Manchester United hosted Arsenal in a game that was crucial for United to keep their lead and put pressure on Chelsea, who play tomorrow at home against Wigan.
On the other hand, Arsenal had to win this game to keep their title hopes alive.
Manchester went into the game after a 1-0 victory against Roma earlier this week, which sent them into the semi finals of the Uefa Champions League. However, Arsenal weren't so lucky after a 4-2 defeat to Liverpool.
Arsenal started the game strong putting pressure on United.
15 minutes in, and United started to fire their pistons. Rooney had several chances to put the home team in front and if it wasn't for Jens Lehman, they surely would have been in front.
On the other side Van der Sar was also brilliant in protecting United's goal. Emmanuel Adebayor had several chances including a one-on-one against Van der Sar, who was up to the challenge to save the shot.
The first half ended pretty much even, with both sides missing several opportunities.
Today's Must Reads
The second half started with an Arsenal goal. Robin Van Persie crossed the ball from the left in United's box, only for Adebayor to head it in, or so the referee thought. Adebayor clearly didn't get a touch on the ball with his head, but with both hands.
Nevertheless, United quickly responded and got a penalty kick. Ronaldo stepped up, shot it to the left and scored, but the referee asked him to play it again as some players had stepped into the box. Ronaldo took the second shot even better, right in the low left corner in which Lehmann guessed right, but couldn't stop it.
United made two substitutions: Tevez for Park and Anderson for Scholes. United Kept putting pressure on Arsenal hoping they would score a second. I
n the 72nd minute, United's break came with Patrice Evra getting fouled on the edge of the box. Owen Hargreaves and Cristiano Ronaldo both step up to take it. Hargreaves curls it over the wall and the ball goes into the back of the net.
Lehmann didn't move, he couldn't do anything.
From then on Arsenal were pushing forward to get the goal back. They had several good chances, but Van der Sar brilliantly stopped them.
Four minutes of added time were given and Arsenal kept pushing forward but United stole the ball and pushed forward. Ronaldo took the ball past the defense and with some neat foot tricks he was able to keep the ball and waste precious time. Eventually Ronaldo was fouled near the corner and the referee blew the whistle.
Joyous screams could be heard around the stadium, this win could have sealed the league title for United.
The first game of four crucial games for United, ended up to their advantage. United surely looked like they miss Nemanja Vidic in the back, their defense was a bit shaky at times.
Next stop for United is Barcelona: Part two of their four steps to the top.
comments (7) write a comment »
write a new comment
4 months ago
Bro, first of all - the first did not end "pretty much even", because Arsenal murdered United in the first 45 mins.
Secondly - Next stop for United is NOT Barcelona, its Blackburn away THEN its Barcelona..
Other than that, pretty much decent report....
4 months ago
Dunno what match you were watching but I don't think either side dominated each other for the first 45 mins. In fact to say Arsenal dominated ANY part of the game is hearsay.
Arsenal failed to convert chances in the final third of the field and when they did breach midfield they had to deal with some solid defending by Ferdinand and Evra, who was outstanding today.
Man United on the other hand should have made more use of their possession and have Adebayor to thank for being useless. And no, scoring with your head down afraid of the ball hitting your face while you have your hands up in front does not count.
It was surprising and strangely refreshing to see Lehman between the sticks and he made 2 good saves but Arsenal was really put to shame by Hargreaves' free-kick. Guess they gave Ronaldo too much respect.
I don't think Blackburn qualifies as a 'stop' as part of their way to the top. The game against Chelsea is more of a 'stop'.
from 4 months ago
Of course Arsenal dominated the early exchanges and were by far the better side. United gradually came into the game but Arsenal for me still edged it until Anderson and Tevez came on.
Blackburn doesn't qualify as a stop? What load of nonsense!! - By that game Chelsea could be level on points. Chelsea play Wigan 2morrow and Everton on thursday. If Chelsea win both, United HAVE to win that game.. which in my book is a 'stop'.
By the way, United play Barca before Chelsea don't they? Doesn't Barca qualify as a 'stop'...?
4 months ago
Ok About The Stops, i have divided united remaining 4 big games into stop. arsenal, barca,chelsea,barca, so you see. next stop is barca, i know that the next EPL game is blackburn
4 months ago
By all means Blackburn is an important game. In fact it is against teams like Blackburn that United tends to drop points.
But i guess Ziad and I were talking more along the lines of 'big' games.
4 months ago
Well that maybe so, but given we're so close to the end, in my eyes, Blackburn and every other game thats left to play for United, Chelsea or any other team playing for anything, is a 'big' game....
4 months ago
Ok once again, Blackburn is a big game, but not as big as the chelsea one , or the 2 barca or the arsenal game of last night.. The 4 stops were the crucial games, the one that if united win them , they will most probably win the league and the champions league....
And i agree everygame is a final from now on
write a new comment