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Saturday, May 16, 1998 Published at 18:54 GMT 19:54 UK
Sport: Football
Arsenal at the double
![image: [ Goalscorers Overmars and Anelka taste double success ]](/olmedia/90000/images/_94885_overmars_anelka_with_fa_cup_300.jpg)
Goalscorers Overmars and Anelka taste double success
Arsenal 2 Newcastle 0
Two of Arsenal's foreign legion shone in the Wembley sun to give the Gunners victory over Newcastle United in the FA Cup final.
After a scrappy start Arsenal began to run the show in midfield and went ahead in the 23rd minute.
The winger's goal - his 16th of the season - came moments after Anelka had missed a simple point-blank header. Ray Parlour, fed by Lee Dixon, escaped down the right and his cross was perfect for the French 19-year-old, but with Given beaten the ball sailed over.
Newcastle were quick in the tackle and keen to get stuck in - Stuart Pearce playing on despite a head wound.
Newcastle charged forward after the break but were twice denied by the woodwork. First Nikos Dabizas dodged Petit to get to a left-wing free-kick on 62 minutes but his header clipped the top of the bar.
Two minutes later Shearer pounced after Martin Keown slipped, drilling a left-foot shot past the diving Seaman but hitting the inside of a post.
The second goal took the wind out of Newcastle. Howey was lucky to escape a red card when he hacked down Parlour just outside the area. Petit chipped the free-kick over the bar.
Goals from Dutchman Marc Overmars and Frenchman Nicolas Anelka saw the Gunners emulate the 1971 league and cup double winning side.
Countdown to the final whistle (32"
It was a deserved triumph for the north Londoners who dominated the first half, survived a spirited Newcastle recovery then killed off the Geordies with a second goal in front of 80,000 fans basking in the warm sun.
![[ image: Overmars fires Arsenal ahead]](/olmedia/95000/images/_95031_overmars_fa_cup_final_goal150.jpg)
Overmars fires Arsenal ahead
Overmars sprinted onto a long pass from Emmanuel Petit, outpaced Alessandro Pistone and toe-poked the ball between Shay Given's legs.
Alan Green describes Overmars' goal on BBC Radio 5 Live (39")
But they were unable to get much service to England captain Alan Shearer and his strike partner Temuri Ketsbaia. Shearer showed his frustration with a wild challenge on Tony Adams which earned him a booking.
Climbing the Wembley steps ... (4'52")
Newcastle's revival was killed off on 69 minutes when Anelka became the third youngest player to score in a final. He beat the offside trap, held off Steve Howey and fired past Given.
![[ image: Anelka (left) and Parlour celebrate]](/olmedia/90000/images/_94885_anelka_parlour_celebrate150.jpg)
Anelka (left) and Parlour celebrate
The outstanding Parlour came close to a third four minutes from time, weaving through the defence but his tight-angled shot went behind off a post.
Alan Green describes Anelka's goal
