Arsenal 1–2 Manchester United (1999)
The replay of the 1998–99 FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Manchester United, sometimes titled The Epic, was a football match that took place at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on 14 April 1999.[1]
Villa Park in 2008 | |||||||
| Event | 1998–99 FA Cup semi-final replay | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| After extra time | |||||||
| Date | 14 April 1999 | ||||||
| Venue | Villa Park, Birmingham | ||||||
| Referee | David Elleray (Harrow) | ||||||
| Attendance | 30,223 | ||||||
The game is often described as one of Manchester United's greatest ever, and Giggs' winning goal is frequently cited as one of the greatest goals ever scored in English football.[2] Rob Smyth of The Guardian described it as "the greatest game in the modern era of English football. […] this match […] had such gravitas, subtlety, intensity and excellence that it should have been shown on HBO.)"[3]
Background
Manchester United and Arsenal were rivals at the top of English football; Arsenal won the 1997–98 Premier League with United finishing second, and then Arsenal beat United 3–0 in the 1998 FA Charity Shield. The two teams competed for the 1998–99 Premier League and also met in the semi-final of the 1998–99 FA Cup, which was a 0–0 draw after extra time, necessitating a replay.[4]
Route to the semi-final
| Arsenal | Round | Manchester United | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Result | Replay | Opponent | Result | Replay | |
| Preston North End | 4–2 (A) | — | Third round | Middlesbrough | 3–1 (H) | — |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2–1 (A) | — | Fourth round | Liverpool | 2–1 (H) | — |
| Sheffield United | 2–1 (H)[lower-alpha 1] | 2–1 (H) | Fifth round | Fulham | 1–0 (H) | — |
| Derby County | 1–0 (H) | — | Sixth round | Chelsea | 0–0 (H) | 2–0 (A) |
| Manchester United | 0–0 a.e.t. (N) |
— | Semi-final | Arsenal | 0–0 a.e.t. (N) |
— |
Match
Summary
David Beckham scored an early goal for Manchester United, with Dennis Bergkamp equalising in the second half. Roy Keane, United's captain, received a second yellow card and was sent off for a bad tackle on Marc Overmars. After Phil Neville fouled Ray Parlour in the box, Arsenal were awarded a penalty. Bergkamp's shot was saved by Peter Schmeichel, taking the game to extra time,[6][7] where Patrick Vieira gave the ball away to Ryan Giggs who scored a wonderful solo goal to give United a 2–1 victory and send them through to the 1999 FA Cup final.[8]
Details
Arsenal
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Manchester United
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Statistics
| Statistic | Arsenal | Manchester United |
|---|---|---|
| Goals scored | 1 | 2 |
| xG | 2.51 | 1.62 |
| Total shots | 27 | 16 |
| Shots on target | 9 | 4 |
| Ball possession | 56% | 44% |
| Pass completion | 73% | 72% |
| Passes (completed) | 726 (532) | 579 (417) |
| Pressures | 167 | 195 |
| Pressure Regains | 50 | 47 |
| Tackles won (Attempted) | 31 (43) | 30 (48) |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 3 |
| Red cards / Second yellows | 0 / 0 | 0 / 1 |
Aftermath
A rather weary one from Vieira. Giggs gets past Vieira, past Dixon who comes back at him... it's a wonderful run from Giggs! Sensational goal from Ryan Giggs in the second period of extra time. He's cut Arsenal to ribbons and the team with 10 men go back in front 2–1!
Commentary of Giggs’ winning goal by Martin Tyler[10]
The match was the last ever FA Cup semi-final to go to a replay. In the FA Cup final, Manchester United beat Newcastle United 2–0 to win the Cup, securing the Double, as they had won the Premier League a week earlier.[11] Four days later, they completed the Treble by beating Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League final.
The game is remembered as one of the greatest in English football; it was ranked #38 in The Times' 50 Greatest Football Matches (2019).[12]
Giggs' winning goal is also considered among the greatest ever scored, and his celebration, removing his shirt to reveal copious chest hair, is considered an iconic image by football fans.[13][14] Ian Wright described it as "arguably one of the best goals in FA Cup history."[15] It has been compared to Diego Maradona's solo goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final.[16]
Both Ray Parlour and Arsène Wenger admitted to being "haunted" by the defeat and Giggs' goal.[17][18]
A statistical analysis of the game in The Independent in 2019 gave Arsenal 2.51 expected goals (xG) to United's 1.62; Dennis Bergkamp's penalty miss was considered a key moment that won the game for United.[19]
Notes
- Both sides felt that Arsenal's winning goal had been gained unfairly. Marc Overmars scored following Nwankwo Kanu's failure to return the ball to Sheffield United following an injury. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger offered to replay the tie.[5]
References
- "REWIND: On This Day in 1999 Arsenal clashed with Manchester United in a momentous FA Cup semi-final replay". onlinegooner.com.
- Walker, Dan (2016-10-20). Magic, Mud and Maradona: Cup Football's Finest Tales. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4711-3633-7.
- Smyth, Rob (15 April 2011). "The Joy of Six: FA Cup semi-final memories". The Guardian.
- "On This Day: Giggs tears Arsenal to ribbons". ManUtd.com.
- Campbell, Denis (14 February 1999). "Fair play wins in FA Cup row". The Guardian.
- "Man Utd v Arsenal: Five most memorable meetings". TheFA.com.
- "Peter Schmeichel's save in 1999 FA Cup semi-final cost Arsenal the Double, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer". Sky Sports.
- "Arsenal 1 - 2 Man Utd". The Guardian. 13 April 1999.
- "xG breakdown: United vs Arsenal, '99 semi-final". The Independent. 23 May 2019.
- Wilson, Jeremy (9 March 2015). "Manchester United v Arsenal: That Ryan Giggs wonder goal remembered". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- "Man United 2 Newcastle 0 1999 FA Cup final highlights". ManUtd.com.
- Whitehead, Richard (2019-03-01). The Times 50 Greatest Football Matches. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7509-9115-5.
- Revolta, Doug (20 May 2014). "Ryan Giggs: 10 of his greatest games for Manchester United". The Guardian.
- Ansorge, Paul. "Remembering Ryan Giggs' Manchester United vs. Arsenal 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final". Bleacher Report.
- "MOTD Top 10: How you ranked greatest Premier League era goals". BBC Sport.
- "Giggs - 1,027 games, 34 trophies, one legend". BBC Sport.
- Hopkinson, Tom (7 March 2015). "Arsene Wenger admits THAT Ryan Giggs FA Cup goal against Arsenal still gives him nightmares". Daily Mirror.
- Orme, Daniel (21 February 2023). "Ray Parlour admits he can't watch back infamous Arsenal defeat". Irish Mirror.
- "xG breakdown: United vs Arsenal, '99 semi-final". The Independent. 23 May 2019.