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Jermaine Beckford at Old Trafford, 2010: Leeds United's Famous FA Cup Shock
On 3 January 2010, Jermaine Beckford scored the winner as Leeds United stunned Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup third round.
One goal, one giant upset
The 3 January 2010 FA Cup tie at Old Trafford is one of the defining modern moments in Leeds United history. Leeds were in League One and Manchester United were competing at the top of the Premier League. There were two divisions and 42 league places between the clubs.
The match
Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United were overwhelming favourites, but Simon Grayson's Leeds side refused to be intimidated. Leeds competed from the opening stages and created the decisive moment when Johnny Howson's long pass released Jermaine Beckford. Beckford broke clear and calmly finished beyond Tomasz Kuszczak.
Beckford, Howson and a famous Leeds performance
Beckford's goal became an instant Leeds United classic. The striker had developed from a non-league player into one of Leeds' most important forwards, and his pace and finishing made him the perfect threat for an upset of this kind. Howson's pass was equally important, while the defensive organisation behind them allowed Leeds to protect a 1-0 lead.
The atmosphere and the significance
The travelling Leeds support turned Old Trafford into a memorable away day. The FA described it as one of the more memorable recent FA Cup upsets, and the victory remains one of the most celebrated matches in modern Leeds history.
What came next
The Old Trafford victory did not itself deliver promotion, but it became a symbol of the resilience of the League One side. Leeds eventually finished second in League One in 2009-10 and returned to the Championship. Beckford finished that campaign with 25 league goals and 30 goal involvements in the league in the available statistical record, before leaving Leeds at the end of the season.