Pires proves decisive in Cup final

Arsenal FC retained the FA Cup with a 1-0 win against Southampton FC in the final in the Millennium stadium in Cardiff.

Pires decisive
A single goal from French international midfield player Robert Pires seven minutes before half-time proved enough for Arsène Wenger's side who were forced to work hard for their win against a solid and well-organised Southampton team.

Early chance
Arsenal began brightly and might have taken the lead inside the first 20 seconds, as Freddie Ljungberg's pass sent Thierry Henry clear, but having shaken off Claus Lundekvam, the forward saw his shot well saved by goalkeeper Antti Niemi.

Henry denied again
Henry was again involved in the eighth minute as his shot was spilled by Niemi, but Chris Baird was on hand to clear Dennis Bergkamp's follow-up effort off the line. Henry then went clear again four minutes later, bursting on to Bergkamp's pass, but his first touch took him wide of goal and again Niemi was able to save his shot.

Southampton chances
However, Southampton created chances of their own, with defender Michael Svensson volleying narrowly over the crossbar after the ball had broken to him inside the penalty area, and Baird's long-range shot forcing David Seaman into a diving save.

Well-worked goal
The crucial goal arrived in the 38th the minute as Ray Parlour's pass found Henry, who freed Bergkamp inside the penalty area. The Netherlands forward pulled the ball back to Ljungberg, whose shot was blocked, but the ball rebounded to Pires, who scored with a low shot.

Niemi substituted
Arsenal took control after going in front and created a number of clear chances to extend their lead, but were unable to find a way past Niemi again. However, the Southampton goalkeeper had to be replaced in the 63rd minute as he tore a calf muscle, but his replacement Paul Jones performed solidly and produced a good save to keep out a deflected Henry shot.

Late drama
As the match moved into its final five minutes, Seaman was forced into a dramatic save to keep out a close-range effort from Brett Ormerod, before James Beattie saw a last-gasp header from a corner blocked on the line by Ashley Cole and Arsenal held on for a deserved victory.