슈어맨 would argue that the greatest football match ever was the F.A. Cup Semi-Final Replay between Arsenal and Man Utd at Villa Park in the Spring of 1999. This is the entire year of the famous Treble that was achieved by Man Utd, when they secured the F.A. Cup, European Cup and the Premier League, and indeed to anyone watching them over that season, destiny would be the among the first words used to spell it out that season. And something of the best types of that has been the match contrary to the Gunners.

Utd took the lead by way of a wonderful 25-yard curling shot from David Beckham which nestled into the the bottom left hand corner of David Seamen’s net. The dream start had come for Utd. David Beckham, whatever else he might be, is gifted I feel with a significant right foot, and he has the ability to generate large numbers of spin.

It stayed 1-0 until mid-way through the second half when Denis Bergkamp, Arsenal’s Dutch forward, cut inside from the left wing and struck a go. It had been a weak effort, but gaining a deflection from Utd defender Jaap Stam it hit the back of the net, leaving the goal-keeper Peter Schmeichel stranded. The momentum had shifted. You should remember that in football matches, that momentum can over-ride skill and ability.

And it shifted a lot more when Roy Keane, the tenacious captain of Utd, was sent off for a miss-timed challenge on winger Marc Overmars. It seemed a matter of time before Utd would capitulate. Still they held out. This is usually done because of solid defensive showing where organisation and teamwork are paramount

But lo and behold, in the 90th minute, with the game heading towards extra-time, Arsenal won a penalty as Phil Neville felled Ray Parlour in the box. Up stepped Bergkamp, and this time Schmeichel, The Great Dane, was victorious, guessing correctly that the ball would head to his right. Utd had surely got to extra time. This was no mean feat, saving a penalty is probably the hardest things to achieve in football. It needs guesswork ,reading the opponent’s intentions and committing 100% to a certain position of the target milli-seconds prior to the shot is taken.

Arsenal, though were not disheartened, and continued to assault the Utd defense, with Bergkamp going again close on several occasions. Then in the next period, came the defining moment.

Ryan Giggs, the Welsh Wizard, picked up a loose ball by Patrick Vieira inside his own half. He thus began on a meandering, jaw dropping solo run, that saw him bob and weave through the whole Arsenal defense, before unleashing a thunderbolt into the roof of the net from 6 yards out. Only Maradona and Lionel Messi could claim I believe after that passing of play to possess scored with a far more impressive dribble.