THE EPIC
!!!
ARSENAL 0 - MANCHESTER UNITED 0 (after extra-time)
April 11, 1999: FA Cup semi-final, Villa
Park - The two heavy-weights of English football began
the first chapter of the epic with a high drama throughout 120 pulsating
minutes. United felt cheated when Roy Keane had a goal ruled out
for offside. Ryan Giggs skipped past Lee Dixon in the 38th minute
and crossed towards Dwight Yorke. He nodded the ball back to Keane
who rifled in from 12 yards, but the goal was disallowed because
Yorke was judged to be offside. Despite the sending-off of Arsenal
defender Nelson Vivas, the Gunners held on to force a replay.
ARSENAL 1 - MANCHESTER UNITED 2 (after extra-time)
April 14, 1999: FA Cup semi-final replay, Villa Park -
A game which anyone who was there will never forget. After a tense
goalless first encounter, David Beckham put United in front during
the first half, only for Dennis Bergkamp to level. Then it began
to get interesting. Roy Keane was red-carded, giving Arsenal the
edge. And when the Gunners were awarded a last-minute penalty, victory
looked assured. But Peter Schmeichel turned Bergkamp's effort wide
to send the game into extra-time, where Ryan Giggs took centre stage.
Picking up the ball in his own half, the Welsh winger evaded four
Arsenal defenders on his glory surge into the Gunners box, then
unleashed an unstoppable near post shot which left David Seaman
beaten. United went on to beat Newcastle in the final, clinching
the second leg of their unprecedented Treble.
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