FRENCHMAN Eric Cantona headed an equaliser 10 minutes from time to give Manchester United a 2-2 draw with Sunderland and save them from a shock FA Cup third-round defeat at Old Trafford yesterday.
United trailed 2-1 to their First Division opponents after conceding two goals in three minutes midway through the second half from Steve Agnew and Craig Russell.
Their comeback meant that only Sheffield Wednesday of the Premier League fell at the first hurdle, losing 2-0 at First Division Charlton.
Ian Rush scored the 42nd FA Cup goal of his career to set a 20th century cup scoring record as Liverpool crushed Third Division Rochdale 7-0. Stan Collymore, Britain's most expensive player, hit a hat-trick.
Third Division Hereford fared better against Tottenham, holding the London aristocrats to a 1-1 draw at home after missing a second half penalty.
Both minor league sides were beaten. Gravesend lost 3-0 to Aston Villa and Woking crashed 2-0 at Swindon.
Other top flight clubs lived dangerously, none more so than Coventry.