Lampard: late leveller

Tim Hobbs reports

Frank Lampard proved that Arsenal are not entirely invincible with a late leveller in a titanic FA Cup quarter-final at Highbury.

The Chelsea midfielder pounced seven minutes from time to earn his side a home replay and offer the watching public a second instalment of what some critics have been calling the real cup final.

The two sides of course, met in the proper final last year and after a disastrous start in which they fell behind to John Terry's header, it seemed for much of an enthralling encoounter that they would repeat their Millenium Stadium success.

Francis Jeffers and the imperious Thierry Henry - who also had an early penalty saved - put the Gunners in front only for chances to kill the game off to come and go, leaving the door open for Lampard to serve up some late drama.

With the Premiership title within their grasp and the Champions League soon to become the prioroty again, the last thing Arsene Wenger will have wanted was another high-octane game on the agenda.

But Chelsea were worth the second go, even if their survival was based largely on a breathtaking start and a beligerent finish in which they refused to become the latest in a long line of domestic foes that have fallen at Arsenal feet.

Highbury had hardly settled when Gianfranco Zola burst through only to be denied by David Seaman's block and although the corner was cleared, Arsenal dozed, allowed Jesper Gronkjaer time to return the ball and left Terry free to send a stooping header high into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Stunned into life, the cup holders came cavorting back and Carlo Cudicini was forced into a brave save at the feet of Henry, but on 20 minutes fell foul of Jeffers' tendency to take a tumble in the box.

The keeper came hurtling off his line and although he did not get a touch, the Arsenal striker seemed to leave a foot dangling to draw the foul and the penalty. Paul Durkin's yellow card was just about right, as was Cudicini, who guessed correctly to turn Henry's kick aside.

The Frenchman seemed to take it as a personal affront and from then on teased and tormented Chelsea with his touch and turns, igniting several explosive breaks that suggested Chelsea would do well to make it into half-time still ahead.

In fact, they went in behind.

First, Freddie Ljungberg burst into the box and although his effort was blocked by Cudicini's legs, Celestine Babayaro made a complete hash of clearing the dropping ball and simply put it on a plate for Jeffers to tap home from three yards out.

Within two minutes Henry had glided through down the left only to see his lifted finish come back off a post, but determined to erase his penalty miss as quickly as possible, he made it third time lucky a minute before the interval.

Patrick Vieira lifted a ball over a failing Chelsea off-side trap and taking it on the bounce, Henry somehow twisted full circle away from Cudicini's sliding challenge before rolling into an unguarded net.

Chelsea came back out with substitute Boudewijn Zenden offering more width, but still scratching their collective head and wondering just where their lead had gone.

They were given plenty more to ponder as Ray Parlour stung the keeper's hands, Edu bobbled an effort just wide and sub Robert Pires' corner almosy crept in untouched at the near post before Cudicini got his body in the way and Vieira headed the rebound over.

If converted, the chances would have secured a passage into the semi-finals, but instead gave Chelsea a sniff they were not about to turn their noses up at.

William Gallas should really have levelled long before Lampard as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink picked him out with a free-kick, but again the header was too high. The Dutchman was better with his accuracy soon after but found Seaman standing his ground and the scoreboard remained untouched.

Henry then came off to much acclaim, but the change merely gave Chelsea renewed hope as Arsenal time and again, broke at will but finished wastefully.

They were made to pay seven minutes from time as Hasselbaink's shot, already heading wide, was deflected needlessly behind for a corner.

Again, Chelsea got the aerial advantage as Mario Melchiot glanced in a header at the near post and as the ball bobbled frantically around, Lampard reacted quickly to stab through the legs and earn his side a replay.

Arsenal: Seaman, Lauren, Keown, Campbell, van Bronckhorst, Ljungberg (Pires 64), Parlour, Vieira, Edu, Jeffers (Wiltord 65), Henry (Toure 78).
Subs Not Used: Cygan, Warmuz.
Booked: Edu.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Gallas, Terry, Babayaro, Gronkjaer (De Lucas 72), Lampard, Petit (Gudjohnsen 72), Morris, Hasselbaink, Zola (Zenden 45).
Subs Not Used: Huth, Evans.
Booked: Cudicini, Morris.

Att: 38,104
Ref: P Durkin (Dorset)