Fergie hails Reds after Arsenal romp
Source: Agencies |
February 2, 2010, Tuesday
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ALEX Ferguson praised his Manchester United team for a "great performance" after it turned on the style to secure a convincing 3-1 victory at Arsenal on Sunday.
An own goal by Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia after some brilliant work by Nani, a brilliant Wayne Rooney counter-attacking strike and a first of the season for Park Ji-sung had United cruising, with Thomas Vermaelen's volley just a late consolation for the hosts.
"It was a great performance by us really. I'm pleased and it's this time of year you need to kick on," Ferguson told Sky Sports. "I think Wednesday's result and performance (in the League Cup semifinal victory over Manchester City) has galvanized us.
"You saw today the players were ready for the game. They were sharp, good in their passing well and made a lot of chances too."
United was particularly dangerous on the break.
"Counterattack has always been a part of our game, particularly away from home," Ferguson said. "Arsenal play a lot of good football and get to the edge of your box regularly and if you can win the ball and counter-attack you get good chances against them."
Rooney's goal, which he finished following a 60-meter run to collect a return pass from the impressive Nani, was his 100th in the league.
"Rooney was the key player in the sense they just couldn't handle him," Ferguson said. "Everything was played towards him, in front of him or behind them and he was on to it every time."
The victory left United a point behind Chelsea, though that could stretch to four if the Londoners win their game in hand against Hull City in midweek.
"The run-in is always a difficult period, we've handled it over the years and I'm trusting them to handle it again," Ferguson said.
"We need Chelsea to drop points obviously. Arsenal are not out of it, I hope they go to Stamford Bridge next Sunday and batter them."
When Chelsea crushed Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates two months ago it left Arsene Wenger's side 11 points off the pace. It hauled itself up impressively to top the league briefly last week but defeat at Stamford Bridge would leave it back where it started, 11 points behind.
"We were poor defensively and offensively. We had no cohesion in the team we were punished for giving them too much room and made massive individual errors," Wenger said. "We know we can do much better ... we are conscious we didn't deliver the game that was expected of us. (Next week) is a good opportunity to show that we are united and strong."
In Sunday's other game, Emmanuel Adebayor marked his return from Togo's traumatic time at the African Nations Cup with the opening goal in Manchester City's 2-0 win over bottom club Portsmouth at Eastlands.
Vincent Kompany headed the second as City won without breaking sweat to close on Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in the battle for fourth place.
An own goal by Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia after some brilliant work by Nani, a brilliant Wayne Rooney counter-attacking strike and a first of the season for Park Ji-sung had United cruising, with Thomas Vermaelen's volley just a late consolation for the hosts.
"It was a great performance by us really. I'm pleased and it's this time of year you need to kick on," Ferguson told Sky Sports. "I think Wednesday's result and performance (in the League Cup semifinal victory over Manchester City) has galvanized us.
"You saw today the players were ready for the game. They were sharp, good in their passing well and made a lot of chances too."
United was particularly dangerous on the break.
"Counterattack has always been a part of our game, particularly away from home," Ferguson said. "Arsenal play a lot of good football and get to the edge of your box regularly and if you can win the ball and counter-attack you get good chances against them."
Rooney's goal, which he finished following a 60-meter run to collect a return pass from the impressive Nani, was his 100th in the league.
"Rooney was the key player in the sense they just couldn't handle him," Ferguson said. "Everything was played towards him, in front of him or behind them and he was on to it every time."
The victory left United a point behind Chelsea, though that could stretch to four if the Londoners win their game in hand against Hull City in midweek.
"The run-in is always a difficult period, we've handled it over the years and I'm trusting them to handle it again," Ferguson said.
"We need Chelsea to drop points obviously. Arsenal are not out of it, I hope they go to Stamford Bridge next Sunday and batter them."
When Chelsea crushed Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates two months ago it left Arsene Wenger's side 11 points off the pace. It hauled itself up impressively to top the league briefly last week but defeat at Stamford Bridge would leave it back where it started, 11 points behind.
"We were poor defensively and offensively. We had no cohesion in the team we were punished for giving them too much room and made massive individual errors," Wenger said. "We know we can do much better ... we are conscious we didn't deliver the game that was expected of us. (Next week) is a good opportunity to show that we are united and strong."
In Sunday's other game, Emmanuel Adebayor marked his return from Togo's traumatic time at the African Nations Cup with the opening goal in Manchester City's 2-0 win over bottom club Portsmouth at Eastlands.
Vincent Kompany headed the second as City won without breaking sweat to close on Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in the battle for fourth place.
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