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Diaby strikes as Arsenal beats Liverpool 1-0
Source: Agencies |
February 11, 2010, Thursday
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ABOU Diaby headed Arsenal to a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Wednesday to maintain Arsene Wenger's slim Premier League title hopes.
Diaby scored the 72nd minute winner from a cross by Tomas Rosicky to keep his side in control of third place in the standings. Ryan Babel almost equalized near the end but his shot was pushed onto the bar by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and Liverpool left the field complaining to referee Howard Webb that a late free kick by Steven Gerrard was handled by Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Arsenal went into the game on a poor run of just one point from three games - a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa and defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea. Now his team has moved within six points of leader Chelsea, which lost 2-1 at Everton, and is five behind Manchester United, which drew 1-1 at Aston Villa.
"It was a massive result for us because nobody realizes what it is like to play Man United and Chelsea and Liverpool on the trot," Wenger said. "Physically and mentally it is very demanding, especially the two massive disappointments. We had big shocks in our last two games and it was important that we came back with a win.
"I still believe in our chances. Chelsea lost and Manchester United dropped points so it is open for everybody. Everybody can drop points everywhere. I don't see any mathematical reason why we shouldn't believe."
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was convinced his team should have had a penalty for the Fabregas handball even though it may have occured just outside the area.
"It was very clear. It was unbelievable to see the replay and wonder why the referee did not give it," Benitez said. "But I think we also have to analyze the game not just one mistake. In the second half we were pushing and I think we could have got at least a point."
With too many misplaced passes and wrong decisions, neither side gave the 60,046 fans many thrills in a tepid first half.
Nicklas Bendtner shot high and wide from Andrei Arshavin's through ball and Liverpool's Maxi Rodriguez saw his 20-meter drive flick off the arm of Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen and over the bar.
The game livened up early in the second half and William Gallas rescued Arsenal with an expertly timed tackle on David Ngog with the young Frenchman about to shoot from 12 meters. Then Daniel Agger cleared for Liverpool from Bentdner after goalkeeper Pepe Reina had been lured off his line.
The game was evenly poised when Rosicky, a first half replacement for Samir Nasri, curled a cross from the right into the danger area and Diaby was left unmarked to head powerfully home from five meters out.
Liverpool pressed hard for an equalizer and it almost came in the 87th minute from substitute Babel. Then Gerrard's injury time free kick was charged down by the wall of Arsenal defenders and the Liverpool players were convinced one of them had handled the ball.
Diaby scored the 72nd minute winner from a cross by Tomas Rosicky to keep his side in control of third place in the standings. Ryan Babel almost equalized near the end but his shot was pushed onto the bar by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and Liverpool left the field complaining to referee Howard Webb that a late free kick by Steven Gerrard was handled by Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Arsenal went into the game on a poor run of just one point from three games - a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa and defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea. Now his team has moved within six points of leader Chelsea, which lost 2-1 at Everton, and is five behind Manchester United, which drew 1-1 at Aston Villa.
"It was a massive result for us because nobody realizes what it is like to play Man United and Chelsea and Liverpool on the trot," Wenger said. "Physically and mentally it is very demanding, especially the two massive disappointments. We had big shocks in our last two games and it was important that we came back with a win.
"I still believe in our chances. Chelsea lost and Manchester United dropped points so it is open for everybody. Everybody can drop points everywhere. I don't see any mathematical reason why we shouldn't believe."
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was convinced his team should have had a penalty for the Fabregas handball even though it may have occured just outside the area.
"It was very clear. It was unbelievable to see the replay and wonder why the referee did not give it," Benitez said. "But I think we also have to analyze the game not just one mistake. In the second half we were pushing and I think we could have got at least a point."
With too many misplaced passes and wrong decisions, neither side gave the 60,046 fans many thrills in a tepid first half.
Nicklas Bendtner shot high and wide from Andrei Arshavin's through ball and Liverpool's Maxi Rodriguez saw his 20-meter drive flick off the arm of Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen and over the bar.
The game livened up early in the second half and William Gallas rescued Arsenal with an expertly timed tackle on David Ngog with the young Frenchman about to shoot from 12 meters. Then Daniel Agger cleared for Liverpool from Bentdner after goalkeeper Pepe Reina had been lured off his line.
The game was evenly poised when Rosicky, a first half replacement for Samir Nasri, curled a cross from the right into the danger area and Diaby was left unmarked to head powerfully home from five meters out.
Liverpool pressed hard for an equalizer and it almost came in the 87th minute from substitute Babel. Then Gerrard's injury time free kick was charged down by the wall of Arsenal defenders and the Liverpool players were convinced one of them had handled the ball.
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