Arsenal 1 Sheffield United 0
Freddie Ljungberg's controversial goal saw Arsenal beat Sheffield United 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final here at Old Trafford on Sunday to keep their hopes of a 'double Double' alive.
It needed a brilliant save from England goalkeeper David Seaman, in his 1,000th professional match, to deny First Division United an equaliser six minutes from time and ensure the London giants third successive Cup final.
United subsitute Paul Peschisolido's header inside the box was all but in the goal when out-of-position Seaman readjusted and clawed the ball away from danger after it had passed him.
"Not bad for a 39-year-old," Seaman jokingly told the BBCafter his first match in four weeks following a hamstring injury.
"I just needed to get a hand out. I was pleased to get my hand behind it," Seaman added.
"We weren't at our best today. Maybe we had a little eye on Wednesday (when Arsenal face title rivals Manchester United at Highbury). But we knew Sheffield United would come at us.
Reigning Premiership champions and FA Cup holders Arsenal scored the decisive goal in the 34th minute but only after England centre-back Sol Campbell appeared to foul United striker Wayne Allison from behind.
And there was further controversy when later in the move referee Graham Poll collided with Michael Tonge as the United midfielder went to intercept before the ball eventually fell to Sweden midfielder Ljungberg.
It was all too much for United manager Neil Warnock. "I'm disappointed with the whole secnario. I thought he (Poll) was their best player in midfield.
"He actually enjoyed that performance. It was so one-sided it wasn't true. I wished we'd lost by three or four then I would have nothing to complain about.
"There's no justice whatsoever. To lose to a goal like that is an absolute disgrace."
After the Allison and Tonge incidents, the Gunners enjoyed even more good fortune in the lead-up to their goal, fully justifying their 'lucky Arsenal' tag.
The ball came to Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers out on the left and his pull back found Sylvain Wiltord. His shot came back off the post.
However, the France forward followed up his own strike and as the ball was cleared off the line by United captain Robert Page, it fell kindly to Ljungberg who blasted his shot into the roof of the net.
It was the second time in recent seasons that Arsenal had scored a controversial goal against United in a Cup tie.
Back in 1999 Arsenal won a fifth round tie at Highbury 2-1 when, after Nwankwo Kanu refused to return the ball after United had put it out so an injured player could receive treatement, Marc Overmars scored.
Such was the furore surrounding the goal that Arsenal immediately offered to replay the tie and they won the second match 2-1.
It was a harsh way for promotion chasers United - who reached the semi-finals of the League Cup earlier this season - to concede after they had harried and hassled Arsenal out of their stride.
And then came Seaman's brilliant stop which Manchester City keeper Peter Schmeichel told the BBCwas "one of the best saves I've ever seen in my life".