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.
Read more about 2005 FA Cup Final: Background, Planned Protests
Famous quotes containing the words cup and/or final:
“I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man: wine is not so noble a liquor; and think of dashing the hopes of a morning with a cup of warm coffee, or of an evening with a dish of tea! Ah, how low I fall when I am tempted by them! Even music may be intoxicating. Such apparently slight causes destroyed Greece and Rome, and will destroy England and America.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“The self-explorer, whether he wants to or not, becomes the explorer of everything else. He learns to see himself, but suddenly, provided he was honest, all the rest appears, and it is as rich as he was, and, as a final crowning, richer.”
—Elias Canetti (b. 1905)