Associated Press

London, March 2:

Arsenal won a penalty shootout 4-2 against underdog Sheffield United to squeeze into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. A fifth-round replay at Bramall Lane ended 0-0 after extra time as Sheffield ’keeper Paddy Kenny defied the Gunners with a series of saves after the Blades almost took the lead 45 seconds after kickoff.

Gunners’ goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, frequently criticised for blunders during open play, saved two spot kicks in the shootout while Arsenal converted all four of its attempts through Lauren, Patrick Vieira, Fredrik Ljungberg and Ashley Cole. The Gunners will visit Bolton for a place in the semi-finals.

In other fifth-round replays, Blackburn edged Championship side Burnley 2-1 and Southampton won 3-1 at Brentford to set up a quarter-final against defending champion Manchester United.

Held to a 1-1 draw by Sheffield at home, the Gunners went into their replay without forwards Dennis Bergkamp, Jose Antonio Reyes and Robin van Persie — all suspended — and the injured Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Sol Campbell.

The Blades nearly led in the first minute when Andy Liddell broke down the left and pulled the ball back to Michael Tonge. With Almunia off his line, Tonge but prodded the ball over the empty goal.

Arsenal had plenty of possession but didn’t muster a single shot on target in the first half. Ljungberg pulled a shot wide after good approach work by Vieira.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger sent on attacking midfielder Quincy Owusu-Abeyie to start the second half and the teenager almost put the Gunners ahead six minutes later. He broke clear down the right and fired a low, angled shot only for Kenny to get his right hand to the ball.

Spanish Roundup:

MADRID: FC Barcelona drew 0-0 with crosstown rival Espanyol and extended its lead to nine points in the Spanish league.

Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni had three dramatic saves at Camp Nou as Espanyol held firm despite the 66th-minute ejection of defender Daniel Jarque.

Barcelona, bidding for its first league title since 1999, could see its lead cut to six points if second-placed Real Madrid beats Real Betis in Wednesday’s 26th-round games.

Espanyol, which remained without a win at the Camp Nou stadium since 1982, climbed to third place, ahead of Sevilla on goal difference.

Barcelona has 59 points, followed by Real Madrid with 50.

Espanyol and Sevilla have 42 points, one more than Valencia and Real Betis. Villarreal is next with 40.