Match Reports
ARSENAL 1-2 LIVERPOOL Liverpool won their second trophy of the season, and their 6th FA Cup after turning around a game which looked to be heading Arsenal's way. Despite a goalless first half, their was no shortage of action. Both sides settled into the game well although Arsenal had the best chance of the half early on. Thierry Henry was put clear through on goal and took the ball past Westerweld with ease but took too long over his shot. When he finally stopped the ball and got his shot in, it appeared to be put wide by the hand of Henchoz. Nothing was given other than a goal kick to Liverpool. Liverpool failed to register a decent shot on goal but that was mainly due to Martin Keown's defending, who blocked shots from both Owen and Heskey. After the break the game was a lot more open. Liverpool had a chance within a couple of minutes and it fell to Heskey, who headed the ball goalwards from Smicer's cross, but Seaman made a good one handed save to keep the game at 0-0. Then it was Arsenal's turn to attack, and Henry had his second good chance of the game. The French striker found himself again with only Westerweld to beat but the ball was not under control and in waiting for it to drop, Westerweld charged at the ball to block any shot from Henry and after the ball fell loose to Ashley Cole, Hyypia was on the line to clear. But with 18 minutes to go, Arsenal scored the first goal of the final. Ljungberg was played in behind the back four and he rounded the keeper before placing the ball high into the net and out of reach of a recovering defender. And within minutes it could, and perhaps should, have been 2-0. Henry turned inside two Liverpool defenders to create space for a shot, but Westerweld made an excellent save from a slightly weak hit shot, and once again it was Hyypia who was on the line to clear the danger. Then, with less than 8 minutes to go, a free kick played into the area from McAllister was not dealt with by the Arsenal defence, and Owen turned well to fire the ball into the bottom corner and keep Liverpool's treble hopes alive! Owen then went on to net a double with just 2 minutes on the clock. A long ball by Berger found Owen who still had 2 Arsenal defenders to beat, but he powered his was through them and fired across David Seaman to put Liverpool ahead. Liverpool held on and are now 90 minutes away from being the first team to ever win 3 major cup competitions in the same season! View match pictures from this game!
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