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| Arsenal won 5-4 on penalties | |||||||
| Event | FA Cup 2004-05 | ||||||
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| Date | 21 May 2005 | ||||||
| Venue | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff | ||||||
| Referee | Rob Styles (Hampshire) | ||||||
| Attendance | 71,876 | ||||||
← 2004 2006 → | |||||||
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.
Background[]
The match was the fifth meeting between the two clubs in the 2004–05 season. Despite finishing six points ahead of Manchester United in the league, Arsenal had lost both league fixtures between the clubs, as well as a League Cup fifth-round tie, which was played out by the clubs' fringe and reserve team players. Arsenal had won the season's first encounter in the FA Community Shield, also at the Millennium Stadium, by a 3–1 scoreline.
The clubs had met in an FA Cup final before – in 1979, when Arsenal won 3–2. Manchester United were appearing in their 17th FA Cup Final, their second in as many years, and had won the FA Cup on 11 of their previous 16 appearances (including beating Milwall in the 2004 final). Two of these victories had yielded a League/FA Cup "double" (in 1994 and 1996) and in 1999 they had won the 1998–99 FA Cup as part of a unique Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. Arsenal were also appearing in their 17th Cup final, winning nine of the previous 16.
Match details[]
| 21 May 2005 15:00 BST |
Arsenal | 0 – 0 (a.e.t.) | Manchester United | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 71,876 Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire) |
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| Report |
| Penalties | |||
Lauren  Ljungberg van Persie Cole Vieira
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5 – 4 | van Nistelrooy Scholes Ronaldo Rooney Keane
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MATCH OFFICIALS
MAN OF THE MATCH
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MATCH RULES
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