Arsenal through as red mist hits Highbury

Arsenal 1 Liverpool 0

Arsenal 1 Liverpool 0

Arsenal beat Premiership rivals Liverpool 1-0 in a stormy FA Cup fourth round clash at Highbury today to avenge last year's final defeat by the Merseysiders.

Dennis Bergkamp's first-half header decided the match before tempers boiled over in an ill-tempered second period in which three players saw red in a frantic five minute spell.

Arsenal's Martin Keown was the first player to receive his marching orders for hauling back England team-mate Michael Owen and Bergkamp soon followed for a late challenge on Jamie Carragher.

READ MORE

Carragher was then struck by a missile which he hurled back into the crowd in front of referee Mike Riley, leaving the official with no option but to dismiss the England international as well.

Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger shrugged aside suggestions the red cards would make the headlines instead of his side's achievement.

"I can't control what is in the headlines," he said.

"However I take great pleasure from the performance which made us worthy winners in a real Cup tie that was full of passion and good football," he added.