Post by missunited on Mar 15, 2007 12:06:32 GMT
From M.E.N
AN astonishing Youth Cup record crowd of 38,187 cheered Arsenal to a narrow semi-final first-leg victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
Lambeth-born Kieran Gibbs netted the all-important winner just before the hour mark, giving the young Gunners a priceless advantage for the return clash at Old Trafford on April 2.
The Reds will now have to put in a strong performance back in Manchester to earn a final meeting with either Newcastle or, more probably, holders Liverpool.
The two most successful teams in the competition's history, sharing 15 triumphs between them - nine to United, six to Arsenal - there was not much to choose between them in the early stages.
Although the opening period failed to produce a save of note from either goalkeeper, Febian Brandy scuffed a decent early chance for the visitors, while Kieran Gibbs was not too far away with a header at the other end.
There was much more goalmouth action after the interval though as Daniel Drinkwater threatened for United and Nacer Barazite went equally close for the Gunners.
And it was the hosts who eventually forced the breakthrough just before the hour mark when Gibbs turned onto Armand Traore's pass, then beat Ben Amos with a thunderous shot which flashed in at the near post.
It was the first goal United had conceded in the competition and it might have been even worse for Paul McGuinness' men by the end as Amos pulled off an excellent save to deny Gibbs before substitute Rhys Murphy smashed a shot against the bar.
United: Amos, R.Eckersley, Chester, Cathcart, Cleverley; Welbeck, Drinkwater, Hewson, Galbraith, Brandy, Fagan.
Subs not used: Zieler, C.Evans, Bryan, Derbyshire. McCormack.
AN astonishing Youth Cup record crowd of 38,187 cheered Arsenal to a narrow semi-final first-leg victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
Lambeth-born Kieran Gibbs netted the all-important winner just before the hour mark, giving the young Gunners a priceless advantage for the return clash at Old Trafford on April 2.
The Reds will now have to put in a strong performance back in Manchester to earn a final meeting with either Newcastle or, more probably, holders Liverpool.
The two most successful teams in the competition's history, sharing 15 triumphs between them - nine to United, six to Arsenal - there was not much to choose between them in the early stages.
Although the opening period failed to produce a save of note from either goalkeeper, Febian Brandy scuffed a decent early chance for the visitors, while Kieran Gibbs was not too far away with a header at the other end.
There was much more goalmouth action after the interval though as Daniel Drinkwater threatened for United and Nacer Barazite went equally close for the Gunners.
And it was the hosts who eventually forced the breakthrough just before the hour mark when Gibbs turned onto Armand Traore's pass, then beat Ben Amos with a thunderous shot which flashed in at the near post.
It was the first goal United had conceded in the competition and it might have been even worse for Paul McGuinness' men by the end as Amos pulled off an excellent save to deny Gibbs before substitute Rhys Murphy smashed a shot against the bar.
United: Amos, R.Eckersley, Chester, Cathcart, Cleverley; Welbeck, Drinkwater, Hewson, Galbraith, Brandy, Fagan.
Subs not used: Zieler, C.Evans, Bryan, Derbyshire. McCormack.
