Arsenal offered replay after controversial goal as Liverpool 'explore options'

02 October 2023 , 09:33

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Liverpool ’s controversial defeat to Tottenham has led to calls for the match to be replayed but it would be an unprecedented decision from the Premier League.

The Reds were left furious with Luis Diaz ’s disallowed goal in North London. The PGMOL have offered an apology for the “human error” that saw the Colombian’s goal struck off, but that has not satisfied the Merseysiders.

Liverpool have threatened to take the PGMOL to task and confirmed their intent to “explore the range of options available” and there are calls for a rematch to take place. It would be a first for the Premier League but one famous FA Cup match was wiped from history and replayed.

Back in February 1999, Arsenal clashed with second-tier Sheffield United in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Patrick Vieira and Marcelo had both scored to leave the clash finely poised at 1-1.

Things very quickly turned sour though after Sheffield United stopper Alan Kelly had kicked the ball out of play so that his teammate Lee Morris could receive treatment for an injury. Understandably, the Blades were under the impression that they were sportingly going to be given the ball back.

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Ray Parlour attempted to do just that but Gunners debutant Nwankwo Kanu had other ideas. He intercepted the throw-in, raced towards goal and squared for Marc Overmars to score into an unguarded net.

Arsenal offered replay after controversial goal as Liverpool 'explore options'

Marc Overmars celebrates his controversial winning goal (Getty Images)

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“I just remember seeing the throw going down the line and then suddenly Kanu was latching onto it and rolling it across for Marc,” revealed former Arsenal star Nigel Winterburn to Goal. “It was just a complete misunderstanding of the etiquette and what usually happened in the English game because it was clear what Ray was trying to do.

“There was a lot of confusion and angry players around. Sheffield United were furious and that was understandable because everyone knew an injustice had taken place.

“I spoke to a couple of their players and could only apologise. I mean, what can you do after a moment like that? It was pandemonium, I don’t think any of us really knew what to do.”

The goal triggered a furious reaction from then Blades boss Steve Bruce, the players and the fans tucked into the away end. Chants of ‘shame on Arsenal’ rained down until the final whistle - as the Gunners secured a 2-1 victory.

Iconic former boss Arsene Wenger was not thrilled with the win and expressed his intent for a replay during his post-match interview. The Frenchman said: “The second goal is a controversial goal and we feel that it is not right. We have the feeling that we didn't win the game like we want to win our games.”

That decision got the thumbs up from both dressing rooms. “It became apparent quite quickly that we had made the offer,” Winterburn added. “I was pleased because I didn’t want to win a game like that.”

Sheffield United walk off the pitch over Arsenal's winning goal (Getty Images)

“Arsene did it straight away,” former Sheffield United captain David Holdsworth said. “It was immediate. He was absolute class.” The Football Association granted the Gunners’ request for a replay ten days later and Arsenal again, and this time fairly, won 2-1. Overmars scored once more, with Dennis Bergkamp also finding the net.

Liverpool will certainly hope that Tottenham are as accommodating as their North London neighbours should the prospect of a replay be suggested once more. Whether they manage to turn around their 2-1 defeat though, remains to be seen.