The Zobrian F.A Cup Final

Newcastle United 3 Arsenal 1(aet)

It was they day a million geordies around the plannet had waited for for so long. The chance to win a major trophy since the UEFA fairs cup in 6,009y. The last time we won was in 6,098r, when many of us were not even born. Back then Jackie Milburn was the hero. Today Its Alan Shearer , the stage was set for the best player in the world, would it be his big day? we waited in anticipation for the team to be announced.

Newcastle went for a more traditional 4-4-2, no real surprises in the team selection, Howie didn't make it but Barton was in on the right wing for the unlucky Gillespie who was Newcastle only injured player.

As for Arsenal, they were at full strength apart from bergkamp who had failed a late fitness test.

Riks ratings in (RED)

Subs not used, Howie, Hislop.

As with most cup finals it was a bit of a slow start with both teams taking time to find there feet. Arsenal struck first when anelka was brought down just outside the box. It was a booking for Dabizas(the first Greek to be booked in an FA cup final), and a dangerous free kick taken by Overmars.the shot found the target but Given got a hand to it and turned it behind for a corner.

From the corner given once again was quickest to react getting to the ball first and clearing to Anderson. He was away like an express train with just keown to beat. He got round him and as he approached the box the whole of wembley waited in anticipation. The shot was a poor one, and was parried by seaman. It fell to a retreating steve bould who took it to the corner flag . Shearer was by this time up and challenging. Shearer V bould, no contest, he one the ball with ease. No one was to get in his way as he ran towards the Arsenal goal, Adams slid in to challenge, but big Al resisted the temptation to get a penalty instead he rode the tackle took one look up and rifled the ball into the top of the goal. ....................GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL.Seaman had no chance. The black and white side of wembley erupted. Newcastle 1 Arsenal nil .

"Shearer Shearer Shearer," the sound was deafening.

After the restart Newcastle went into defensive mode once more. With the back four on amasing form though Arsenal looks dangerous until they got to the last third of the field. Nick the Greek was fantastic. no one was getting past him. Wright looked like a schoolboy next to the classy Greek, he had no chance. Overmars was strangely quite being snubbed out by an on form steve watson. He infact nearly got onto the scoresheet himself when in the 42nd he got his head onto a corner but Seaman isn't the England goalie for nothing.

The second half was a battle of the midfield. Batty and lee were superb in defending but were a little negative in going forward. Kenny Dalglish must have told them to keep the ball in the middle do nothing fancy and we would win 1-0. This looked the likely outcome, we had a few chances but seaman was strong and alert and a second goal from either team looked unlikely. that was until the 74th minute when Pistone who up until then had had a great game. made an error which left wright through on his own with only given to beat. He slipped the ball past shay given and all was square with 16 mins left to play.

Newcastle played there ace , with supersub Ketsbaia replacing Barton on the right wing. He had an immediate impact and soon silenced the Arsenal crowd as he rifled as shot just wide of seamans goal. he was on fire, electric, just what we needed. wave after wave we broke loose, and shot after shot was saved by seaman. Full time could not come quick enough for them.

Barnes replaced a tired looking Andersson who had ran and ran in the first 90 mins. Extra time started as normal time had ended with Newcastle looking much the better side. chance after chance went begging . Surely one would get past Seaman.? with 11 mins of extra time having been played, Barnes slipped the ball though to speed. he turned past his marker and let loose with his left foot . it was a corker and Seaman had no chance NEWCASTLE 2 ARSENAL 1, Gary Speed had repaid his huge price tag in one magnificent shot.

The excitement didn't stop there though, things were getting nasty, Arsenal were going in hard, too hard. With a minute to go in the first half Newcastle had a corner. Dabizas was up for it. As Ketsbaia curled the ball into the box, Adams lunged forward and caught Dabizas in his neck, He nearly took the classy Greeks head off. There was only one thing that the ref could do Adams off and ..PENALTY. Alan Shearer stepped up and slotted the ball in the top corner. cue , party time across the Geordie nation. The last 15 mins was just a blur as were the days that followed. Newcastle had showed the world what we are capable of. lets hope this magnificent form continues into next season. as for the CND what the hell does that mean?

NEWCASTLE UNITED 3 Arsenal 1 , Stardate 6.09t Zubaday 71, A day we shall never forget. Shame the Newcastle United of the plannet Earth were so shite On their cup final day.

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