Reyes lights up Gunners cup bid
(sportinglife.com)
Updated: 2004-02-16 08:50

Jose Reyes lit up Highbury with a brilliant double as holders Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Arsenal's double goal-scorer Jose Antonio Reyes (R) of Spain competes for the ball with Chelsea's Frank Lampard during their English FA Cup fifth round soccer match at Highbury, London, February 15, 2004. Arsenal won the match 2-1. [Reuters]

The Gunners went into the interval with a 1-0 deficit after Adrian Mutu had steered a left-footed shot beyond Jens Lehmann on 40 minutes, but a wonder-goal from ?7m new-boy Reyes was the catalyst for a brilliant Arsenal comeback.

It was Claudio Ranieri's side who made the brightest start to the game, with the Blues midfield of Claude Makelele, Scott Parker and Frank Lampard getting the upper hand over their Gunners counterparts.

Although they did not really create any clear-cut chances, Chelsea were unfortunate to see Jesper Gronkjaer's 35th-minute header from a Lampard cross disallowed for offside.

However, they were celebrating five minutes later when Parker charged down Lehmann's poor clearance for Mutu, who beat Kolo Toure on the left edge of the box before rifling the ball into the far corner.

And with Chelsea looking the more likely side to add a second as the second half kicked off, it took a moment of magic from Spain star Reyes to turn the match on its head.

Picking up the ball 30 yards from goal, Reyes took one touch before arrowing a thunderous shot into the top right-hand corner of Carlo Cudicini's goal.

Arsenal now had the upper hand and Chelsea's chances were not helped when Cudicini limped off to be replaced by reserve stopper Neil Sullivan.

And the former Spurs keeper's first job was to pick the ball out of the back of the net when Patrick Vieira's defence-splitting pass picked out Reyes who fired a low shot into the net, despite John Terry's best efforts on the line.

Chelsea sent on Eidur Gudjohnsen and Joe Cole in an attempt to find an equaliser, but the Gunners defence held firm to end the Blues' FA Cup hopes for the fourth successive season.

Liverpool completely dominated their match at Anfield after Michael Owen gave them a second minute lead but the Reds will have to travel to Fratton Park after Matt Taylor's 77th minute equaliser secured a replay for Portsmouth.

Liverpool's Michael Owen (R) celebrates his goal against Portsmouth during their English FA Cup fifth round soccer match at Anfield, Liverpool, February 15, 2004. [Reuters]

Liverpool's goal came after neat build up play by Cheyrou and Gerrard and it was the captain's ball that found Owen in the box and the England striker finished with calm aplomb.

Liverpool then held onto possession consistently but failed to find a second.

Gerrard was again imperious driving Liverpool forward and had a good penalty appeal turned down in the second half.

He also featured in the move that saw Heskey shoot comfortably wide when he had plenty of space and time to finish.

Portsmouth then had Shaka Hislop to thank after he kept them in the game with a superb save from Carragher.

Liverpool eventually paid the price when substitute Matt Taylor smashed home after great work by Smertin down the right.

Famed Cup fighters Sheffield United are also in the quarter-finals after a gritty 1-0 victory over Colchester.

Manager Neil Warnock's side reached the last four of both the FA Cup and the Worthington Cup last season.

And now they face the prospect of another glamour tie after Paul Peschisolido's second-half goal accounted for Nationwide Two Colchester.

The Canadian striker headed home from Alan Wright's free kick just after the hour mark and though the Us batlted to get back into the game, the Blades held on to keep up another great Cup run.

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