Manchester United 2 - 0 Arsenal
Sunday 9th April 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester
Not for the first time Arsenal stood in the way of United's premiership winning aspirations, and not for the first time, United smashed their sorry team into tomorrow.
Van Nistelrooy was back in the side to provide some much-needed needle to the match, whilst Cristiano's darting runs and one-touch passing had Arsenal fearing the very worst from kick-off. Thierry Henry was rested, which would suggest to you that Wenger was happy to lose here in what has been a bad season forthem. But for the Champions League run, the Frenchman would surely be out of a job this Summer!
Park played the other wing, with the unorthodox midfield partnership ofGiggs and O'Shea still paying dividends in the centre. Vidic was in the side alongside Rio, and proved himself both a more aggressive player and a better defender!
Arsenal's few chances of the match came within the first 10 minutes, and after that there was silence from the Gunners.
The match should have seen Toure sent off for deliberate handball, and it is perhaps just as well that United went on to win, or Poll would have had the distinct look of a rabbit caught in Sir Alex's headlights. Toure lunged for the ball after Rooney had rounded Lehmann and was trying to put the ball into an empty net. His hand pushed the ball onto the post, but luckily for Arsenal it wasn't spotted, despite the referee's good vantage point.
United didn't seem worried, and simply vowed to get in those situations again, which they did to brilliant effect.
First a crunching tackle from hero Vidic set the ball moving down the left with Silvestre. His inch-perfect cross was met by control and a fine finish from Rooney. He loves scoring in big games.
With ten minutes to go, Saha was brought on for his pace, and United were finding gaps in the supposedly formidable Arsenal back-line every two minutes. Ronaldo played Rooney in down the left, and the young Englishman ran forwards, shrugged off Senderos, and pass the ballacross to Park, who was coming in at the backpost to score one of the easiest goals of his career from two yards out!
The lead will be cut to four points if United beat Sunderland on Friday. There is hope.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Giggs, Park (Evra 84), Rooney, van Nistelrooy (Saha 62).
