Chelsea dominated play and created more chances, taking the lead in the first half but two goals from Arsenal’s Dutch striker Robin van Persie within three minutes in the second half swung the game in favor of the visitors 2–1.
An own goal by Arsenal defender Johan Djourou enabled Chelsea to take the lead at the half hour mark. The move was started off by a wayward throw by Manuel Almunia gifting the ball to Chelsea full back Jose Bosingwa.
Chelsea fans took the opportunity to taunt former Gunners captain, William Gallas, who has recently been in the limelight as he was stripped of his captaincy for criticizing his own players.
The replays of Van Persie’s first goal showed that he was in an offside position. The finish was top draw though, turning at 90 degrees and blasting straight past Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.
Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said to the BBC, “I want only after tomorrow that he [referee Mike Dean] looks at the TV and the referee and the linesman see they are wrong and they say sorry.”
“It is difficult for my team to play after this because they lost their concentration. The offside killed my team.”
Van Persie’s second was a classic striker’s goal. He received the pass—while being onside this time—made a tight turn in the box and fired a low left-footer straight across Cech and in at the far post.
Arsene Wenger told the BBC, “It was a fantastic win. We’ve had a bad period in the league and we were 1–0 down and still won”.
Arsenal is now eight points behind Liverpool at the top of the table. Chelsea drops into second place, one point back of Liverpool.
United kept up the pressure and a great chance came when a loose ball sat up in front of defender Patrice Evra but he blasted over the bar.
Park Ji Sung jostled his way into the City defence, after coming on in the second half, and then laid the ball off to Michael Carrick whose hard shot forced the save from City keeper Joe Hart. But Hart could not hold the ball and Rooney was there to pick up the scraps and notch up his 100th goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been booked for a trip on Shaun Wright-Phillips in the first half, then receive a red card when he jumped for a corner and slapped the ball away with his hands.
He then claimed that he heard a second whistle blow after the referee’s for the corner to stop play but this was not the case.
Sir Alex Ferguson said to the BBC, “He thought he had heard a whistle, he got a little push as well and it is not as if he punched the ball. The crowd played a part and he got sent off.”
Mark Hughes, the City manager told the BBC, “I don’t think the referee had any choice. I thought he was going to catch it at one point!”
Nevertheless, Ronaldo won the “Ballon d’Or” award as Europe’s top soccer player and Manchester United got the job done against their local rivals. Last year, the Red Devils lost twice to Manchester City.
It was another frustrating game for Robbie Keane who was subbed half way through the second half. Yossi Benayoun had the best chance for the Reds but his shot produced a fine save from West Ham United keeper Robert Green.
Liverpool really could have used the services of top striker Fernando Torres.
The draw takes Liverpool one point clear at the top of the table but really has to be thought of as a missed opportunity to open a three-point lead at the top of the table.
An own goal by Arsenal defender Johan Djourou enabled Chelsea to take the lead at the half hour mark. The move was started off by a wayward throw by Manuel Almunia gifting the ball to Chelsea full back Jose Bosingwa.
Chelsea fans took the opportunity to taunt former Gunners captain, William Gallas, who has recently been in the limelight as he was stripped of his captaincy for criticizing his own players.
The replays of Van Persie’s first goal showed that he was in an offside position. The finish was top draw though, turning at 90 degrees and blasting straight past Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.
Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said to the BBC, “I want only after tomorrow that he [referee Mike Dean] looks at the TV and the referee and the linesman see they are wrong and they say sorry.”
“It is difficult for my team to play after this because they lost their concentration. The offside killed my team.”
Van Persie’s second was a classic striker’s goal. He received the pass—while being onside this time—made a tight turn in the box and fired a low left-footer straight across Cech and in at the far post.
Arsene Wenger told the BBC, “It was a fantastic win. We’ve had a bad period in the league and we were 1–0 down and still won”.
Arsenal is now eight points behind Liverpool at the top of the table. Chelsea drops into second place, one point back of Liverpool.
Manchester City 0, Manchester United 1
The 150th league derby of Manchester saw the Red Devils visit the City ground.
The first half was dominated by Manchester United but there were driving runs from City with Stephen Ireland often being part of action.United kept up the pressure and a great chance came when a loose ball sat up in front of defender Patrice Evra but he blasted over the bar.
Park Ji Sung jostled his way into the City defence, after coming on in the second half, and then laid the ball off to Michael Carrick whose hard shot forced the save from City keeper Joe Hart. But Hart could not hold the ball and Rooney was there to pick up the scraps and notch up his 100th goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been booked for a trip on Shaun Wright-Phillips in the first half, then receive a red card when he jumped for a corner and slapped the ball away with his hands.
He then claimed that he heard a second whistle blow after the referee’s for the corner to stop play but this was not the case.
Sir Alex Ferguson said to the BBC, “He thought he had heard a whistle, he got a little push as well and it is not as if he punched the ball. The crowd played a part and he got sent off.”
Mark Hughes, the City manager told the BBC, “I don’t think the referee had any choice. I thought he was going to catch it at one point!”
Nevertheless, Ronaldo won the “Ballon d’Or” award as Europe’s top soccer player and Manchester United got the job done against their local rivals. Last year, the Red Devils lost twice to Manchester City.
Liverpool 0, West Ham 0
In England’s version of Monday Night Football, London’s West Ham United traveled up to Anfield to face Liverpool.
A fine defensive display by the Londoners enabled them to get a point out of the game. Liverpool piled on the pressure but didn’t make as many chances as they should have in the final third of the field.It was another frustrating game for Robbie Keane who was subbed half way through the second half. Yossi Benayoun had the best chance for the Reds but his shot produced a fine save from West Ham United keeper Robert Green.
Liverpool really could have used the services of top striker Fernando Torres.
The draw takes Liverpool one point clear at the top of the table but really has to be thought of as a missed opportunity to open a three-point lead at the top of the table.
