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Sunday, 20 May, 2001, 11:24 GMT 12:24 UK
Your FA Cup final reactions
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Liverpool took all the glory at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, winning the FA Cup 2-1 and breaking Arsenal hearts.
Disclaimer: The BBC will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published.But was it a deserved victory for the Merseyside eleven? Or do you think Arsenal were denied their just deserts? Tell us what you think. Arsenal and Liverpool looked evenly matched as they lined up on the pitch in Cardiff for the first FA Cup final to be held at the Millennium Stadium. But it did not take long for Arsenal to show their determination to take home a trophy as they repeatedly attacked the Liverpool's goal. Liverpool kept their cool, though, and despite a goal from Freddie Ljungberg mid-way through the second-half, managed to take the glory at the last. Two deadly strikes from Michael Owen ensured the celebrations would be in Merseyside. The Arsenal team were devastated, particularly because of two controversial incidents involving Stefane Henchoz. He seemed to commit two separate handball offences, both times denying Thierry Henry a goal-scoring chance. Though Arsenal dominated the match for long periods they failed to finish Liverpool off, leaving themselves open to Owen's deadly late finishing. Were Arsenal robbed or did Liverpool's superior game plan shine through on the day? What was the most memorable moment of the match for you? Was this a classic FA Cup final? And which player do you think deserves special praise for their performance on the day? Send in your thoughts.
If only Wenger would play the genius Bergkamp more, they would not be in this season-long pickle. Just because he doesn't score as many goals as a couple of years ago doesn't mean he's less likely to turn a game around. He has a vision unrivalled in the game, and when he plays about 50% of goals are created by him. Arsene, what have you been thinking?!
This may prove a blessing in disguise for Arsenal. Had they won the cup, Wenger may have been inclined to keep with the team next season. Another season without a trophy means Arsenal have to bring in new players, whether it be from the youth set up or spending big money. The Millennium Stadium is a fantastic venue, and seemed to create a perfect atmosphere for the final.
Owen has had a dip in form over the last two or three years due to injuries b,t he is still only 21 and he has three world class strikers wanting his place which can only push him to acheive more for club and country.
As a lifelong Manchester United supporter, it certainly felt strange to be shouting for Arsenal on Saturday, but it always was a funny old game. Liverpool may win their treble and they may not, but any Scouser who compares it with United's treble is just practising the famous Liverpool sense of humour. When I think of the teams that United beat two years ago - not Wycombe, Birmingham or the worst Barcelona side I have ever seen - and the pulse-quickening skill of their play, it makes this Liverpool team look even more like the robots they are. Sure, Houllier has achieved success, but at the cost of attractive football - even Sounness's cloggers were more entertaining that the current brand of defend-to-the-death tedium we are seeing at Anfield. They are one of the worst teams in the country to watch, however many tin-pot cups they win.
Sab Singh, UK Arsenal have good reason to feel as though their have been mugged, especiallyas blatant hand-balls went undetected through inept refereeing decisions.
Michael Owen truly looked as though he had an Arsenal players video recorder under his arm, when he scored his second goal!
The saying is that a game lasts for 90 minutes, Liverpool played for the whole game whilst Arsenal turned off for the final ten minutes. It shows that you cannot take anything for granted, congratulations to Michael Owen for taking two chances to turn the game on its head.
Mark, UK
I'm an Arsenal fan who was at the game on Saturday. If you look at statistics, over the last 3 years we have had more shots on and off target than any of the premiership teams, but we lose the title by over 10 points, this year and last. It doesn't take a genius to work out we need a proper penalty box striker. Why has it taken Arsene so long to work it out. Gary Lineker once said he would only watch Wimbledon on Ceefax. After their games this season I would rather watch Liverpool there as well. Even the latter George Graham years were more entertaining.
People say Liverpool didn't deserve to win, but a football match is played over ninety minutes not eighty!The fact is that Liverpool showed great character and took their chances when they came along. Perhaps in terms of balance Arsenal were better but Liverpool really have proven themselves, not only against Arsenal but also, Barcelona, Roma, Porto and Man Utd to name just a few.Good job Mr Houllier you are a great manager in charge of a fantastic club!
Liverpool had to play Leeds and Man City on the way to the final. Hardly easy teams. Liverpool deservedly won with the better tactics. Hyypia's goal line clearances were great defending and better than Adams' attempts to stifle Owen. They scored 2, one more than Arsenal. Enough said.
This was payback for 1989 - Michael Thomas's last minute winner to clinch the title for Arsenal over Liverpool. Many of the 'experts' deriding Liverpool's win as lucky probably don't remember the game as it was before football became trendy - but on that day the better team lost. It happens. And its Liverpool's turn to get some luck. They deserve it.
Alex Allen, England
Well, now all Arsenal fans know what it feels like to be robbed from the cup in the last minutes of a game. Should I remind you how you stole the title from Anfield in 1989 with Michael Thomas' strike in the last minute? So this was pay back time. Congratulations to Liverpool.
Arsenal undoubtedly played better but Liverpool are a much better team. The only weak link in the Liverpool first team is Hamman. All the other players in the 14 who played in Cardiff are superb. The same cannot be said of the gunners who have four or five weak links. It is no surprise that their ageing rear-guard were unable to cope with the heat and to preserve enough energy for the end. The next ten years will be Liverpool's.
Why is it that when Man Utd play poorly and win they are a great team, but when Liverpool do the same they are lucky. Don't say Liverpool did not deserve to win. Henry can't score goals when it matters. You can't argue with the bosses tactics, because they are working.
Lee, England
I thought that the FA Cup final was definitely held in the best stadium in Europe and it helped create a fantastic atmosphere. I'm a Liverpool supporter and I'm pleased that they won yesterday but I also thought Arsenal played well but only have their own selves to blame by not putting away their chances. In Liverpool's case this was different as Owen took his chances really well. Finally, well done to the boys at Liverpool and I hope they can keep up their form or merely improve for the UEFA Cup Final on Wednesday.
Of course Liverpool deserved to win. They had fans that didn't stopped singing for 90 minutes. Breathtaking.
The result was nothing but a theft. Of course Arsenal have no one to blame but themselves (and perhaps the referee for not awarding a clear-cut penalty). Their finishing was not what you would expect from this World Cup winning lot. That said, this has been the story of the Gunners for most of this season from their first fixture at Sunderland. (I'm not an Arsenal fan, this is just how I saw it.)
Abdiaziz, Somalia
Arsenal deserved to win the match, without doubt. But they didn't have luck on their side. Had Henchoz's handball been detected, I think Liverpool would have been beaten at least 3-0. Furthermore, I am getting sick of Houllier's defensive tactics, they are making football a very boring game to watch, just like Liverpool's European matches. That ruins the whole notion of football.
What is it with Arsenal and big games? Since we lost that epic cup semi-final to Manchester United we have continued a trend of losing big games, when all the opportunities to win have been there. We missed a crucial penalty at Villa Park and lost. We dominated Galatasaray in Copenhagen and lost, we overran Valencia but lost, and yesterday we outplayed Liverpool and lost. We need some of Liverpool's killer instinct and Manchester United's belief to end this trend or this Arsenal will become known as the great underachievers
Football is not like ice-skating, where you are given points for your performance, but all about scoring goals. Once the equaliser came, then the result was never in doubt. Arsenal played some pretty stuff ,but where it mattered, in the goal mouth, they were woeful. Well done Liverpool!
Wesley M, Wales
I am a devoted and very loyal Gunner, I have supported Arsenal all my life and was very upset after we dominated the game, making more clear cut chances than I thought we have all campaign! The game was undoubtably one of the best FA Cup finals I have experienced and I am still in shock after we looked to have won the game until the Arsenal curse kicked in and we threw away another important lead. I feel that Arsenal will have to bring alot more talent in to break this deppression.We were robbed!!!
Outstanding performance from Liverpool, we defended everything Arsenal could throw at us. It is clear to see that Arsenal played the better football, but the last 10 minutes were the most crucial and Liverpool outclassed Arsenal. I dont' know how Arsenal are second in the League, the second best team in England don't get beaten 6-0 by Man Utd and 4-0 by us. Arsenal are very poor team players with excellent individual players. Houiller is the best manager by far, he has rebuilt a team which can win things.
Andy Kipling, England
I agree with most that Arsenal were the better team in the final, but it's concentration they lack so much of. If they had lasted the extra 10 minutes, and Henry was a more clinical finisher, they would have had the game wrapped up by the 82nd. It was Arsenal's free-kick that lead to the Liverpool winner. Commiserations to Gunners and their fans and congratulations to Liverpool. I hope we get the UK's support on Wednesday night.
It's a shame there is so much talk about the supposed handball by Stefane Henchoz. The goal-scoring chance should not have materialised because it was offside. Thierry Henry wasn't offside but Sylvain Wiltord was. It can be argued he was interfereing with play because being so close to the action he effects the defender's judgement as to where to position himself. There was no injustice done: Had a penalty been awarded and Henchoz sent off, that would have been a gross injustice. As it was, this was a great match, which was not blighted by unbalanced refereeing decisions.
I just think that Liverpool had a better squad than Arsenal on the day. Kanu is a poor finisher, and Bergkamp was not really match fit, whilst Gary McAllister was in great form along with Fowler and Berger, and it showed: With McAllister playing such a good ball in to the box for the equaliser.
Arsenal want new signings, but I can't see them as challengers for the title next season, with Leeds, Liverpool and Man Utd looking so strong. They have still won nothing since the double of 98, do they deserve the credit they get?
Liverpool scrapped a victory courtesy of, one destined for greatness, Michael Owen. To pull off a victory even when not playing well is a sign that this Liverpool team is going places!
Jonathan Cheung, Hong Kong Apparently Cardiff police have been unindated with reports of daylight robbery at the Millennium Stadium. Sources suggest there are eleven suspects, last seen dressed in gold and black and making off with the silverware!
It's a funny old game they same. Sadly, Arsenal found this out to their cost. Unlucky Gunners, but you need to rediscover that killer touch!
Liverpool did not win the game. Arsenal lost it. As they did against Valencia. But what a gem is Michael Owen! What a great future must be in store for him.
Arsenal were by far the better team for the majority of the match, but when Liverpool started to perform in the last 10 minutes, their class showed through. It was a strong, resilient performance by the Reds and it was through their stubborness and Michael Owen's class that the game was won.
Henchoz should have been sent off and Arsenal would have been 1-0 up and Liverpool a player down. Arsenal were by far the better team and once again Liverpool have had all the luck going.
Mike Heap, Australia
Something needs to be done at Arsenal. They consistently make opportunity after opportunity but their expensive forwards can't convert. Paul Scholes or Robbie Keane would have scored several times if they were in Henry or Wiltord's place. You have to feel for Freddy Ljungberg. He played a fantastic match and should never have been substituted especially for Kanu. What on earth was Arsene Wegner thinking?
As an Arsenal fan I congratulate Liverpool on their victory. It was very obvious that Arsenal were a far better team, they are the best team in the Premier League. However, this team cannot score tap-ins, as was very clearly illustrated today, and poor Henry has missed simple goals all year. His miss against Valencia cost us dearly. When is Arsene Wenger going to buy a super goalscorer in the penalty area? Owen would be great.
Khalid Rahmani, Ohio, USA
Mickey Mouse treble, for a Mickey Mouse team. Forget the individual brilliance of Michael Owen, Liverpool were outplayed across the park, and the Gunners fully deserved to win the match, and the Cup. Instead of praising Liverpool for Owen's comeback, let's worry about the sad trend that Liverpool are setting for defensive and scrambling tactics in Cup football.
I'm a Liverpool fan but even I have to admit that we didn't deserve to win. Arsenal thoroughly outplayed us in midfield and their strikers created far more openings that ours did. I have no idea why Arsenal's strikers are being criticised. Houllier's conservative tactics were grating on me as well.
Houllier's plan of hanging back and soaking up the Arsenal pressure was aided by the weather, it seems. Playing offensive football in the hot sun probably sapped the Gunner's strength more than they realised, and the final 15 minutes turned on who could still turn on the speed and strength in the sun. Liverpool have been kissed by fortune this year.
Stephen Gertsen, Wales
It's took 30 years but Charlie George's goal snatched a victory from Liverpool as Arsenal then won 2-1, so today Liverpool turned the tables. It's been a long wait. Luck, maybe but skill from Owen, definately and tactical brilliance from Houllier, undoubtedly and an outstanding performance from Hyypia, undeniably. A fabulous final and a fab season for the boys from up north. Magic, sheer magic !!!
Last time Liverpool won the FA Cup against Sunderland, every round they played including the final was against opposition from lower leagues, and this time they had by far the easier route to the final. And then the Henchoz save with the hand from Henry. Just how much luck can one team get away with?
This cup final is the way all finals should be. Each side on the edges of there seats untill the end. This was a absolutley great game. Arsenal and Liiverpool both deserved to win it, but at the end of the day, Liverpool took there chances and Arsenal didn't.
D Dayal, New Zealnd
Liverpool played well in the last 18 minutes after going down 1-0. Arsenal were the better team but Liverpool had the bigger heart. When Henry missed all those chances, I knew it would be our day! Man United dominated the last five minutes of the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern. All winning teams need luck. We had ours today and long may it continue.
As an Arsenal fan, I want to say congratulations to Liverpool and their fans. In the George Graham days we often were under the cosh for long periods only for Ian Wright to come up with some class finishing. That's how I saw the game today. I'm proud of Arsenal's performance but its goals that count not style. I must say if Arsenal had to lose to anyone, I'd rather it was Liverpool than most others. They were a class act in their heyday and knew then and now how to win with grace. They earned respect that the current Premier League champions will never get. Good Luck in the UEFA but Arsenal will have you next time.
Dermot Brennan, Corcaigh, Eire
Liverpool took their chances, while Arsenal did not, despite making many many more and really dominating most of the game. Liverpool will probably feel that they snatched it from Arsenal. Luck (and everyone needs some) was firmly on their side. Henry was playing brilliantly and must have felt he was up against two goal-keepers - hand ball denied him what would have definately been a goal the first time, and made his second clear chance more difficult! Nevertheless that is life - and it is good to see Liverpool back up there!
Liverpool didn't deserve to win that way. They really didn't, if they won it after extra time it wold be ok, but they did a Man Utd special, and... well, Arsenal didn't deserve that.
The goals from Owen were predictable - Arsenal scored and thought they'd won it. However, the final today was a great final which proves that this is the best domestic cup competition in the world!
Than, Greece
For all the commentators attempts to talk up the Arsenal challenge, the truth is that Liverpool dominated from start to finish. Viera vs Gerrard? Was Viera on the pitch? Henry versus the Liverpool back four? Henry? Was he playing? Come on. Liverpool are a class above Arsenal! Roll on Alaves, Charlton and the Charity Shield. Man Utd, prepare for humiliation!
What a Game!I did not get off my sofa once. Arsenal did deserve to win but hats off to Liverpool who put off a great fight and 2-1 is a great scoreline for the Scousers!
In the end Liverpool clearly deserved to win, they took the chances. It was probably one of the better FA Cups in a while and Liverpool do deserve the victory.
It's fair to say we are fianlly back and it's only a matter of time before the Red Army marches and conquers Europe again! Well done Liverpool and great job Mikey!
I was living in Liverpool as a student. I saw Arsenal beat Liverpool many times at finals. This was the Reds chance to beat the Gunners. Good match. I congratulate all our fans. Liverpool are a very disciplined and well organized team now.They are the best.
Liverpool deserved to win, and I'm glad they did. Even if people do think that it was a lucky goal from Michael.
Because Michael Owen scored the two winning goals, he got man of the match, but I think that Sami Hyypia deserved it more for saving the goals - Liverpool would have lost without him.
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