2001 FA Cup Final

The 2001 FA Cup Final was a football match held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, 12 May 2001 and was the first final to be played outside of England. The game had an attendance of 72,000. The final was contested between Arsenal and Liverpool, with Liverpool winning 2–1, after Arsenal had led 1–0. It was the second trophy of Liverpool's treble-winning season of 2000-01.

First half

Liverpool were intent on adopting a counter-attacking approach, allowing Arsenal space and possession until they reached the danger area. Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges, but first half was a stalemate as neither side made any clear-cut chances. Liverpool's Emile Heskey was involved in the first contentious moment after six minutes, when he tumbled under a challenge from Gilles Grimandi, but referee Steve Dunn correctly waved away Liverpool's penalty appeals.cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1324699.stm |title=Owen shatters Arsenal in Cup final |publisher=BBC Sport ]

Ten minutes later, Arsenal had a much stronger claim for a penalty kick. Fredrik Ljungberg released Thierry Henry, who broke free of Liverpool's offside trap, skipped around goalkeeper Sander Westerveld and fired a shot which was blocked on the line by the arm of Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz.cite web |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,490417,00.html |title=Five minutes that turned the world upside down |publisher=The Guardian ] The officials failed to spot the offence, despite Henry's appeals.

Despite a couple of half-chances for Liverpool (an Owen shot that was closed down by Martin Keown, and a Steven Gerrard effort from long range that went well wide) there were no other major goalmouth incidents of the first half.cite web |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer_Match_Report/0,,490133,00.html |title=Owen spikes the Gunners |publisher=The Observer ]

econd half

Liverpool finally troubled Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman two minutes after the interval; Danny Murphy's free kick was met by Heskey's head, but he was only able to direct his effort straight at Seaman, who pushed it to safety with his left hand.

Arsenal had another serious scoring chance after 56 minutes. Thierry Henry juggled the ball and switched passes with compatriot Robert Pirès, but was denied by Westerveld; Ashley Cole got to the rebound first and fired goalwards, but Liverpool captain Sami Hyypiä cleared off the line. Hyypiä rescued Liverpool again after 67 minutes, when he headed a Ljungberg lob off the line.

With 19 minutes left, Arsenal finally scored. Arsenal latched onto a poor clearance by Westerveld, and Robert Pirès played Ljungberg clean through; the Swede rounded the Dutch goalkeeper and fired home to make it 1–0. Moments later Henry was given a chance to make it 2–0, but was denied by an excellent point-blank save by Westerveld.

Liverpool survived the Arsenal onslaught, and finally found a foothold in the game when Owen equalised with eight minutes left. Arsenal failed to clear substitute Gary McAllister's free kick, and Owen pounced with a right foot finish past Seaman from eight yards. Liverpool's comeback was completed with three minutes left; Owen was released down the left by Patrik Berger (another substitute), and outpaced both Tony Adams and Lee Dixon before shooting low past Seaman, beating him at the far post. Liverpool held onto their lead for the few minutes remaining, and won the Cup.

Match details

footballbox
date=2001-05-12
15:00 BST
team1=Liverpool
score=2 – 1
team2=Arsenal
report= [http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/2001.htm (Report)]
goals1=Owen goal|83 goal|88
goals2=Ljungberg goal|72
stadium=Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
attendance=72,500
referee=Steve Dunn (Gloucestershire)

Road to Cardiff

Footnotes

External References

* [http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2001/05/2903.htm The FA Match Report]
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/viewgame.asp?game_id=2320 LFC History Match Report]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1254738.stm Liverpool Route to Final]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1254427.stm Arsenal Route to Final]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/1312858.stm Liverpool Player Profiles]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/1311335.stm Arsenal Player Profiles]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1327336.stm Gerrard Houllier Reaction]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1327007.stm Cup Final Player Ratings]

ee also