Smash & Grab

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

This is the common consensus, but I don't actually think we were played off the park

 

5. Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool, FA Cup final, 12/05/2001

 

 

The match in a nut-shell? Arsenal dominated but were foiled by two predatory strikes from Michael Owen, a string of saves by Sander Westerveld and a trademark block with his hands by Stéphane Henchoz. The rosy-cheeked Swiss had previously proved handy when picking up points in a league match against Southampton and had also been on hand to deny Birmingham a last-minute equaliser in the League Cup final and, for the first FA Cup final in Cardiff, he made his characteristic contribution as early as the 17th minute, getting his arm to a Thierry Henry shot after the Frenchman had rounded Westerveld. That was pretty much it in terms of goalmouth action in a first period in which Gérard Houllier's troops allowed the Gunners to knock the ball around while they built sandbags around their box.

 

 

Arsenal proved more penetrative in the second half, and after Westerveld repelled a Robert Pirès effort in the 56th minute, Sami Hyypia had to clear Ashley Cole's follow-up off the line. Ten minutes later the Finn had to clear off the line again, this time nutting clear a Freddie Ljungberg header. With 19 minutes left Arsenal finally scored, Ljungberg rounding Westerveld and shooting into the net. Game over? Not quite. Henry should have made it 2-0 but was thwarted by Westerveld. And then, in the 82nd minute, Arsenal failed to clear a Gary McAllister free-kick and watched slack-jawed as Owen fired past the hitherto redundant David Seaman. As Arsenal walked around wondering how they had not managed to kill the game off in normal time, Owen extinguished the need for extra-time by racing on to a Patrik Berger pass and smashing the winner past Seaman. PD

 

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/nov/13/1

[johngibo YPC]

We f***ing were

I was almost embarrased to look at Arsenal fans after the game

[Murphman]

We played for about 8 minuts and had two goalkeepers. F*cking great weren't it?

[Leo No.8]

Didn't get near their goal for 80 or so minutes.

 

Hyypia cleared three off the line, and Henchoz handballed one off the line as well.

 

Those facts alone tell the story.

 

To be fair, the Arsenal fans around the ground after the game were very gracious considering they had been completely and utterly robbed. Said if you don't take your chances you deserve what you get.

 

I've always like the Arsenal fans since that, even if they aren't the most vociferous in terms of vocal support at their place.

[richwilks]

The battered us but we put them away

[johngibo YPC]

To be fair, the Arsenal fans around the ground after the game were very gracious considering they had been completely and utterly robbed. Said if you don't take your chances you deserve what you get.

 

I've always like the Arsenal fans since that, even if they aren't the most vociferous in terms of vocal support at their place.

 

Had exactly the same experience mate. And have liked the club ever since

[Nerik]

My Dad is an Arsenal fan, so that day was pay back for 1989. The look on his face when Owen's 2nd went in was priceless.

[Swipe]

They battered us. They didn't take their chances and that's why can happen.

[The Hitman]

To be fair,the Henchman saved their chances.

[Leo No.8]

Had exactly the same experience mate. And have liked the club ever since

 

Definitely - the only fans of another club in the top four I've got time for. The atmosphere around Cardiff was brilliant that day with Arsenal and Liverpool fans mixing freely on a lovely hot cup final afternoon.

 

Mutual respect and no animosity at all, which is credit to them in particular with the way the game went.

Edited November 13, 2009 by Leo No.8

[Flasher]

They shat all over us, for 80 minutes

[Gunga Din]

i almost broke a leg celebrating the 2nd. before we scored the first, we were lucky to have nil. had we been 5 down we couldnt have complained.

[jimbolala]

i bust my hand on the ceiling of the bar, now anyone who knows me realises that is quite an achievment. i was standing on top of my seat overlooking a huge crowd of gooners and couldnt beleive we scored 2 haha my mate( a gooner went home in a huff) who let the dogs out haha

[johngibo YPC]

i almost broke a leg celebrating the 2nd.

 

Left hand side fifth pic down for my reaction. Front row. right hand side

http://www.homesoffootball.co.uk/gallery/s...query=liverpool

Edited November 13, 2009 by johngibo YPC

[Gunga Din]

Left hand side fifth pic down for my reaction. Front row. right hand side

http://www.homesoffootball.co.uk/gallery/s...query=liverpool

 

 

i was stood on my seat, on the edge of row, and went a*** over t** down the steps whne the second went in. had a bruise the whole length of my right leg

[Mr. Biscan]

It was my first FA Cup Final, Andy taught me the words to Poor Scouser Tommy on the way home.

 

Was ace

[johngibo YPC]

i was stood on my seat, on the edge of row, and went a*** over t** down the steps whne the second went in. had a bruise the whole length of my right leg

 

Worth it though i'm sure

I remember my dad ending up on his back on the floor of the row in front of us when Vlad scored that last minute header against Chelsea. He was just lying there shaking his fists in joy

[New York Red]

I was sitting int he Arsenal section. I couldn't believe how cool they were about the fact that they lost. They said it was their own fault.

 

Henry showed he wasn't too good on big games that day.

[stressederic]

The highlights for that game should have been on Crimewatch

[Boca]

My Dad is an Arsenal fan, so that day was pay back for 1989. The look on his face when Owen's 2nd went in was priceless.

 

2001 was great but payback for 1989? Not having that. That was gut wrenching.

 

Left hand side fifth pic down for my reaction. Front row. right hand side

http://www.homesoffootball.co.uk/gallery/s...query=liverpool

 

 

You look like you're taking a dump there Gibbo

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Was on my knees with hands on either side of the TV shaking it in my sitting room

[Crazy Horse]

I watched that match sitting next to Ray Davies in a bar in New Orleans.

[Coyler]

I watched it beside a mate of mine who hadn't washed his Liverpool jersey but had ironed it before he came out. Scenty.

[Hector McDougal]

This is the common consensus, but I don't actually think we were played off the park

 

5. Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool, FA Cup final, 12/05/2001

The match in a nut-shell? Arsenal dominated but were foiled by two predatory strikes from Michael Owen, a string of saves by Sander Westerveld and a trademark block with his hands by Stéphane Henchoz. The rosy-cheeked Swiss had previously proved handy when picking up points in a league match against Southampton and had also been on hand to deny Birmingham a last-minute equaliser in the League Cup final and, for the first FA Cup final in Cardiff, he made his characteristic contribution as early as the 17th minute, getting his arm to a Thierry Henry shot after the Frenchman had rounded Westerveld. That was pretty much it in terms of goalmouth action in a first period in which Gérard Houllier's troops allowed the Gunners to knock the ball around while they built sandbags around their box.

Arsenal proved more penetrative in the second half, and after Westerveld repelled a Robert Pirès effort in the 56th minute, Sami Hyypia had to clear Ashley Cole's follow-up off the line. Ten minutes later the Finn had to clear off the line again, this time nutting clear a Freddie Ljungberg header. With 19 minutes left Arsenal finally scored, Ljungberg rounding Westerveld and shooting into the net. Game over? Not quite. Henry should have made it 2-0 but was thwarted by Westerveld. And then, in the 82nd minute, Arsenal failed to clear a Gary McAllister free-kick and watched slack-jawed as Owen fired past the hitherto redundant David Seaman. As Arsenal walked around wondering how they had not managed to kill the game off in normal time, Owen extinguished the need for extra-time by racing on to a Patrik Berger pass and smashing the winner past Seaman. PD

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/nov/13/1

Haven't watched it since for obvious reasons, but I thought the mancs committed the ultimate smash and grab in 99 when they beat Munich after being battered off the park.

[muleskinner]

They did.