United smothers Arsenal to go top
Source: Agencies |
November 4, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
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ROBIN van Persie was on target against his old club as Manchester United brushed Arsenal aside for a 2-1 victory that sent it to the top of the English Premier League yesterday.
The prolific Dutchman, who joined United from Arsenal in August having scored 37 league goals for the Gunners last season, needed less than three minutes to put the host ahead after a mistake by Thomas Vermaelen and Patrice Evra wrapped up a comfortable win with a 67th-minute header.
Santi Cazorla netted in injury time for an otherwise disappointing Arsenal, which was reduced to 10 men after the break when recently returned midfielder Jack Wilshere was sent off for a second yellow card.
Wayne Rooney also missed a penalty for United on the stroke of halftime.
United has 24 points from 10 games and will remain on top if Chelsea (22 points) fails to win at Swansea City later.
Champion Manchester City, in third place on 21 points, was away to West Ham United.
Arsenal lost the corresponding fixture 2-8 last season and while it never looked in danger of such a thrashing again, the final scoreline rather flattered Arsene Wenger's side.
Without van Persie's goals it has looked toothless in the league this season and Wenger's side is already falling well off the pace, having picked up 15 points from 10 games.
Almost inevitably it was Van Persie who was its tormentor.
He rarely needs any help in finding the back of the net but former teammate Vermaelen provided it in the third when he made a hash of trying to clear a cross from Rafael and the ball fell to van Persie who struck a first-time shot past Vito Mannone.
"A special day, in the end it was quite a game," van Persie, who did not celebrate his goal, told Sky Sports. "It speaks for itself (why he did not celebrate). I played eight years there and had a fantastic time. I wanted to respect the fans, the manager and the whole club."
Arsenal struggled to make any real impact and only Wilshere, making his second start since returning from a long injury layoff, showed any real urgency in the opening period.
Van Persie had another effort saved by Mannone as United looked for a second and moments before the break the host was awarded a penalty when Ashley Young's cross was blocked by the arm of Cazorla and referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot.
Arsenal enjoyed a huge let-off though as Rooney's penalty slithered just wide of Mannone's right hand post.
The prolific Dutchman, who joined United from Arsenal in August having scored 37 league goals for the Gunners last season, needed less than three minutes to put the host ahead after a mistake by Thomas Vermaelen and Patrice Evra wrapped up a comfortable win with a 67th-minute header.
Santi Cazorla netted in injury time for an otherwise disappointing Arsenal, which was reduced to 10 men after the break when recently returned midfielder Jack Wilshere was sent off for a second yellow card.
Wayne Rooney also missed a penalty for United on the stroke of halftime.
United has 24 points from 10 games and will remain on top if Chelsea (22 points) fails to win at Swansea City later.
Champion Manchester City, in third place on 21 points, was away to West Ham United.
Arsenal lost the corresponding fixture 2-8 last season and while it never looked in danger of such a thrashing again, the final scoreline rather flattered Arsene Wenger's side.
Without van Persie's goals it has looked toothless in the league this season and Wenger's side is already falling well off the pace, having picked up 15 points from 10 games.
Almost inevitably it was Van Persie who was its tormentor.
He rarely needs any help in finding the back of the net but former teammate Vermaelen provided it in the third when he made a hash of trying to clear a cross from Rafael and the ball fell to van Persie who struck a first-time shot past Vito Mannone.
"A special day, in the end it was quite a game," van Persie, who did not celebrate his goal, told Sky Sports. "It speaks for itself (why he did not celebrate). I played eight years there and had a fantastic time. I wanted to respect the fans, the manager and the whole club."
Arsenal struggled to make any real impact and only Wilshere, making his second start since returning from a long injury layoff, showed any real urgency in the opening period.
Van Persie had another effort saved by Mannone as United looked for a second and moments before the break the host was awarded a penalty when Ashley Young's cross was blocked by the arm of Cazorla and referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot.
Arsenal enjoyed a huge let-off though as Rooney's penalty slithered just wide of Mannone's right hand post.
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