Gray penalty forces replay for Sheff Utd v Gunners

FT Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 1

A last-minute penalty from Andy Gray earned Sheffield United a deserved replay against 10-man Arsenal.

Gray converted the spot-kick after Philippe Senderos was adjudged to have handled Danny Cullip’s shot by referee Neale Barry.

Substitute Robert Pires appeared to have saved Arsenal from a replay in Yorkshire with a 78th-minute strike.

Arsene Wenger’s side had struggled to overcome the loss of Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp who was sent off in the first half for shoving Cullip.

Arsenal had plenty of possession but until Pires tucked away his chance, United keeper Paddy Kenny had repelled all they had to offer with a string of fine saves.

Jose Antonio Reyes was inches away from putting Arsenal ahead in the 72nd minute when he sent a left-footed shot from 18 yards zipping past the right-hand post. The youngster had been presented with the chance following a fine run by Freddie Ljungberg as 10-men Arsenal looked to avoid a replay at Bramall Lane.

Reyes tested the impressive Kenny again with a 25-yard free-kick but the United goalkeeper was again equal to the challenge with a diving save.

However, substitute Pires finally broke the deadlock in the 78th minute when he forced home the rebound from six yards after Flamini’s first attempt had again been palmed into his path by the unlucky Kenny.

Then in the final minute Cullip’s shot was handled by Philippe Senderos and Andy Gray scored from the spot to earn United a deserved replay.