On this day: Arsenal match-winner Dennis Bergkamp sees red

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 27 January 2015

Thirteen years ago today, Dennis Bergkamp scored the winning goal and was later sent off as Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 in the FA Cup.

To be seen as a world-class footballer, a player must boast a host of attributes.

While pace, tricks, composure and an overall reading of the game are considered to be vital qualities in the modern era, many of those at the very highest level have another characteristic - nastiness.

That was certainly true of Dennis Bergkamp, who despite being by no means a dirty player, would sometimes display his temper.

Indeed, the Dutchman showed both sides of the coin as his Arsenal side played host to Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup 13 years ago today.

It was the visiting Merseysiders that made the early running at Highbury, but their failure to convert pressure into goals was punished by Bergkamp in the 27th minute.

Thierry Henry sped away from his marker Jamie Carragher down the left flank, which created the Frenchman enough space to cross for Bergkamp, who glanced his headed effort inside Jerzy Dudek's far post.

It would prove to be the tie-winning moment, but Bergkamp would later be heavily involved during a seven-minute spell in the second half that saw three players red-carded.

Gunners defender Martin Keown was first to be dismissed by referee Mike Riley in the 66th minute for a professional foul on Michael Owen.

Then, Bergkamp joined his teammate in the dressing room for a wild challenge on Carragher, who was also red-carded in the same incident for throwing a coin that had been hurled at him back into a section of Arsenal supporters.

Bergkamp's dismissal took Arsenal's tally for the season to 10 and he was also the 42nd player to have been handed his marching orders since Arsene Wenger had taken charge of the club five years earlier.

Speaking after the final whistle, Wenger simply commented: "Our mental strength carried us through."

ARSENAL: Wright; Luzhny, Keown, Campbell, Cole; Pires (Parlour), Vieira, Van Bronckhorst (Grimandi), Wiltord (Upson); Bergkamp, Henry

LIVERPOOL: Dudek; Riise, Hyypia, Henchoz, Wright (Murphy), Carragher; Hamann, Gerrard, Heskey; Anelka (Litmanen), Owen