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Arturo Lupoli started up front but got little service because United were closing fast, denying space, working well and bumping players off the ball. Most people who are aware of the Laws of the Game call this obstruction, but referee Paul Dowd and his assistants didn't call it anything because they either didn't see it or thought it quite permissible. Throughout the course of the match Sheffield made 24 fouls against Arsenal's 14, but we had three players booked to their one, perhaps Warnock would like to explain that one! Vieira was fouled almost every time he got the ball, which was often.
United should have gone ahead in the first minute when a run down the right was well crossed and found Tonge, who missed a sitter. After this early excitement not a lot happened at either end for the remainder of the half. Sheffield seemed to be playing for extra time and penalties from the off, but to their credit they were doing it well. Their fans are as ignorant as ever as was amply demonstrated when Cygan got kicked in the face by Gray 'Same old Arsenal always cheating' as Cygan fell to his knees. The TV close up clearly showed the marks on his head. The first half was tedious even though Sheffield defended well. Vieira was fouled by his shadow Montgomery time and time again. A Fabregas run, a one-two with Ash and Freddie shot with the outside of his boot. A Vieira snatched shot. A Vieira break down the right and a stunning ball in saved by Kenny as Cole dived to head. There were boos for Fabregas throughout, not I assume for putting his head in the way of Cullip's studs who quite ironically was suspended for this match. Our forwards found little or no space so the likes of Senderos often went on long runs. Frustration for Arsenal, who had about 65% possession, and long throw-ins from Sheffield about sums up the half, set plays versus football.
Half time.
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Pat and Montgomery went down with an accidental clash of heads, both players required treatment. The crowd had gone quite as Arsenal were well on top of the game by now. United had a short spell where we failed to clear with conviction but it didn't take long for us to get up a head of steam again.
Quincy found Freddie with a killer ball but a great tackle conceded a corner. Cesc's corner was punched clear. A Cole shot from deep won our millionth corner. A United free kick wasted with a foul on Almunia. Freddie took another whack off the ball on the edge of their box, the officials continued as usual as if nothing had happened and continued to run around with their white sticks. Cole to Vieira on a great run. A long United throw from Bromby saw a flicked header from Morgan go onto the roof of our net. A great move involving Quincy, Cygan and Freddie saw Cesc have his shot saved, as was Quincy's. Pat and Montgomery were at it after Montgomery grabbed Pat by the back of his neck at a corner. Tonge failed to connect for a shot in what looked an offside move. Our corner count was still mounting while at the other end United had their best chance when Harley's header was tipped over well by Almunia. A failed lob from Morgan followed but it was still all Arsenal with wave after wave of attacks and the occasional great run from Clichy who were on top at the end of full time. The second half had been altogether livelier than the first.
Extra time saw Toure replace Fabregas. Cesc had played well and looked quite miffed to be taken off. Tonge was given offside when he clearly wasn't but his shot was woefully wild anyway. Brilliant run by Quincy who found Freddie but Ljungberg couldn't quite dig it out from under his feet. Quinn replaced Tonge. A handball claim from a Quincy cross but it was clearly ball to hand. Our front three were Quincy, Kolo and Ashley for most of extra time. Lauren was booked for a foul on Harley.
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So many Arsenal players donned what looked like 'Arsenal blankets' as the two goalkeepers shook hands and proceedings moved to the goal in front of United's Kop for the dreaded Penalty Shootout. Brown trousers were no doubt changed into as the tension mounted. The tension was intense in my front room, the cider was disappearing at an alarming rate and I had no time to go to the kitchen for another refill as Sheffield United opening their penalty count.
Gray for United - wide to Almunia's left 1-0
Ralph for Arsenal - straight down the middle as Kenny dived left - cool or
what? 1-1
Jagielka - saved low to Almunia's right 1-1 - No - it's a retake as Manuel
was just half a yard off his line when the ball was struck!
Jagielka - low, same direction, slightly better placed 2-1
Pat - Looked calm - sent the keeper wrong way 2-2
Quinn - Almunia saves to his right with a strong right hand 2-2
Freddie - Great pen, low into the corner 3-2
Harley - Almunia dived to his left, Harley hit it to Almunia's right but
Manuel saved with his big toe. 3-2 and it was looking good.
Ashley stepped up - If he scores we've won, he looked cool, low into the
corner - nice one 4-2... and that was a seriously good set of penalties.
Very well played Almunia.
This was our first clean sheet for seventeen games. And I'll end it there with a two-fingered reminder to Hansen, Shearer and Strachan who all plumped for United to win pre-match, although Gordon did at least change his mind at half time. Pundits eh? As they would no doubt tell you football is a game of two halves, or in this case four halves and penalties.