NEWCASTLE (England), March 10: Newcastle United made all the running and half-a-dozen good chances but had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in an entertaining FA Cup quarterfinal at St James’ Park Saturday.
Arsenal, who won 2-0 on the same ground last Saturday to dent Newcastle’s premier league title hopes, were without the suspended Thierry Henry and left the in-form Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp on the substitutes’ bench.
The tactic appeared justified when Brazilian Edu pounced after 14 minutes to give the visitors the lead in what turned out to be their only clearcut scoring opportunity.
But Newcastle fought back and, after Frenchman Laurent Robert hit the bar and Arsenal defender Lee Dixon cleared off the line in the first half, the home side were rewarded with an excellent 52nd-minute equaliser from the right foot of Robert.
With Arsenal involved in Champions League games for the next two weeks, the replay in north London is not scheduled until March 23.
Meanwhile Middlesbrough stunned Everton with three goals in seven minutes at the end of the first half and then strolled to a 3-0 win at the Riverside Stadium in the to become the first team to make the semifinals.
Quarter-final results
Middlesbrough 3 Everton 0
Newcastle United 1 Arsenal 1
—Reuters































