10-man Man Utd beat Arsenal on penalties to spark FA Cup into life

Manchester United keeper Altay Bayindir and sub striker Joshua Zirkzee emerged as the unlikely match-winning heroes.

FLASHPOINT: Tempers flare between Manchester United's Harry Maguire (right) and Arsenal's Kai Havertz (left) after Arsenal are awarded a penalty. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

FA Cup third round: Arsenal 1 Manchester United 1 (United win 5-3 on penalties)

So much for the David vs. Goliath romantic fairytales of the FA Cup. Ultimately, it took the two titans of the world’s most famous domestic cup competition to bring this season’s series to life. What these teams lacked in quality, they more than made up for in passion in a thunderous cup tie for the ages that was finally settled by courage, mistakes and a penalty shoot-out.