Blade Neil's ready for an upset; Sheffield boss warns Arsenal FA CUP Sheffield United 1 1 West Ham United (aet, Sheff United win 3-1 on pens).

Byline: IAN PARKES

SHEFFIELD United manager Neil Warnock has vowed to give Arsenal a run for their money in next Saturday's FA Cup sixth round showdown at Highbury.

The Blades reached the last 16 for the third successive season after a fourth round replay penalty shoot-out victory over fellow Championship rivals West Ham at Bramall Lane.

Warnock's men started superbly and built on their initiative when they took an eight-minute lead courtesy of a superb 20 yard free-kick from striker Andy Liddell, whose double in the third round helped dispose of Aston Villa.

But the home side spurned the opportunities that came their way throughout the remainder of the first half and early in the second, and they were made to pay just after the hour.

Skipper Chris Morgan, booked in the 53rd minute for a foul on Marlon Harewood, was then sent off for a second cautionable offence nine minutes later when he brought down the Hammers striker inside the area.

It allowed Teddy Sheringham to stroke home the spot kick, yet despite their numerical advantage from that moment, the visitors failed to make Warnock's side pay.

For almost an hour, including the 30 minutes of extra time, the Blades dominated proceedings and deservedly went through 3-1 on penalties, with Andy Gray, Jon Harley and Liddell scoring from the spot. Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny also emerged a hero as he saved from Sheringham and Harewood and a delighted Warnock said: ``Arsene (Wenger) will know very well that we will give them a game.

``He knows we are well organised and difficult to beat, as we proved two years ago when we narrowly lost to them (1-0) in the semi-final.

``But I thought we deserved this win, in particular we played some great football at times with 10 men.

``We then got our rewards with the penalties, although after practising them yesterday I didn't think we would win through because we were a disgrace.

``I watched the first four, but then I just couldn't watch that last one from Andy (Liddell). I had to rely on the crowd to tell me what had happened. ''

Liddell felt he would not miss as he said: ``I was that confident.

``I specifically asked for the fifth penalty because I wanted to take the winning one. I took them all during my time at Wigan and I never missed one and I knew I wouldn't miss tonight. ''

West Ham boss Alan Pardew will now focus his side on their bid for a play-off place.

CAPTION(S):

Blades penalty heroes keeper Paddy Kenny (left) and Andy Liddell