Arsenal lit up by golden Reyes
Sunday, February 15, 2004
Article summary
José Antonio Reyes scored twice as Arsenal FC came from behind to defeat Chelsea FC 2-1 in the FA Cup.
Article body
José Antonio Reyes scored twice as Arsenal FC came from behind against Chelsea FC to keep alive their dreams of lifting the FA Cup three years in a row.
Familiar feeling
Chelsea, now eliminated from the competition by their London neighbours in four successive seasons, had taken the lead through Adrian Mutu, but Arsenal's €25.6m signing chalked up his first goals for Arsène Wenger's side to win the last-16 tie 2-1.
Mutu magic
Chelsea had the better of a lively first half and after Jesper Grønkjær had a headed goal disallowed for offside, Mutu was the beneficiary following a poor clearance by Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann on 40 minutes. The Romanian striker's arrowing left-footed strike gave the retreating German no chance, and the visitors went into the interval ahead.
Rising drive
Reyes has been slow to settle since his January move from Sevilla FC but proved his worth on 56 minutes with Arsenal's equaliser, a sublime rising drive struck into the top left-hand corner from 22 metres. The crowd were still chanting the 20-year-old Spaniard's name when he doubled his tally five minutes later, sweeping Patrick Vieira's neat delivery past Chelsea goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, who had come on moments earlier for the injured Carlo Cudicini.
Liverpool held
In the day's other all-Premiership fifth-round encounter, Portsmouth FC secured a draw against 2001 winners Liverpool FC at Anfield. Michael Owen had given the home side the lead after just 68 seconds, finishing off a sparkling move orchestrated by captain Steven Gerrard. But Portsmouth wing-back Matthew Taylor's thunderous finish on 77 minutes earned the Premiership strugglers a replay.
Quarter-final draw
The draw for the quarter-finals, which will include lower-league sides Millwall FC, Tranmere Rovers FC and Sheffield United FC as well as 1999 winners Manchester United FC, takes place on Monday. The other sides involved are last season's relegated teams West Ham United FC and Sunderland AFC, who drew their respective Saturday games with Fulham FC and Birmingham City FC and face replays later this month.
