But those statistics were rendered meaningless on an afternoon of triumph for City coach and former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini, who pitted his wits in the Premier League for the first time against ex-AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti.

BBC: Chelsea 2-4 Man City

Allan McGregor had returned to the side for the first time since his ban for a late-night drink session under previous manager George Burley.

BBC: Craig Levein admits his gamble backfired against Sweden

But Laws claimed the whole country would be behind the Clarets as the 48-year-old goes head-to-head with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time in his career.

BBC: Brian Laws confident Burnley can beat Manchester United

Birmingham, meanwhile, miss the chance to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1975 but with European qualification still a possibility in the league, manager Alex McLeish will at least have something to focus his players on.

BBC: Portsmouth 2-0 Birmingham

But a slice of bad luck and a lapse in concentration enabled Liverpool managed to make it back-to-back wins in their opening two Premier League games for the first time under manager Rafael Benitez.

BBC: Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough

Speed, the hugely-respected former Newcastle United, Everton and Bolton Wanderers player, would be an untested manager but lately the Swans have a track record of recruiting first-time managers.

BBC: Six on Swansea manager shortlist

But there was no late boost and Chelsea slipped to successive league defeats for the first time in four-and-a-half years after a miserable week in which assistant manager Ray Wilkins was also sacked.

BBC: Birmingham 1-0 Chelsea

But Stein is quick to advocate the manager's role in bringing the non-league side to the fifth round for the first time in their history.

BBC: Crawley ready for 'dream' Man Utd tie - Mark Stein

Redknapp was named Premier League manager of the year for 2009-10 after taking Spurs to Champions League qualification for the first time, and he guided the team to the quarterfinals in Europe the following season.

CNN: Redknapp returns to EPL management with QPR job