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Article by Mark
Graham, Stats Nerd
Manchester United 2 v 1 Arsenal,
Old Trafford,
Manchester,
16.00pm, Sunday 13th April
2008.
Goals:
Manchester United:
Ronaldo (54) pen, Hargreaves (72) - Arsenal:
Adebayor (48).
Attendance: 75,985
A victory at Old Trafford against the Gunners finally saw
United shake the remaining life out of Arsenal's ailing
season even though the visitors were for large portions
the better side. After the lanky cheating tw*t that is
Adebayor gave Arsenal the lead with his hand, United
replied with a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo & a
excellent free kick from Owen Hargreaves taking all three
points and giving United the opportunity (results pending)
to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to take the title.
Was it not for a brilliant tactical change by SAF, one of
MOTM EVDS best ever displays in United's keeper jersey &
maybe poor finishing by the cheating Arsenal forward, the
result could have been different, but on reflection of
Arsenals season they have a young squad & will be back
next season no doubt, but lack what United have had
for years & that is the knack of winning games when not
playing to full potential & grinding out a narrow victory
from a poor performance, a skill which was demonstrated by
United in this game although United were indeed 2nd best
over 90 minutes.
Arsenal
dominated the 1st period with some quite excellent
football as standout players like Hleb & Fabregas gave
United the run around in midfield, Messers Park, Scholes,
Carrick, Ronaldo & co were restricted to chasing Gooner
shadows as Wenger's young team pinged the ball around with
quality precision from the get go. Fabregas shot
inches wide before a Eboue cross was met by Adebayor who
saw his shot blocked by Rio Ferdinand. Brazilian
Gilberto Silva continued the Arsenal pressure after a
volley was stopped by Alex Song and Adebayor soon got into
the swing of the game as he was to miss two decent
chances.
With United playing catch up for the entire half & Wayne
Rooney being the only player who indeed looked like a
threat for the home side, Evra & Ronaldo combined for the
White Pele who unfortunately saw his shot saved by Jens
Lehmann. Arsenal then failed to convert one of the best
chances of the half as the impressive Hleb beat Pique at
the same time setting up the
Togolese Basketball player
but the cheat then struck a poor lame effort EVDS's way.
With the scores level on the half and Mr Wenger and many
Gooners fans wondering why the hell they weren't ahead, it
took only 3 minutes to take the lead in the second half,
with Arsenal attacking with verve again Robin van Persie
crossed from the left and Adebayor with his left arm
converted the cross at the same time scoring his second
consecutive goal in a League game at Old Trafford.
The Defending Champions then showed steel and nerve,
qualities Arsenal will only obtain with experience as only
five minutes later a Hargreaves ball was cretinously
handballed in the box by William Gallas giving United a
penalty.
Up stepped the unusually quite Ronaldo who dispatched the
penalty only to have it taken again due to players
venturing into the penalty box, Ronaldo then cool as ice
repeated his penalty heroics sending the Stretford End
into sheer bliss.
Q Alex Ferguson
& one of the most ballsy decisions of recent times as the
manager replaced Scholes & Park for Anderson & Tevez, a
Brilliant tactical switch as Tevez & Anderson entered the
game providing United with the qualities to win & keep
possession for United, breaking up the domination Arsenal
had held for so long.
Tevez & his
South American counterpart made immediate impression as
the ball stuck to the immensely hard working forward and
with Braziliant Anderson providing much needed bite &
speed in the midfield, United looked a better team as a
long distance shot from the Argie beat Lehmann in goal
only to miss by inches.
Arsenal still
not out of the game struck a post after the dazzling EVDS
saved Gael Clichy's cross onto the post, but United soon
took the lead with a plum of a free kick before some
hilarious comedy for the Stretford End from Birthday Boy
Anderson.
Anderson
mimicked every move Jens Lehmann made as he did his utmost
to "put off" the German madman as he tried to assemblt his
wall, Lehmann pointed left, Anderson pointed left,
Lehmann moved to the left, Anderson moved to the left,
Lehmann raised both hands, Anderson raised both hands.
Quite excellent comedy.
meanwhile as Evra was fouled at a perfect free kick
distance, Owen Hargreaves lined up to take the free kick
dinking the ball over the wall, beating Lehmann and giving
United the 2-1 lead so vital in the Premiership race.
Proving just
why the Reds have only conceded 6 goals at home this
season EVDS capped off a fine performance saving from
Arsenal substitute Nicklas Bendtner before claming all
three points.
What do you
think??
submit
your comments & opinions below.
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