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LONDON (Reuters) - Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to score a last-minute penalty and earn 10-times winners Arsenal a 1-1 home draw with Championship (second division) side Leeds United in a pulsating FA Cup third-round match on Saturday.
Leeds, who beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the third round a year ago when they were in the third division, looked on course for another upset win after Robert Snodgrass converted a 54th-minute penalty after Max Gradel had been tripped by Denilson.
Arsenal, unbeaten in 28 home FA Cup games since Leeds won at Highbury in 1997, threw on their big names in an effort to save the tie and managed it when one of the substitutes, Theo Walcott, was pulled back by Ben Parker and another, Fabregas, stroked in the spot kick.
"It was a very difficult game, we started too sloppy and didn't pass the ball well enough and quick enough," Fabregas told ITV television.
"But we managed in the last 20 minutes a very good performance and I think their keeper will be given man of the match, he was fantastic.
"We will have to go to Leeds and play our hearts out. We want to be in every competition."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has never lost to lower-league opposition in the FA Cup but, having rested several of his first-choice players on Saturday, looked set to see that record end.
Arsenal had dominated the first half without finding the net but, after Snodgrass's penalty, had to defend desperately for a spell and could easily have gone two-down when Wojciech Szczesny had to make a great save to keep out a Luciano Becchio header.
Leeds, roared on by 8,000 travelling fans, were gradually forced back and needed Kasper Scheichel to make two excellent saves to keep the lead intact.
In a furious finale Arsenal thought they had been awarded a penalty in the 89th minute, only for the referee to instead penalise the home side for offside.
He had little choice with the second appeal though and after Fabregas had equalised, Schmeichel saved brilliantly from Denilson before Nicolas Bendtner had a fabulous chance to win it for the hosts only to screw his shot badly wide.
In the other early kickoff, Premier League Birmingham City had no problems progressing as they won 4-1 at Championship side Millwall.
The action continues later on Saturday with Everton, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Fulham among the Premier League teams hoping to avoid defeat against lower league opposition.
The tie of the round is on Sunday when Manchester United take on Liverpool, under the guidance of new manager Kenny Dalglish. Cup holders Chelsea are also playing on Sunday, against Championship (second division) Ipswich Town.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar and Sonia Oxley; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Leeds, who beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the third round a year ago when they were in the third division, looked on course for another upset win after Robert Snodgrass converted a 54th-minute penalty after Max Gradel had been tripped by Denilson.
Arsenal, unbeaten in 28 home FA Cup games since Leeds won at Highbury in 1997, threw on their big names in an effort to save the tie and managed it when one of the substitutes, Theo Walcott, was pulled back by Ben Parker and another, Fabregas, stroked in the spot kick.
"It was a very difficult game, we started too sloppy and didn't pass the ball well enough and quick enough," Fabregas told ITV television.
"But we managed in the last 20 minutes a very good performance and I think their keeper will be given man of the match, he was fantastic.
"We will have to go to Leeds and play our hearts out. We want to be in every competition."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has never lost to lower-league opposition in the FA Cup but, having rested several of his first-choice players on Saturday, looked set to see that record end.
Arsenal had dominated the first half without finding the net but, after Snodgrass's penalty, had to defend desperately for a spell and could easily have gone two-down when Wojciech Szczesny had to make a great save to keep out a Luciano Becchio header.
Leeds, roared on by 8,000 travelling fans, were gradually forced back and needed Kasper Scheichel to make two excellent saves to keep the lead intact.
In a furious finale Arsenal thought they had been awarded a penalty in the 89th minute, only for the referee to instead penalise the home side for offside.
He had little choice with the second appeal though and after Fabregas had equalised, Schmeichel saved brilliantly from Denilson before Nicolas Bendtner had a fabulous chance to win it for the hosts only to screw his shot badly wide.
In the other early kickoff, Premier League Birmingham City had no problems progressing as they won 4-1 at Championship side Millwall.
The action continues later on Saturday with Everton, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Fulham among the Premier League teams hoping to avoid defeat against lower league opposition.
The tie of the round is on Sunday when Manchester United take on Liverpool, under the guidance of new manager Kenny Dalglish. Cup holders Chelsea are also playing on Sunday, against Championship (second division) Ipswich Town.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar and Sonia Oxley; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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