PICTURES

WEBMASTER'S COMMENT

"And so the match goes to a reply, but not without controversial. Keane hit a peach of a volley into Seaman's net only to have it ruled out as Ellery thought Yorke was offside. Yorke was at the corner flag!"

MATCH REPORT

By Mark Bradley, PA Sport

It was the result neither side wanted but even Manchester United were unable to loosen Arsenal's vice-like grip on the domestic Double in their FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park.

The Gunners endured their 10th sending-off of the season when Nelson Vivas was dismissed four minutes into extra-time, were outplayed for long periods but still tenaciously emerged unscathed to set up a replay on Wednesday.

While United will rue a host of missed chances, their anger at a controversial first-half decision which ruled out a Roy Keane `goal' was undiminished even at the final whistle.

Referee David Elleray, who had an inconsistent game throughout, deemed that Dwight Yorke had been offside in the build-up to the strike even though the linesman first raised then dropped then again raised his flag.

Although Arsenal had two late opportunities to claim an unlikely victory, their seventh consecutive clean sheet was built around the heroic efforts of centre-backs Tony Adams and Martin Keown and the tireless running of their midfield.

United's treble dream may still be alive but Emmanuel Petit will be back for the replay and their players looked to be tiring in extra-time against a side who they have failed to beat in their past six meetings.

Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli and perhaps Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti will have been the only men celebrating at the final whistle as United have another fixture in a packed season.

However, with neither of the Premiership's top two having lost a single game this year, a replay had always seemed the most likely outcome.

After an exemplary minute's silence by fans to mark the 10th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, the tie immediately burst into life amid a series of bruising challenges. Gary Neville and Vivas were booked in the first six minutes and David Beckham only just escaped after apparently elbowing Nigel Winterburn in the ribs.

The game nevertheless flowed from end to end with Jaap Stam and Adams both making important interceptions, while Keane and Vieira, both full of running, provided a bulwark in front of them.

Chances came sporadically as Ryan Giggs blasted a shot well over from just 12 yards out and Peter Schmeichel tipped a header from Tony Adams over the bar before then denying Bergkamp. Just as it seemed as if the frenetic early pace had taken its toll though, United looked to have taken the lead on 38 minutes through Keane.

Giggs played the ball outside Lee Dixon on the left flank and, with Yorke in an offside position inside him as he tried to hold his run, the linesman immediately raised his flag only to put it almost straight down again. He raised the flag once more when the former Aston Villa striker _ by now clearly onside - then flicked on Giggs' ensuing cross towards Keane, who blasted his shot into the roof of the net.

But after consulting his assistant, Elleray seemed to agree that Yorke had earlier been interfering with play - despite the linesman having apparently changed his mind. The decision incensed the United players, who berated both officials at length, and Denis Irwin was booked soon afterwards before escaping another yellow card moments later for a tackle from behind.

United had nevertheless seized the initiative and Cole then put Yorke clear just inside the penalty area but he could not get the ball out from his under his feet and fluffed it straight along the ground into David Seaman's hands.

The furious protests continued as the half-time whistle blew but United were straight back on the offensive after the interval as they strung together a series of vibrant moves and Vivas escaped a second yellow card for a trip on Keane.

Keown and Adams continued to stand resolute though and even when Cole was set through by Giggs, he wastefully miscued his shot straight at Seaman. Once again the match started to drift as the tempo dropped, fouls went unpunished and both sides lacked width, with Arsenal increasingly bereft of attacking ideas.

Keane headed straight at Seaman from Yorke's cross, Beckham struck a free-kick inches wide, Giggs directed another dead-ball effort straight at the keeper and Anelka blazed wildly at a chance after bouncing off Stam's challenge.

However, for all United's late pressure, the match was heading inexorably towards extra-time. With Marc Overmars already off injured, Arsenal were further weakened four minutes into added-time by Vivas' sending-off for his second yellow card - an off-the-ball elbow into Beckham's face.

United, with Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now both on, still failed to make the most of their extra man or the increasingly open spaces and their frustration showed as Neville flung the ball away and himself only just escaped a second booking.

Both sides had half-chances with Stam blocking Bergkamp's effort and Yorke firing wide but with three minutes left, it was substitute Fredrik Ljungberg who raced through on goal after being put through by Bergkamp. Schmeichel saved brilliantly with his legs and it took a last-ditch block from Neville to deny the Dutchman himself as he threatened to dribble his way through the entire United defence.

So it is back to Villa Park in three days for another titanic tussle. At least there has to finally be a winner then.

POST MATCH REACTIONS

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson refused to be drawn on the controversial goal incident in their FA Cup semi-final clash with Arsenal saying: "That doesn't matter now. It's going to be even tighter in the replay.

"There is not much between the sides and not a lot of difference today though we maybe had more possession and created more chances."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger refused to accept his team were "lucky" that a linesman ruled out a Roy Keane at Villa Park.

A controversial offside ruling incensed Manchester United - and now both teams face a replay on Wednesday after the match ended 0-0.

Wenger said: "We were not lucky because the linesman had his flag up for a long, long time but the only problem was the referee didn't see him.

"It was a physically tough game, a physical battle. We struggled in the first half and Manchester United played well but we came back into it in the second half."

United could not take advantage of Nelson Vivas' dismissal five minutes into extra time, with the Gunners' defence holding firm.

Wenger added: "We showed great experience. When we went down to 10 men it was very difficult but we had a tremendous spirit.

"It was unfortunate for Nelson because I wanted to change him because he was on a yellow card and is not used to playing in midfield."

PLAYER RATINGS

By David Anderson, PA Sport

MANCHESTER UNITED

Peter Schmeichel: Made a couple of great saves to deny Arsenal including one terrific block from substitute Fredrik Ljungberg. 8

Gary Neville: Booked after just 80 seconds, but bounced back and made a couple of great challenges on Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp. 7

Denis Irwin: Solid as ever and made one vital interception to stop Ray Parlour bursting through. 7

Ronny Johnsen: Quietly went about the job of supporting Jaap Stam and thwarting Arsenal's attack. 7

Jaap Stam: What a contrast from his earlier displays against Arsenal - he was outstanding. 9

Nicky Butt: Came in for Paul Scholes and gave the United midfield that extra bite. 7

Roy Keane: Covered every inch of the pitch as he kept United ticking over in midfield as well as helping out in defence and attack. 8

David Beckham: Relatively quiet game and appeared to elbow Nigel Winterburn in the ribs in the first half. 6

Ryan Giggs: Squandered a terrific chance early and drifted in and out of the game. 6

Andy Cole: Battled away without luck against Arsenal's twin towers of Martin Keown and Tony Adams and shot straight at David Seaman from one good chance. 7

Dwight Yorke: Wasted a couple of great chances in another subdued performance. 6

Substitutes: Phil Neville (for Irwin, 84 minutes): Got stuck in straight away and made some crunching tackles. 7

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (for Giggs, 98 minutes): Added another dimension to United's attack playing on the left. 7

Paul Scholes (for Cole, 112 minutes): Struggled to make any impact coming on so late. 6

ARSENAL

David Seaman: Not really tested and comfortably dealt with what United threw at him. 7

Lee Dixon: Fared all right against Ryan Giggs without really catching the eye. 6

Nigel Winterburn: Needed a few minutes' treatment after a suspected elbow from Beckham and he kept the United midfielder reasonably quiet. 7

Tony Adams: He was as commanding as ever, although in one momentarily lapse he lost Cole and it almost cost a goal. 8

Martin Keown: Made one error when he almost let Cole in, but apart from that he was a rock for Arsenal. 8

Ray Parlour: Unspectacular display from the gutsy Arsenal midfielder. 6

Patrick Vieira: Made some telling contributions, although he was overshadowed by Roy Keane in their midfield battle. 7

Nelson Vivas: Threatened United with his crosses and few were surprised when he was sent off for his second yellow card. 6

Marc Overmars: The Dutchman only showed glimpses of his immense talent and went off with what appeared to be a pulled hamstring at the end of normal time. 7

Nicolas Anelka: Got very little change out of Jaap Stam on this occasion. 7

Dennis Bergkamp: Tried to get Arsenal going up front, but this was not a day for strikers. 7

Substitutes: Fredrik Ljungberg (for Overmars, 90 minutes): Attempted to inject some directness into the Arsenal midfield when he came on. 7

Kanu (for Anelka, 98 minutes): Did his bit up front as Arsenal's 10 men hung on. 7

Referee David Elleray (Harrow): Kept a grip on the game when it threatened to boil over on a number of occasions. 7

TEAMS

Manchester United: Schmeichel, G Neville, Johnsen, Stam, Irwin, Beckham, Keane, Giggs, Butt, Yorke, Cole.
Subs: P Neville for Irwin, Scholes for Cole

Arsenal: Seaman, Adams, Dixon, Winterburn, Keown, Vieira, Vivas, Parlour, Overmars, Anelka, Bergkamp.
Subs: Ljunberg for Overmars

Referee: D Elleray