Huge crowd sees Gunners kids beat
United's
An astonishing Youth Cup record crowd of 38,187 cheered Arsenal to
a narrow semi-final first-leg victory over Manchester United at the
Emirates Stadium.
Lambeth-born Kieran Gibbs netted the all-important winner just
before the hour mark, giving the young Gunners a priceless
advantage for the return clash at Old Trafford on April 2.
Arsenal deserved their success and on this evidence, will fancy
their chances of cementing a final meeting with either Newcastle
or, more probably, holders Liverpool.
The two most successful teams in the competition's history, sharing
15 triumphs between them - nine to United, six to Arsenal - there
was not much to choose between them in the early stages.
Although the opening period failed to produce a save of note from
either goalkeeper, Febian Brandy scuffed a decent early chance for
the visitors, while Kieran Gibbs was not too far away with a header
at the other end.
There was much more goalmouth action after the interval though as
Daniel Drinkwater threatened for United and Nacer Barazite went
equally close for the Gunners.
And it was the hosts who eventually forced the breakthrough just
before the hour mark when Gibbs turned onto Armand Traore's pass,
then beat Ben Amos with a thunderous shot which flashed in at the
near post.
It was the first goal United had conceded in the competition and it
might have been even worse for Paul McGuinness' men by the end as
Amos pulled off an excellent save to deny Gibbs before substitute
Rhys Murphy smashed a shot against the bar.