Last-gasp penalty earns Arsenal home FA Cup draw with Leeds

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.      

The Cup 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.