Arsenal 0 Blackburn 0
Brad Friedel made a stunning double save from Thierry Henry and Justin Hoyte in the last three minutes after Arsenal were denied a 77th-minute penalty at the Emirates.
Blackburn earned a replay that adds to both teams' already overcrowded fixture lists with a determined defensive display in the FA Cup fifth round tie.
Referee Martin Atkinson studiously refused to acknowledge Stephen Warnock's trip on Jeremie Aliadiere 13 minutes from time.
Then Friedel threw himself at a couple of missiles from Henry and Hoyte late on to preserve his team's second chance.
Even if they had been given the penalty, Arsenal would not have been able guarantee victory on the evidence of their midweek penalty blunders at Bolton.
At least that story had a happy ending for the Gunners but until Emmanuel Adebayor - a two-goal hero at the Reebok - and Tomas Rosicky came on as late substitutes they exhibited little penetration.
Although Blackburn rode their luck and were sometimes allowed to get away with some bad challenges by Atkinson you could not help but admire their dedication to the cause - especially following UEFA Cup exertions in Germany a few days ago.
Rovers, without injured 12-goal South Africa striker Benni McCarthy and midfield star Tugay who was rested, were clearly mindful of their 6-2 Emirates defeat back in December plus another defeat since.
They had the road-blocks on right from the start with Walcott's first two runs down the right ended by crunching tackles from Stephen Warnock and Ryan Nelsen. More
Blackburn earned a replay that adds to both teams' already overcrowded fixture lists with a determined defensive display in the FA Cup fifth round tie.
Referee Martin Atkinson studiously refused to acknowledge Stephen Warnock's trip on Jeremie Aliadiere 13 minutes from time.
Then Friedel threw himself at a couple of missiles from Henry and Hoyte late on to preserve his team's second chance.
Even if they had been given the penalty, Arsenal would not have been able guarantee victory on the evidence of their midweek penalty blunders at Bolton.
At least that story had a happy ending for the Gunners but until Emmanuel Adebayor - a two-goal hero at the Reebok - and Tomas Rosicky came on as late substitutes they exhibited little penetration.
Although Blackburn rode their luck and were sometimes allowed to get away with some bad challenges by Atkinson you could not help but admire their dedication to the cause - especially following UEFA Cup exertions in Germany a few days ago.
Rovers, without injured 12-goal South Africa striker Benni McCarthy and midfield star Tugay who was rested, were clearly mindful of their 6-2 Emirates defeat back in December plus another defeat since.
They had the road-blocks on right from the start with Walcott's first two runs down the right ended by crunching tackles from Stephen Warnock and Ryan Nelsen. More
posted by auto | 9:25 AM
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