Football - UPDATE 3-Soccer-Sturridge scores as Liverpool edge through, Arsenal held

* Swansea draw 2-2 with Arsenal


* Liverpool beat Mansfield Town 2-1

* Sturridge scores on debut, Suarez triggers controversy (Adds quotes, details of fourth-round draw)

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Daniel Sturridge scored on his Liverpool debut and Luis Suarez caused controversy as the seven-times winners beat minor league Mansfield Town 2-1 to reach the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.



Suarez, who replaced the England striker in the 55th minute, made it 2-0 after just four minutes on the pitch but the goal triggered accusations of cheating after television replays showed the ball had hit his hand.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, however, played down the incident.

"There's no doubt it was handball," he told ESPN television of a goal that proved to be the winner. "Obviously what the referee and officials were looking at was that it wasn't deliberate, which it clearly wasn't."

Neutrals hoping for a magical upset, in a David and Goliath clash typical of the world's oldest knockout competition, were given hope when Matt Green pulled one back for the Stags in the 79th and Liverpool faltered.





Arsenal, without any silverware since 2005 and determined not to let their best remaining chance of the season slip through their fingers after a slow-burning start, equalised through substitute Lukas Podolski in the 81st.



Arsenal's Theo Walcott had the ball in the net but was ruled offside, while team mate Laurent Koscielny fired over the bar on the rebound from a Michel Vorm save. A 51st-minute penalty claim by Arsenal also fell on deaf ears.

"A replay wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, especially with the two League Cup games against Chelsea in mind and the league games coming up," said Swansea manager Michael Laudrup. "It's a very tight schedule. But a replay is better than a defeat."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his side should have won and questioned referee Howard Webb's decision.

"It was a penalty. The referee didn't give it because he thought it wasn't deliberate, but Aaron (Ramsey) didn't trip himself. He was clipped by the Swansea player," he said.




League champions Manchester City travel to second tier Crystal Palace or Premiership rivals Stoke City depending on the outcome of a replay.

Leaders Manchester United, who drew 2-2 with West Ham United on Saturday, have the prospect of a home game against Premier League Fulham or second tier Blackpool if they win their replay at Old Trafford.

Minor league Luton Town were rewarded for their 1-0 win over championship Wolverhampton Wanderers, who sacked Norwegian manager Stale Solbakken hours later, with a visit to Premier League Norwich City. (Editing by Ed Osmond)