Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson pointed the finger at Ryan Giggs for abandoning his post in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
Steven Gerrard's free-kick looked set to send the Reds to a fourth successive home Premier League win over their bitter rivals before Javier Hernandez equalised with under 10 minutes remaining.
Ferguson, whose team remained six points clear of Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool, believed it was a fair result and was not upset referee Andre Marriner gave Gerrard the set-piece, despite claims Charlie Adam dived.
The United boss was instead more unhappy with Giggs, who ducked out of the wall to allow Gerrard to beat David de Gea from the edge of the box.
It was very similar to last season, when a Luis Suarez free-kick led to Dirk Kuyt ompleting a hat-trick against United and Ferguson was less than impressed.
"It was very difficult. The referee is under a lot of pressure and I'm not surprised they got the free-kick," he told Sky Sports HD2.
Threat
"It's exactly the same as last year. The wide players left the wall and it was bad defensive play.
"I didn't think they were really threatening until they scored the goal but then the game opened up and we took the chance. In the context of today the result is fair."
After United went behind, Ferguson first introduced Wayne Rooney, who had been dropped to the bench after a troubled week in the wake of his red card for England, and Nani.
Then Hernandez came on in place of Phil Jones, who had been playing in midfield to man mark Adam.
"Hernandez did it again," enthused Ferguson. "When you see the goal he was strangled by Martin Skrtel but he managed to free himself.
"His goals-per-game ratio is fantastic. You always think he can score. That is the great thing about him."