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Journalism of Courage
Holders Arsenal recovered from a nearly mistake by goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to thrash Leeds United 4-1 at Elland Road in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Manchester United also came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 with second-half goals from Paul Scholes and Liverpool avoided an embarrassing early exit when they scraped a 2-0 win at lowly Yeovil. Louis Saha’s stoppage-time winner in Fulham’s 2-1 victory over Cheltenham denied the third division side a home replay.
Mark Viduka gave Leeds an eighth-minute lead after an embarrassing error from German international keeper Lehmann, whose attempted clearance after a back pass from Sol Campbell was charged down by the Australian striker into the net. The debt-ridden Yorkshire club, in the premier league’s relegation zone and in danger of going into administration, piled forward looking for a second. But, Arsenal, attempting to win the Cup for the third time in a row, quickly regained their composure and Thierry Henry equalised in the 26th minute, blasting in with a right-footed half-volley after pouncing on Freddie Ljungberg’s cross.
The France striker was also involved in Arsenal’s second and third goals. His pinpoint cross was met by Brazilian Edu in the 33rd minute and a pass to Robert Pires three minutes from time allowed the midfielder to drill in from the centre of the area.
Pires then crossed for Kolo Toure to score Arsenal’s fourth in the dying seconds. Ten-times FA Cup winners Manchester United booked their place in the fourth round when Scholes scored twice in five minutes after Gareth Barry had given Villa an early lead.
United’s comeback resembled their tie at Villa Park at the same stage of the competition two years ago, when Villa had been cruising to a 2-0 victory before United scored three in the last 13 minutes. (Reuters)
