Arsenal survive replay scare
Tuesday, March 1, 2005
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Arsenal FC, on penalties, Southampton FC and Blackburn Rovers FC all progressed in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
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By Paul Saffer
Arsenal FC beat Sheffield United FC 4-2 on penalties after a goalless FA Cup fifth-round replay while Southampton FC and Blackburn Rovers FC also overcame lower-division opposition to reach the last eight.
Harley denied
Sheffield United, who struck a last-minute equaliser at Highbury, could have led tonight inside the first minute but Michael Tonge sliced over and there were few further chances before half-time. After the break Arsenal began to dominate, Cesc Fabregas hitting the crossbar, but the home side held out and in the 90th minute, Jon Harley was denied by superb Manuel Almunia save.
Arsenal delight
Extra time was a similar story, with the team from the Championship, England's second tier, holding out desperately to ensure a shoot-out. But Arsenal have not failed to reach the FA Cup semi-finals since 2000, and Almunia stopped consecutive efforts from substitute Alan Quinn and Harley, allowing Ashley Cole to strike the winning spot-kick. Arsenal now visit Bolton Wanderers FC on the second weekend of March.
Southampton meet United
Southampton had been held at home by League One, or second division, side Brentford FC in the original tie, but the Premiership club prevailed 3-1 in the replay in west London. Eddie Hutchinson produced a confident finish to give Brentford a fourth-minute advantage but Peter Crouch equalised within seven minutes. Kevin Phillips converted a Crouch cross not long after the hour to put the visitors ahead and Southampton ensured a quarter-final tie at home to Manchester United FC when Crouch struck again in added time.
Blackburn win derby
Blackburn knew they would face a tough game against Lancashire rivals Burnley FC having drawn 0-0 away last week, and only claimed a decisive 2-1 lead when Morten Gamst Pedersen scored in the 86th minute. Tugay Kerimoglu had registered for Blackburn on 31 minutes but a superb Micah Hyde chip levelled matters before the interval. Blackburn go on to meet another Championship side, Leicester City FC, while Tottenham Hotspur FC visit Nottingham Forest FC on Wednesday in the remaining fifth-round replay.
