This game contained, in brute list form: a remarkable opening goal from David Beckham (that has been almost
completely forgotten by history, which says a lot about what was to follow); a spawny equaliser; Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira; a (correctly) disallowed Nicolas Anelka goal that was (wonderfully) celebrated for fully a minute and a half; Jaap Stam and Tony Adams; a (
deserved) red card that involved the referee actively pursuing Keane, the better to take (onanistic) pleasure in the act of dismissal; extra-time; Arsenal pressure; a (hopelessly abject) foul from Phil Neville to concede a penalty; a surprisingly tepid missed penalty from Dennis Bergkamp; Peter Schmeichel saving; Peter Schmeichel barking; an unusually sleepy pass from Vieira; and then, that run, that finish, that goal, that
winner, that
completely stupid slalom through a stupified defence.