The 2005 FA Cup Final was held at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on 21 May 2005 between Arsenal and Manchester United. In a tense but surprisingly one-sided encounter, Arsenal ran out winners after 120 goalless minutes, despite being outplayed throughout the game, becoming the first club to win the Cup on penalties. It was the first goalless draw in an FA Cup final since 1912.
The match took place at the Millennium Stadium for the fifth consecutive year, due to the ongoing reconstruction of Wembley Stadium, the final's usual venue. The match was refereed by Rob Styles, who was aided by assistant referees Jim Devine, Paul Canadine and fourth official Neale Barry.
The game was the 17th FA Cup final appearance for both teams, a record that Manchester United surpassed in 2007. It was Arsenal's 10th FA Cup win; only Manchester United have won the trophy more times, with 11.
Read more about 2005 FA Cup Final: Background, Planned Protests
Famous quotes containing the words cup and/or final:
“In poorer lands
No one touches the water of life.
It has no taste
And though it refreshes absolutely
It is a cup that must also pass
Until everybody
Gets some advantage....”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)
“The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.... The genius of a good leader is to leave behind him a situation which common sense, without the grace of genius, can deal with successfully.”
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974)