PICTURES

WEBMASTER'S COMMENT

"Once again Utd show what a great side they are after beating the holders of the Fa Cup, but what a way to knock Arsenal out. Some say it should get Goal of the Century, some Goal of the Year. Me, I just say it was brilliant. Oh yea, Beckham scored a great goal from 30 yards also."

MATCH REPORT

By Mark Bradley, PA Sport

Just when it seemed as if there was nothing else which this compelling match could produce to shock or thrill, Ryan Giggs scored a simply wondrous extra-time winner to keep Manchester United's dreams of the treble firmly on course.

By the time that Giggs' 108th-minute strike finally settled a titanic FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal, the crowd, let alone the players, were exhausted by a breathtaking spectacle which surpassed even the highest expectations.

A quality strike from David Beckham was followed by a deflected equaliser by Dennis Bergkamp, an effort by Nicolas Anelka which was narrowly ruled out for offside, a sending-off for Roy Keane and even a penalty save by Peter Schmeichel deep into injury-time. But as 10-man United attempted to hold on for penalties in extra-time, Giggs intercepted a wayward pass from Patrick Vieira 10 yards within his own half.

The substitute's burst of speed took him clear of any immediate pursuers before rounding Vieira, then Overmars, then Lee Dixon and Overmars together, before smashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from the tightest of angles.

David Ginola suddenly has a contender for goal of the season and, in terms of importance, it was just as vital as the Welshman's last-minute equaliser against Juventus almost a week ago. It secured United's place back at Wembley against Newcastle and ended Arsenal's chances of retaining the Double - all with four changes having been made to their starting line-up.

Boss Alex Ferguson reacted to his side's growing fixture pile-up, with possibly 11 games in the next 42 days, by leaving out both Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke from the side, while even Giggs was on the bench at the start. The most surprising inclusion was that of former Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham for only his seventh start of the season and his first since Boxing Day but Ferguson's decision was fully vindicated.

For within 18 minutes of the kick-off, Sheringham, whose movement was exemplary throughout the first-half, had set up Beckham for an opening goal of pure quality surpassed only by Giggs in extra-time. Beckham had played the ball into Sheringhan's feet on the counter-attack, received it back in acres of space and struck a right-footed shot from 22 yards almost like a free-kick.

It curled unerringly into the far corner for Beckham's third goal in five games - the first time that the seemingly impregnable Arsenal defence had been breached in 690 minutes of play. The match briefly fizzed into life, with Schmeichel saving at full-stretch from Bergkamp, Martin Keown blocking out Nicky Butt and Sheringham going close twice.

However, a rash of bookings also followed as the tackles became more full-blooded, with Emmanuel Petit, back after his latest suspension, challenging - fairly - like a man possessed in a bid to reinvigorate his side. At one point, he burst clear of the United defence and although Schmeichel was initially slow off his line, he still managed to block the Frenchman's shot with his legs before watching Nicolas Anelka drive an effort into the side-netting shortly afterwards.

United re-emerged after the break in an even more uncomprising mood as they thwarted Arsenal's all-too-predictable attacking forays. And they should have scored themselves when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer escaped the offside trap only to drag his shot harmlessly wide.

Sheringham's vision then set up Jesper Blomqvist, who forced Seaman into a fine reaction save, while both Beckham and Solskjaer came close in a series of counter-attacks at lightning speed. The match seemed to be slipping inexorably beyond Arsenal's reach as even when Anelka finally had a clear sight of goal, he miscued his shot terribly.

Cue Bergkamp.

The Dutchman embarked on a looping run 25 yards out after being supplied by Nigel Winterburn and shot towards goal to be aided by a huge slice of fortune as the ball took a sizeable deflection off Stam and curled into the far corner of the net. The match then exploded into bedlam as first Arsenal celebrated a winner from Anelka as he capitalised on Schmeichel fumbling a shot from Bergkamp - only for referee David Elleray to spot the raised linesman's flag.

While many observers believed the officials had erred in the first encounter between the two sides last Sunday when ruling out an effort from Keane, this time they were spot on as Anelka was just offside when Bergkamp had shot. Then Keane, who had earlier fouled Bergkamp, was shown his second yellow card for a scything late tackle on Marc Overmars with 17 minutes left.

United, who had played against 10 men for most of extra-time in the original game following Nelson Vivas' dismissal, quickly regrouped with Paul Scholes on for Sheringham and Solskjaer supported by Giggs and Beckham out wide. They were inevitably being stretched by Arsenal's fresher legs though and Phil Neville's tired tackle on Ray Parlour as the midfielder burst into the penalty area inevitably led to the spot-kick almost two minutes into injury-time.

Bergkamp stroked the ball just inside the post only to be denied by a world-class save by Schmeichel, who raised his arms in triumph and was engulfed in congratulations by his relieved team-mates. And so, for the second time in four days, to extra-time as Arsenal pressed forward in ever increasing numbers.

Bergkamp was again denied by Schmeichel's reflexes, injuring his groin in the process, but the Dane still managed to keep out a corner which viciously deflected towards goal off Ronny Johnsen. On came Kanu as Arsenal went in search of victory only to be denied by Giggs' wondrous late solo effort.

There was still time for the Gunners to equalise but Tony Adams headed wide and Anelka shot well off target.

A handful of on-pitch scuffles between rival fans at the end threatened to marr the occasion but they were soon contained and this was, thrillingly, United's night. Bring on Juventus.

POST MATCH REACTIONS

Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel admitted he was resigned to facing a penalty shoot-out before his side booked their place in the FA Cup final. Schmeichel saved Dennis Bergkamp's penalty near the end of normal time and turned in a fine display as United won a dramatic semi-final replay 2-1 against Arsenal at Villa Park.

The giant Dane and his team-mates were euphoric after the win, with Ryan Giggs scoring a wonderful individual goal in extra time to seal victory.

"It was absolutely fantastic - that is what players like Ryan Giggs can do," said Schmeichel. "It looked like if we were going to win it would be on penalties. It was a very, very good performance and we are very happy."

Schmeichel, who finished the game with a groin injury, made a great save to deny Bergkamp from the spot.

"It was the right height and it was only a few minutes later I realised it was full time," he said.

Schmeichel said treble-chasing United would not think about their Wembley meeting with Newcastle. Instead they will concentrate on Saturday's home clash with Sheffield Wednesday before they travel to Turin for their Champions' Cup semi-final second leg against Juventus.

"We are going to think about our next game against Sheffield Wednesday at home which is the most important. From now to the end of the season every game is going to count for something," said Schmeichel.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson said he felt that United had deserved the victory and a place at Wembley.

"We had the marvellous save from Peter. I think we deserved the win. Over the two legs I think we were the better team."

Ferguson said he had no complaints about the sending-off of Roy Keane after his tackle on Marc Overmars, and he saluted the grit of his players for playing through injuries.

"We knew right away it was rash tackle. He (Keane) walked away right away. The players have played in agony to get the victory. Ryan Giggs has injured himself near the end, also. There's a lot of pain in there."

Ferguson also felt vindicated for having left strikers Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke on the bench.

"The two strikers (Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer) and (Jesper) Blomqvist were magnificent. If I don't play them when they're playing well, when do I play them? Do you wait till you lose a game? No, you play them now."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "It is not easy to take a defeat, but what you can demand of a team is they give everything. I am very sad today because it was not our night and we were unlucky. That's football.

"The two teams are very close to each other and in the end the luckiest won."

He added: "There's no reproach. I would just like to congratulate Manchester United. They were fantastic. I am very sad but they have shown again they are a great team."

PLAYER RATINGS

By David Anderson, PA Sport

Manchester United

Peter Schmeichel: Penalty save was one of a number of great stops from the Dane who picked up a slight groin injury. 9

Phil Neville: Did reasonably well until he brought down Ray Parlour in the final minute for a penalty. 6

Gary Neville: Performed quite well until the nimble Marc Overmars came on. 6

Jaap Stam: Kept Nicolas Anelka reasonably quiet and was very unlucky for Dennis Bergkamp's goal. 7

Ronny Johnsen: Rock solid at the heart of the United defence. 7

Roy Keane: Another non-stop performance from United's midfield dynamo andwas rather unfortunate to be sent off for his second bookable offence. 7

Nicky Butt: Did his bit in the midfield battle with Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit. 7

David Beckham: Wonder goal was slightly marred by a stupid booking. 7

Jesper Blomqvist: For once replaced Ryan Giggs when he was not injured and mounted a couple of decent runs down the left. 6

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Caused Arsenal problems in the first half, although he faded after the interval when he had one dreadful miss. 7

Teddy Sheringham: Led the line well in his first start since Boxing Day and enjoyed a real old battle with Tony Adams. 7

Substitutes

Ryan Giggs (for Blomqvist, 61 minutes): Did nothing until his sensational match winner in extra-time. 8

Paul Scholes (for Sheringham, 75 minutes): Got United going again after the hammer blow of Bergkamp's goal. 7

Dwight Yorke (for Solskjaer, 90 minutes): Dropped for the first time in his United career, the striker had little joy up front on his own. 6

Arsenal

David Seaman: Beaten for the first time in 690 minutes by Beckham, but had little chance with the goal. 7

Nigel Winterburn: Solid, but unspectacular performance. 6

Lee Dixon: Has had better games for the Gunners. 6

Tony Adams: Sheringham gave him a rough ride and he was not as composed as he was on Sunday. 7

Martin Keown: His weak header led to Beckham's goal and like Adams he could not repeat Sunday's fine display. 7

Emmanuel Petit: Did well on his return from his three-match ban and won his fair share of crunching tackles. 7

Patrick Vieira: Did not get going until the second half and he gave the ball away for Giggs' goal. 7

Ray Parlour: Slow start, but got more into the game after half-time. 7

Fredrik Ljungberg: The Swede failed to fill Marc Overmars' boots on the left. 6

Dennis Bergkamp: Deserved his goal, but missed from the penalty spot in the final minute. 7

Nicolas Anelka: Struggled to make much of an impact against Stam and missed a great chance in the second half. 6

Substitutes

Marc Overmars (for Ljungberg, 61 minutes): Gave United plenty of problems when he came on and Keane was sent off for chopping him down. 7

Kanu (for Parlour, 104 minutes): Did not do enough to make Arsenal's manadvantage count when he came on. 6

Steve Bould (for Petit, 119 minutes): Went on up front, but could not help Arsenal find the equaliser they so desperately wanted. 6

Referee

David Elleray (Harrow): Was a bit over-zealous with his yellow card, but controlled the game quite well. 7

TEAMS

Manchester United: Schmeichel, G Neville, Johnsen, Stam, P Neville, Beckham, Keane, Blomqvist, Butt, Sheringham, Solskjaer
Subs: Giggs for Blomqvist, Sheringham for Scholes, Yorke for Solskjaer
Scorers: Beckham (17), Giggs (110)
Sent Off: Keane (72)

Arsenal: Seaman, Adams, Dixon, Winterburn, Keown, Vieira, Petit, Parlour, Ljunberg, Anelka, Bergkamp.
Subs: Overmars for Ljunberg, Kanu for Parlour, Bould for Petit
Scorers: Bergkamp (69)
Missed Penalty: Bergkamp (91)

Referee: D Elleray