reach 50 league goals (in 72 games) for the club, has more recently been troubled by an ankle injury.

“Fernando has had some problems with his ankle more than his groin and he has been working very hard with the fitness coach and the physio,” added Benitez.

“It depends on how he feels – in terms of how many games he can play – but against Villa he was OK.

“We will have to assess things and see what happens. We will leave it with him but we need to keep him fit for the remainder of the season. That is the important thing.”

Benitez says he is surprised by the furore which has greeted his statement that Liverpool will finish in the top four this season.

The victory over Villa took them to seventh in the Premier League, four points behind Tottenham who are in fourth place.

“What else am I going to say? What other answer can I give? I have to be the first one to believe and I have to make the players believe,” he said.

“People say I am putting pressure on them. What else am I supposed to do? I am the manager.

“It is important for us to keep Torres and Gerrard fit.

“If they stay fit and can play in most of the games remaining for us then we have a very good chance.”

Chelsea   2 - 1   Fulham

Chelsea opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Premier League table as they came from behind to beat Fulham.

The visitors stunned Chelsea by taking the lead after four minutes when Zoltan Gera hooked in from 12 yards.

Fulham then defended comfortably as Chelsea struggled to make an impact but Didier Drogba finally got the equaliser when he headed in at the far post.

And an unfortunate own goal by Chris Smalling handed Chelsea a victory that had looked unlikely for long spells.

For much of the match Chelsea looked short of ideas and out-of-sorts as Fulham produced a performance that was full of commitment and excellent defending.

Even without the injured Brede Hangeland, Fulham looked comfortable at the back – until John Pantsil went off injured, and that was perhaps the turning point of the game.

Until then Pantsil had got the better of Drogba in an excellent battle, with the Ivorian striker cutting a frustrated figure.

But in the end Drogba helped give Chelsea the perfect farewell present before he heads off to the African Cup of Nations.

It was a crushing blow for Fulham but worse was to follow.

Three minutes later, Daniel Sturridge’s cross-shot was beaten out by Schwarzer but it hit Smalling and he put through his own net trying to clear.

Kalou clipped the bar with a shot late on, but the result was already harsh enough on Fulham.

Chelsea, however, will be buoyed by a victory that was achieved when they were far from their best.

Yet it might have been so different. If ever there was a perfect time for Fulham to play Chelsea, perhaps this was it with the Blues having won only one of their five previous games in December.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Birmingham that his side were lacking confidence and that was certainly in evidence.

The Italian made six changes to his line-up but the number of alterations outweighed the number of chances created.

Time and again Fulham easily repelled half-hearted Chelsea attacks

Right from the start, Chelsea looked off key and when skipper John Terry failed to head away Paul Konchesky’s cross, Gera was on hand to hook the ball in after Bobby Zamora had nodded it his way.

A miserable afternoon for Terry continued when he suffered cuts under his eye and on his cheek after a clash with team-mate Yuri Zhirkov, who will not look back fondly on his first Premier League start.

For all their possession, Chelsea barely forced a save from Mark Schwarzer in the first half – the Australian easily gathered two Drogba efforts, while Salomon Kalou dragged a shot well wide.

And just after the break, Zamora should have punished Chelsea when he intercepted Ricardo Carvalho’s backpass but Petr Cech made a fine save.

That might have wrapped up Fulham’s second victory over Chelsea in the last three decades, but instead they ended up suffering a 17th defeat.

Drogba gave warning that Chelsea were far from finished when he tested Schwarzer with a fizzing shot.

And it was Drogba who hauled his side back into the game when he exploited the space at right-back, after Pantsil had been forced off injured, and headed in Paulo Ferreira’s far-post cross.

It was a crushing blow for Fulham but worse was to follow.

Three minutes later, Daniel Sturridge’s cross-shot was beaten out by Schwarzer but it hit Smalling and he put through his own net trying to clear.

Kalou clipped the bar with a shot late on, but the result was already harsh enough on Fulham.

Chelsea, however, will be buoyed by a victory that was achieved when they were far from their best.

Manchester United edged an error-strewn encounter with Hull to close to within two points of leaders Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title.

Wayne Rooney drew first blood for United on the stroke of half-time, but later made a calamitous back-pass which paved the way for a Hull penalty.

Craig Fagan levelled from the spot, but Rooney made amends when his low cross led to an Andy Dawson own goal.

Dimitar Berbatov then sealed the win after a pin-point pass from Rooney.

At a stage of the season when champions United traditionally begin to hit their stride, the victory closed the gap on Chelsea after they were held to a goalless draw at Birmingham on Saturday.

But for all Rooney’s influence, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men – who arrived on Humberside in wounded-animal mode after suffering two defeats in their previous three Premier League outings – were rarely at their best.

In fairness that had much to do with Hull, whose industry and commitment proved formidable obstacles despite some hairy moments for goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, most notably when he miscued a first-half clearance.

Having seen his team charged by the Football Association after last weekend’s mass confrontation at Arsenal, Phil Brown had looked to foster a siege mentality among his players in the build-up.

And his players clearly bought into the billing of unfairly-punished underdogs as they absorbed United’s strong start and were unlucky to be denied an early penalty.

Fagan found Richard Garcia with a precise through-ball, but as the Australia international raced into the area he was upended by a sliding tackle from Nemanja Vidic that prompted furious protests from Hull.

It was Alan Wiley, the referee whose fitness was questioned by Ferguson after United’s 2-2 draw against Sunderland earlier this season, who came to the visitors’ rescue.

Wiley saw nothing wrong with the challenge, but no sooner had he waved away the complaints than Hull were at United again, Seyi Olofinjana forcing a fine reflex save from Tomasz Kuszczak.

Another opportunity to open the scoring went begging when Olofinjana put Stephen Hunt through only for the Republic of Ireland midfielder to shoot wide.

As the misses mounted for Hull, the feeling grew that there would be a price to pay against a United side desperate to bounce back following last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Fulham.

The return of a trio of defenders in Rafael da Silva, Vidic and Wes Brown provided a platform for United to go forward with greater confidence, and although their attacking fluency was never at its best, they nonetheless offered plenty of threat.

Giggs twice went close early on, volleying on to the roof of the net before rippling the side-netting with a free-kick, while Rooney and Rafael both forced acrobatic saves from Myhill.

The danger was clear and, sure enough, with the interval beckoning Darren Fletcher swung in a near-post cross from the right flank, Giggs deflected it to Rooney, and the lurking England man prodded home from close-range.

With the hour mark approaching, however, Rooney gifted Hull a reprieve, directing a woeful back-pass to Kuszczak which was intercepted by Fagan.

Da Silva bundled over Jozy Altidore from the resulting cross, and Fagan shot unerringly past Kuszczak to ensure that there would be no repeat of Geovanni’s missed spot kick against Arsenal last week.

Sensing the possibility of a win that would lift them clear of the relegation zone, Hull poured forward in search of a winner, but their enterprise was to prove their undoing.

With 17 minutes remaining, Giggs led a United counter-attack, slotting the ball through for Rooney to direct a low cross towards substitute Ji-Sung Park which the sliding Dawson could only direct into his own net.

And Rooney was once again at the heart of the action as United put the polish on their win with eight minutes remaining, directing a slide-rule pass through the legs of Anthony Gardner that enabled Berbatov to score with a tap-in.

Roberto Mancini calmed the turbulence around Eastlands as he started his reign as Manchester City manager with a comfortable victory against Stoke City.

Mancini was warmly greeted by City’s fans after taking charge following the controversial sacking of Mark Hughes – and his opening victory will have been greeted with relief by watching chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak and chief executive Garry Cook.

The pair have been heavily criticised following the removal of Hughes and the hasty succession of the former Inter Milan coach, but they will now hope focus can return to events on the field at Eastlands and the pursuit of fourth place in the Premier League.

Martin Petrov, restored to the side by Mancini, scored the first goal under the Italian’s stewardship with a far-post finish after 28 minutes and Carlos Tevez turned in the second in first-half stoppage-time.

City’s victory was workmanlike as opposed to spectacular, and even in defeat Stoke were occasionally able to hint at the defensive vulnerability that did much to undermine Hughes’s reign before his ruthless dismissal.

Hughes has left one major dilemma behind for the Italian to solve – and it was in evidence as Craig Bellamy was greeted by a standing ovation when he replaced the disappointing Robinho with 20 minutes left.

It was an obvious message to Mancini about Bellamy’s approval rating inside Eastlands, and a sign that his tireless efforts are preferred to the more fleeting glimpses of the Brazilian’s genius.

This is for the future however, perhaps the January transfer window, and all City and Mancini required was the triumph to start yet another new managerial era.

Mancini, resplendent in sky blue scarf and enthusiastically welcomed by those gathered inside Eastlands, was able to reflect on a job well done after his first 45 minutes in charge as City established a two-goal lead.

Stoke, if anything, were quicker to settle than City and in the early stages had the game’s brightest performer in Tuncay. He forced Shay Given into a brave block after 20 minutes and the keeper needed lengthy treatment after colliding with team-mate Kolo Toure after making the save.

Bellamy’s relegation to the bench after Hughes’s dismissal clearly struck a chord with City’s fans, who gave the Welsh striker a rousing reception as he warmed up along the touchline. If these cheers were designed to send a message to Mancini, they were overshadowed by the first goal of the Italian’s reign after 28 minutes.

When Tevez’s cross found Robinho in the area it was debatable what the Brazilian actually intended to do, but his touch fell perfectly into the path of Petrov, who drove home at the far post.

Petrov almost doubled the lead two minutes before the interval when he arrived on the end of Silvinho’s cross in an identical position at the far post, but this time applied a wayward finish.

If Stoke thought Petrov’s miss ensured they would go in at half-time only one goal behind, they were to be disappointed as Tevez scored City’s second almost as referee Lee Mason prepared to blow his whistle.

Gareth Barry won a header from Pablo Zabaleta’s cross and Tevez turned an athletic finish beyond the reach of Thomas Sorensen.

And it was almost three immediately after the break when Sorensen saved well from Petrov and recovered to claim the rebound as Robinho closed in.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was then forced to play all his cards in swift succession as Robert Huth replaced the injured Andy Wilkinson and strikers Mamady Sidibe and Tuncay were removed, James Beattie and Ricardo Fuller entering the action.

Beattie and Huth were both involved as Stoke tried to make inroads into City’s lead. Given reacted well to make a one-handed save from Beattie at the near post, and Huth rose to head the resulting corner just wide.

With 20 minutes remaining there was a significant moment as Eastlands roared its approval for the appearance of Bellamy at the expense of the lacklustre Robinho.

And he almost delighted his legion of fans even further when he broke past Huth into the area, but saw his effort blocked by Sorensen’s legs.

Mancini applauded his players in delight at the final whistle, and can now move to the next stage of his mission – to revive Manchester City.

The FA have charged Arsenal and Hull City with failing to control their players after a fracas in last week’s Premier League game.

“The charge relates to a mass confrontation between players from both sides during the fixture at Emirates Stadium on 19 December,” the FA said.

Players from both teams became involved in a mass scuffle after Arsenal’s midfielder Samir Nasri appeared to tread on the foot of Hull’s Richard Garcia in the second half at the Emirates.

Both clubs have until January 13 to respond to the charge.

Arsenal won the game 3-0 with Nasri cleared by the FA of deliberately stamping on Garcia.

Craig Levein has been confirmed as the new Scotland manager after the SFA agreed terms with Dundee United.

Levein has signed a two-year deal to take control of the national team. He replaces George Burley, who was fired after last month’s defeat by Wales in a friendly.

“While it is a great honour to be asked to manage your country, it was a very difficult decision to leave Dundee United,” said the 45-year-old.

“I have, and will continue to have, a great affection and respect for the club and its supporters, who have given me such strong support from the day I arrived.

“I also leave behind a great bunch of players and a strong backroom staff and I know the club is in good hands.

“It is a great wrench to leave the club and I will keep many great and poignant memories of my time at Tannadice.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Stephen Thompson and his late father Eddie and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them, the directors and all of the staff at the club for their support over the last three years

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres says sacking manager Rafael Benitez will not solve the club’s current ills.

Out of the Champions League and off the pace in the race to qualify for next season’s tournament, the Reds have won just three times in 12 games.

“I think sacking the manager is not a solution,” said Torres, who thinks the players are to blame more than Benitez.

“We have to play much better. The players are the people that have to find a solution to the situation.”

Last season both Torres and Benitez signed long-term contracts, keeping them at the club until 2014.

“It’s a difficult situation but every top team in the world goes sometimes through a bad situation like Liverpool now,” Torres added. “Like every top team in the world, Liverpool will get over the situation.”

While Liverpool have struggled to find consistency this season, the club’s financial strength has also been under scrutiny as American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks reportedly court new investment.

And Torres suggested that while Benitez needed to strengthen his squad, the Liverpool manager did not have the funds at his disposal to recruit high-calibre players.

“Obviously we need players,” said Torres, who has scored 11 goals in 13 league games this seaon. “If we can bring quality players it should be really positive for us.

“But I think the situation is really difficult because I think we don’t have money to bring in the best players.

“It’s a difficult situation but every top team in the world goes sometimes through a bad situation like Liverpool now.

“Like every top team in the world, Liverpool will get over the situation.

“I have confidence in myself and my team. I know we are good enough. We were playing really well last season with the same team.”