Liddell sends Blades to Highbury

Sheffield United 1 West Ham United 1 aet; score at 90 minutes 1-1; Sheffield win 3-1 on penalties

Andy Liddell, whose goal in normal time had been cancelled out by a Teddy Sheringham penalty to force yesterday's FA Cup fourth-round replay into extra time, scored the decisive spot-kick as Sheffield United won the right to face Arsenal at Highbury next Saturday via a penalty shoot-out.

Andy Liddell, whose goal in normal time had been cancelled out by a Teddy Sheringham penalty to force yesterday's FA Cup fourth-round replay into extra time, scored the decisive spot-kick as Sheffield United won the right to face Arsenal at Highbury next Saturday via a penalty shoot-out.

But the hero of the hour for Neil Warnock's side - forced to play for an hour with 10 men after the dismissal of their captain, Chris Morgan - was the goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, who saved from Teddy Sheringham and Marlon Harewood as West Ham converted only one of their four kicks.

The home side, somewhat unluckily beaten by Arsenal in the semi-finals two years ago, had gone ahead after only eight minutes, Liddell scoring with a beautifully struck low free-kick from 20 yards after Carl Fletcher had brought down Paul Shaw. But West Ham equalised 18 minutes into the second half from a penalty that led to the red card for Morgan.

Until that moment, Warnock's side had been good value for their lead, the pace and width of their attacks stretching the visitors, who were repeatedly grateful for the strength and anticipation shown by Anton Ferdinand in keeping their deficit to a single goal.

Save for one moment when Kenny lost his footing and allowed Sheringham an opportunity he wasted, West Ham had barely threatened. But the penalty after Morgan had brought down Harewood, denying the striker a shooting opportunity, made for a different game.

Sheringham put away the spot-kick in unnecessarily provocative fashion, making a gesture towards the home supporters behind Kenny's goal. Morgan's red card - unrelated to his previous booking - raised the prospect of extra time even with half an hour still left as the home side were forced intro retreat, Warnock withdrawing striker Shaw in favour of the defender Derek Geary.

Alan Pardew's side could never gain the upper hand, however, and the only real chance at either end was missed when an unmarked Hayden Mullins headed over the bar.

Gray put Sheffield United ahead immediately in the shoot-out but Kenny's saves from Sheringham and Harewood were balanced by Michael Tonge and Phil Jagielka both missing the target. Mark Noble levelled for West Ham and Jon Harley edged the home side back in front. Then Fletcher missed and Liddell settled matters.

"Nobody will give us a chance at Highbury," Warnock said afterwards. "But, who knows, maybe they will play their kids."

Goals: Liddell (8) 1-0; Sheringham pen (63) 1-1.

Sheffield United (4-4-2): Kenny; Bromby, Cullip, Morgan, Harley; Liddell, Jagielka, Montgomery, Tonge; Shaw (Geary, 64), Gray. Substitutes not used: Quinn, Thirlwell, Forte, Cadamarteri.

West Ham United (4-4-1-1): Bywater; Repka, Ferdinand, Mackay, Powell; Chadwick (Mullins, 15), Reo-Coker, Fletcher, Noble; Sheringham; Harewood. Substitutes not used: Walker (gk), Lomas, Cohen, Ward.

Referee: M Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).

Booked: Sheffield United Cullip, Morgan; West Ham United Repka, Mackay.

Sent off: Morgan (62).

Man of the match: Ferdinand.

Attendance: 15,067.

FA Cup fifth round draw

Saturday

Arsenal v Sheffield United (12.30)

Bolton Wanderers v Fulham (3.0)

Charlton Athletic v Leicester City (3.0)

Everton v Manchester United (5.30)

Southampton v Brentford (3.0)

Tottenham Hotspur v Nottingham Forest (3.0)

Sunday

Burnley v Blackburn Rovers (1.40)

Newcastle United v Chelsea (4.0)