the blog of manchester united

In a game arguable the best game in Barclays Premier League this season, United came back from a goal behind to practically end Arsenal’s pursue of the Premiership title with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.  Ronaldo and Hargreaves was on the marks while Adebayor scored early in the second half.  It also marked a miserable week for Arsenal as they’ve lost the Champion’s League to Liverpool a few days earlier in the space of 10 minutes.

The game was fast with little margin of error the first 45 minutes. Arsenal could’ve taken a lead on numerous occasion while United stood firm with a couple of good chances for Rooney which were saved brilliantly by recalled Jens Lehmann on goal.  The half ended 0-0 however the Gunners started the second half brightly with a goal from Adebayor.  The goal though is NOT VALID as the TV replay clearly showed he scored with his hand albeit his tall body covering it up from both the referee and the lineman.  United players though interestingly did not make any protest and Arsenal soon controlled the tempo again and could’ve led 2-0 when Rio Ferdinand almost scored an own goal had it not for van der Sar to brilliantly saved it.   The problem for United was that Scholes and Ji-Sung Park did not speed up to Arsenal’s midfield although Carrick and Hargreaves were also in the line anchoring it.  Just when Fergie was about to introduce Anderson and Tevez, Gallas hand-balled in the box and United got a chance to level it.  Ronaldo re-taken penalty was BRILLIANT, smashed it to the corner of the goal, and no goalie would’ve saved it.

With Anderson and Tevez coming in, United were more in control although United almost got behind again through yet again another attempt at own goal, this time from Wes Brown.  van der Sar had one of his best day by saving it.  But these anxious moments were all but forgotten 18 minutes from time when Hargreaves curled in a SUPERB freekick just outside the penalty box.  The whole Arsenal squad were preparing for a thunderbolt from Ronaldo, only for Hargreaves to gloriously put the ball into an empty net with Lehmann standing still.  AWESOME, and it’s 2-1 for UNITED!!  Bendtner late introduction produced a couple more great saves from van der Sar and when the referee finally blew the whistle after 4 minutes added time, Old Trafford erupted into ecstasy and United faithful know that we’ve got one hands on the crown, and it’s really ours to lose.  FIGHT ON UNITED!!!

MAN OF THE MATCH:  Edwin van der Sar

It could’ve been Hargreaves, but I’ll give the match ball to van der Sar.  Had it not for his heroics, United could’ve been down 0-2 and that would pretty much give a totally different  dynamics to the game.   No doubt his experience tells he still owns United’s number 1 jersey.