LONDON - Arsenal mounted an incredible comeback from 4-0 down to win 7-5 after extra time at Reading in a truly extraordinary League Cup fourth-round tie at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday.
Theo Walcott was the hero, claiming a 95th-minute equaliser to force extra time and then slamming home past Reading's Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici in the last minute of the extra period to complete his hat-trick after 120 unforgettable minutes of football.
"There were so many turning points," said Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger.
"You cannot play for Arsenal and give up. The players understood that at half-time. Give them credit — they responded very well."
The win enabled the Gunners to take their place in the last eight for the 10th successive season, but Reading coach Brian McDermott — a former Arsenal player — was left to wonder how victory had eluded his side.
"It was suicide what went on in the second half and extra time," he said.
"You play each game on its merits but it was extraordinary. I've never seen anything like it. We have to dig deep and move onto the next game versus QPR."
Arsene Wenger made 11 changes to the Arsenal team that beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 on Saturday and Reading tore into them from the off, with Sean Morrison heading against the post after two minutes. The onslaught did not let up, and the hosts were 3-0 up after 20 minutes through a Jason Roberts volley, a Laurent Koscielny own goal, and a howler from Arsenal goalkeeper Damian Martinez that allowed Mikele Leigertwood to score.
Noel Hunt's header made it 4-0, before Walcott dinked the ball over Federici to pull a goal back for Arsenal in first-half injury time.
It looked destined to be a mere consolation, but goals from substitute Olivier Giroud and Koscielny — at the right end — gave Arsenal hope before Walcott squeezed a shot over the line in the 95th minute to force extra time.
Second-tier Leeds United followed up their victory over Everton in round three to beat Premier League Southampton 3-0 and reach the last eight for the first time since 1996.
Middlesbrough, of the Championship, won 1-0 at top-tier neighbours Sunderland, while Bradford City of third-tier League Two overcame top-flight Wigan Athletic 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw over 90 minutes.
Wednesday's (Thursday Fiji time) stand-out tie sees Manchester United return to Chelsea three days after the stormy Premier League clash between the teams that culminated in accusations that referee Mark Clattenburg verbally abused Chelsea's players.