Bergkamp sent off in Cup clash
HT Arsenal 0 Sheff Utd 0
Arsenal’s Dennis Bergkamp was sent off in the opening half of a pulsating FA Cup fifth round tie at Highbury.
The Dutchman appeared to shove Sheffield United defender Danny Cullip in the chest and referee Neale Barry immediately reached for the red card.
Bergkamp had reacted angrily after players from both became embroiled in a mass confrontation over a number of fierce challenges by Cullip and Nick Montgomery.
United had a goal ruled out for a foul and Manuel Almunia made a point blank save to deny Andy Gray an eighth minute opener – but Arsenal failed to capitalise on plenty of possession, with Jose Antonio Reyes’ low effort which was saved by Paddy Kenny their best chance of a tempestuous opening period.
Dennis Bergkamp went close for Arsenal in the 25th minute when he tried to curl his 18-yard effort into the top corner of the net – however, he could not keep his shot down and it just flew over the bar.
Three minutes later Kenny did well to palm another Van Persie shot away for a corner as Arsenal began to turn up the heat on their Coca-Cola Championship opponents.
Kenny produced another fine stop from Jose Antonio Reyes as the Gunners searched for a nerve-settling opening goal.
Leigh Bromby then wasted a chance at the opposite end when Andy Liddell’s free-kick picked him out in plenty of space inside the Arsenal penalty area.
The big defender rose unchallenged but could not direct his header on target and the home side’s momentary lapse of concentration went unpunished.
The impressive Liddell then sent a right foot volley flashing just wide of Almunia’s left-hand post.
Ten minutes from half-time Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when Dutch maestro Dennis Bergkamp was handed a red card by referee Neale Barry.
Arsenal’s players were incensed about a number of challenges by Nick Montgomery and Danny Cullip and in the melee that followed, Bergkamp appeared to raise his hands and push Cullip away.
Barry immediately reached for the red card to the fury of Arsene Wenger and Bergkamp’s team-mates.
The dismissal then sparked a flurry of bookings with United’s Liddell and Paul Thirlwell added to Barry’s notebook along with Francesc Fabregas of Arsenal for a foul on Montgomery.
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