E.ON Great Saves No.9: Jens Lehmann
FA Cup final, May 21, 2005
Arsenal had been second best to United by a distance all afternoon but somehow managed to force the tie to penalties, where Jens Lehmann's heroics secured them an unlikely victory...
FA Cup final,
May 21, 2005
Millennium Stadium,
Referee: Rob Styles,
Att: 71, 876
Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped up first in the shoot-out and confidently dispatched his spot-kick before Lauren replied for Arsenal. Up next was Paul Scholes, who struck his penalty well, but Lehmann dived full-stretch to his right to brillantly deny the flame-haired midfielder. Arsenal would go on to score their remaining four penalties to lift the FA Cup for a tenth time.
Key Figures
Jens Lehmann
Lehmann had plenty of ups and downs during his time in North London, but was at his very best to keep dominant United at bay for 120 minutes. He then capped his man-of-the-match performance by keeping out United's second spot-kick in the shoot-out, springing to his right to palm Scholes' effort away and give Arsenal the advantage.
Paul Scholes
The United legend struck his penalty well and in the corner, but Lehmann produced an excellent save. With Roy Carroll failing to keep out any of Arsenal's penalties, it meant Scholes was denied a fourth FA Cup winner's medal.
Patrick Vieira
Thanks to Lehmann's save, Vieira was given the chance to win the FA Cup as Arsenal's last penalty taker. The skipper took his chance emphatically, powerfully finding the top right corner of Roy Carroll's net to secure victory for Arsenal. It would prove to be Vieira's last kick for the club as he moved on to Juventus that summer.
Did You Know...?
It was the first goalless draw in an FA Cup final since 1912. It was also the first time an FA Cup final had been decided on penalties.
Only Manchester United have won the trophy more times than Arsenal (11).
Lehmann set a national team record of not conceding a goal for for 681 minutes during Germany's friendly against Switzerland in March 2008.
What Happened Next
Lehmann was in fine-form throughout the 2005-06 season as Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time, where he became the first player ever to be sent off in European Cup final as the Gunners were beaten by Barcelona. Lehmann eventually left North London in 2008 to return home to Germany.
This season E.ON is celebrating Great Saves - great energy saves at home and great goalkeeping saves on the pitch. To win an exciting range of football prizes, with everything from signed shirts to a set of four family tickets at the FA Cup final go to eongreatsaves - where you can vote for your favourite FA Cup save off all time.
E.ON Great Saves No.1: Bert Trautmann
E.ON Great Saves No.2: Jim Montgomery
E.ON Great Saves No.3: Dickie Guy
E.ON Great Saves No.4: Gary Bailey
E.ON Great Saves No.5: Dave Beasant
E.ON Great Saves No.6: Mark Crossley
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