Forget the romance of the FA Cup.
Because there was no love lost between old rivals Arsenal and Manchester United in this blood and thunder third round tie at the Emirates. Forget the first half, too. Little happened.
But the second one more than made amends, and included a red card, dust-up between both teams, bloodied noses, and a missed penalty won by what Harry Maguire clearly saw as cheating from Kai Havertz.
In the end, 10-man United somehow emerged triumphant from all the mayhem and madness after winning a penalty shoot out. One in which Havertz missed, before Joshua Zirkzee, of all people, held his nerve to score the one which fired Ruben Amorim’s men into the next round. Welcome to the FA Cup, Ruben.
The Portuguese manager had heroes all over the place, not least in back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. While Zirkzee lapped up his fairytale finish in front of some of those same United fans who had jeered him off the Old Trafford pitch just 13 days ago.
(Image: Getty Images)
Given Arsenal’s impressive home record, this promised to be another severe test of United’s progress under Amorim. And it was one they passed with flying colours.
But United had spent most of the first half pinned inside their own half. Gabriel Martinelli thought he’d given Mikel Arteta’s side the lead, but his goal was ruled out for off-side.
All United could do was chase shadows, while attempting to stay in the game. More than 20 minutes had passed before United had some meaningful possession in the Arsenal half. When they did Kobbie Mainoo and Garnacho forced saves from David Raya.
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But the most memorable event of the first 45 minutes was when Gabriel Jesus fouled Bruno Fernandes on the edge of the box. Hapless referee Andrew Madley refused to give it, then booked Fernandes for complaining, while Jesus went off on a stretcher, having injured himself in the process of bringing down the United captain.
But Fernandes got his revenge after the break when he fired United ahead with a stunning finish to end the tedium. A mistake from Gabriel allowed Garnacho to charge free and when he picked out Fernandes, the Portuguese beat Raya with a curling first time strike.
And the goal ignited fireworks in north London. Havertz should have equalised minutes later following a poor clearance from Harry Maguire, but somehow shanked his shot wide from close range.
(Image: PA)
Tempers were rising, not least when Rasmus Hojlund got away with elbowing William Saliba in the face. Moments later Diogo Dalot saw red for bringing down Mikel Merino to get his second booking on the hour mark.
And the resulting free kick led to Arsenal drawing level, when Gabriel pounced on a loose ball and hooked a shot past Bayindir which deflected off Matthijs de Ligt. The whole mood in the stadium had changed.
But Madley had lost control of the game and his woeful decision to award a penalty to Arsenal when Maguire challenged Havertz sparked a melee between both teams. An incensed Maguire accused Havertz of cheating, before Garnacho felled the German with a shove.
Odegaard then missed from the spot, as justice was served. Bayindir produced a world class save to keep out Declan Rice’s shot, while Havertz missed another complete sitter, before the game headed to extra time.