Samir Nasri scored the first goal with a shot through a crowded United area which deflected off the legs of Gary Neville leaving Van der Sar stranded. He then struck his and Arsenal’s second two minutes into the second half after a good passing move which he finished with a glorious shot into the bottom corner. United substitute Rafael Da Silva struck a brilliant volley late on to give the red devils hope but Arsenal held on take the three points.

In the first minute a back pass from former United defender Mikael Silvestre was picked up by Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia giving United an early freekick. Anderson’s strike was blocked and Michael Carrick blasted the follow up wide of the post. Dimitar Berbatov had the ball in the Arsenal net after 9 minutes when Almunia parried a low Wayne Rooney strike but it was ruled out for offside by referee Howard Webb. Two minutes later Arsenal had their first chance when Gael Clichy’s cross found an unmarked Nicklas Bendtner in the United area but he could only head over Edwin Van der Sar’s goal.  Soon after another cross, this time from Frenchman Nasri was missed at the back post. Arsenal were beginning to dominate the early stages. Abou Diaby had a shot blocked in the United area moments later.

United were always dangerous on the break. Wayne Rooney should have given United the lead but blasted over from an excellent pass from Cristiano Ronaldo after 17 minutes in a move which saw some great passing form Anderson and Berbatov. United were made to pay as Arsenal took the lead after 22 minutes from Nasri. He blasted through the United defence with the ball deflecting off the legs of Neville leaving Van der Sar rooted to the spot as the ball sailed into the back of the net.

In an exciting end to end game Cesc Fabregas tried his luck form outside the area after a swift Arsenal counter attack, but his shot was deflected wide. United were up the other end five minutes later with Ji Sung Park denied this time from a good Almunia save down to his right. As half time approached United were continuing to pressure the Gunners defence but Arsenal held on to go in 1-0 up at the break.
Two minutes after the break Nasri struck again after a brilliant pass from Fabregas found him unmarked after a wonderful passing move from Arsenal. He dragged the shot across Van der Sar and into the far corner to put Arsenal 2-0 up. Ronaldo missed a great opportunity to immediately pull United back into the game, but he volleyed wide from close range a minute later. United’s front line were looking increasingly frustrated and limited to shots from outside the Arsenal box.

Rooney did manage to penetrate the Arsenal defence but his header was easily saved down low form Almunia on the hour. United needed a change to try to quash the relentless Arsenal pressure. Rafael replaced veteran Neville at right back after a rather unimpressive performance form the United captain. But United’s frustration continued when Carrick was harshly booked when he challenged Almunia to a loose ball. The Spaniard needed treatment for the collision. Ryan Giggs was introduced at the expense of Anderson a few minutes later.

As United continued to press for a way back into the game they were leaving themselves open to the counter attack. Nasri was denied a penalty on 73rd minute when he was pulled down by Nemanja Vidic only for Webb to wave away the appeals. Rooney then came off for Carlos Tevez with the last throw of the dice for Ferguson as Almunia was replaced by Likasz Fabianski following his earlier collision. The breathless pace continued as Bendtner had a shot saved just before Emanuel Adebayor came on for Arsenal.

Rafeal scored late on with a fantastic volley from the edge of the area to test the Arsenal nerves as the assistant signalled 6 additional minutes. But it was too little too late for United as Arsenal held on to take the points in a thrilling encounter. This was far and away the best game of the season so far and a wonderful advertisement for the Premier League. It seems Arsene Wenger has answered the critics as well as putting the Gunners back into the title race.

Ronaldo scored his and United’s first after 14 minutes when he converted an inch perfect cross from fellow Portuguese international Luis Nani. He then added a second from 2 yards after a mesmerizing piece of skill by Berbatov on the goal line allowing him to cross for Ronaldo to slide into an empty net.

United were dominant from the first whistle with Berbatov having the first opening of the game in the second minute, but he could only blast over from a Nani pull-back. Three minutes later Nani sent a powerful shot flashing just wide of Robert Green’s far post.

United were continuing to cause problems down the left hand side and it wasn’t long before they were rewarded. Ronaldo found the net after 14 minutes when he was picked out by a pin-point cross from Nani. The world player of the year even managed a smile to the delight the United fans.

United looked hungry and continued to press down the left hand side. Two minutes later Nani dummied past Behrami but again his shot went inches wide of the far post. On the half hour mark Berbatov produced an amazing piece of skill with an exquisite flick and  cross for Ronaldo to slide in from 2 yards.

West Ham brought on Luis Boa Morte for Behrami just before half time. A minute later Tevez got in between the West Ham defence only to header straight at Green. West Ham made their second change before the start of the second half when Etherington was replaced by Welsh teenager Jack Collison.

United’s dominance continued into the second half with Ronaldo shooting straight at Green from distance seven minutes after the restart. He then producing a cheeky flick past a West Ham defender to cross for Tevez. Tevez matched Ronaldo’s skill with a fantastic turn in the box only for his shot to be blocked and go out for a corner.

West Ham managed a rare attempt on goal on the hour mark when Bellamy sent a free kick over Kuszczak’s crossbar from outside the area. They then had a penalty claim waved away two minutes later as Collison was brought down in the area. He was booked for fouling Patrice Evra to add to the annoyance of the travelling fans.

After 67 minutes West Ham replaced Lee Bowyer with teenager Freddie Sears as United made a double change. Darren Fletcher came off for Michael Carrick whilst Nani was replaced by Wayne Rooney who didn’t waste any time getting into the game. His delicate chip was tipped over by Green two minutes later.

West Ham then fashioned their best chance of the game when Boa Morte had a shot saved by Kuszczak in the United area. Rooney then tried his luck from outside the area only to be denied once more by Green with 15 minutes to go. United then made their last change with veteran Gary Neville replacing youngster Rafael for the final ten minutes.

Ronaldo was denied his hat-trick in the last two minutes when Evra cut a cross back but he could only shoot straight at Green. In the end it was a comfortable win for United as they moved up to sixth in the table.

Was Ronaldo’s smile genuine? Will he be a United player next season? Send us your comments.

Wayne Rooney made it three goals in four days for club and country when he got the first goal with a clinical finish early in the second half. He then turned provider when his pass set up Cristiano Ronaldo to put United two up. Dimitar Berbatov  also got his first Premier League goal for United when he poked United into a 3-0 lead two minutes later. Nani then added a fourth in stoppage time to complete the win.

It never Waynes but it pours

With Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all winning earlier in the afternoon the pressure was on United to stay in touch at the top of the table.

United had the bulk of the early possession in front of the home fans without really threatening the West Brom defence. The best of the early chances fell to Ronaldo but he could not apply the finish to a flowing United attack after four minutes. His tame shot was easily saved by West Brom keeper Scott Carson.

Wayne Rooney was looking lively and managed to find the back of the net after 23 minutes, only to have his goal ruled out by referee Mark Halsey for a foul on a West Brom defender. Five minutes later Rooney met a Ryan Giggs corner with a powerful header which was saved by Carson.

United continued to put pressure on the stubborn West Brom defence. They had a hand-ball appeal waved away by Halsey five minutes before the break after the ball appeared to strike the arm of Baggies defender Paul Robinson. Despite the huge amount of possession United were unable to make the breakthrough and West Brom’s resilience was rewarded with a 0-0 half time scoreline.

United’s dominance continued into the second half.  Rooney was at the centre of the action once again. His thunderous drive from the edge of the area was brilliantly saved by Carson after 50 minutes. Four minutes later it was Berbatov’s turn to be denied by Carson.

The United fans could sense a goal and they didn’t have to wait long as Rooney finally made the breakthrough three minutes later. He ran through with composure to put United ahead with a neat finish into the bottom corner of Carson’s goal.

Rooney then turned supplier as his pass found Ronaldo unmarked.  Ronaldo made it look easy as he guided the ball past Carson and into the centre of the goal. Two minutes later Barbatov scored his first Premier League goal for United when he poked in from six yards after the West Brom defence failed to deal with a cross. With the result no longer in doubt substitute Nani added a fourth in stoppage time after a quick United counter attack to round off a fantastic second half display from United. They now move up to fourth in the table.

Based on this performance can United challenge Chelsea and Liverpool for the title? What do you think? Please use the comments box to send us your thoughts.

Paul Ince was given a lesson in management by his old mentor Sir Alex Ferguson.

Wes Brown headed United in front from a Wayne Rooney cross at the back post, with Blackburn keeper Jason Brown claiming he was pushed by Nemanja Vidic.

Rooney was on the scoresheet himself in the second half after good work form Cristiano Ronaldo

Blackburn suffered a further blow when striker Roque Santa Cruz was taken off injured a few minutes into the second half.

On a wind-swept and wet pitch the first chance fell to Nemanja Vidic after seven minutes.

He failed to make clean contact from a corner when in space in the area.

Blackburn had their first opening when Matt Derbyshire got between the United defence.

His shot was saved by Edwin Van der Sar.

The heavy rain was making an impact on the game with the ball zipping off the surface.

United missed a great opportunity to open the scoring after 20 minutes.

Darren Fletcher shot just wide after a good through ball from Dimitar Berbatov.

Five minutes later Brett Emerton tried his luck on the quick surface but his 25 yard shot skidded past Van der Sar’s right hand post.

United were beginning to create the better chances and were gaining a foothold on the game with some good passing moves.

Blackburn keeper Brown was having a topsy-turvy game.

On the half hour mark he made a wonderful finger-tip save from a powerful Ryan Giggs strick.

A minute later Brown was at fault as United made the breakthrough.

Wes Brown headed in a Rooney cross at the back post when the keeper should really have claimed the ball.

The Blackburn keeper then made another good save after Wayne Rooney burst into the Blackburn penalty area.

United deservedly led at half time despite the terrible weather conditions.

Blackburn started the second half with a good chance to level the match.

Roque Santa-Cruz was denied by a good Van der Sar save.

Two minutes later he was substituted for Jason Roberts because of an injury.

As the rain continued, so too did United’s dominance of possession.

Blackburn were looking low on ideas.

Ince made his second change when Keith Treacy came on for Morten Gamst Pederson just before the hour mark.

It seemed to have little effect as Rooney scored a wonderful goal after 64 minutes after a burst of pace from Ronaldo.

His cut-back found Rooney free in the box as he struck the ball into the top left-hand corner.

Blackburn brought on Keith Andrews for Tugay.

United made some changes of their own when Carlos Tevez was brought on for Giggs a minute later and Patrice Evra made way for John O’ Shea soon after.

Rooney almost scored United’s third, but he lobbed just over the bar with 20 minutes left.

Brown made a good save at the feet of Berbatov a minute later.

United made their final change with Park Ji Sung replacing the impressive Rooney for the last twelve minutes.

Some Blackburn fans had seen enough as they donned their rain coats and headed for the exit with ten minutes left.

It was a game they will quickly try to forget.

Tevez hit the post four minutes from time as United ran out comfortable winners and looking more like the European and domestic champions of last season.

The result left Liverpool top of the league after their best ever start to a Premier League season.

They had to wait an hour to take the lead before Torres volleyed through Tim Howard’s legs after a good cross from Robbie Keane.

Minutes later he had his second when he smashed a loose ball past Howard and into the centre of the Everton net to make it 0-2.

Everton had striker Tim Cahill sent off ten minutes from time for a poor tackle on Xabi Alonso.

He became the 17^th player to be sent off in a Liverpool derby since the start of the Premier League in 1992.

Clear cut chances were few and far between in the first half with both teams engaged in a fierce battle for possession.

Everton had an early penalty shout turned down by referee Mike Riley when Martin Skrtel and Yakubu went shoulder to shoulder in the Liverpool box

The first booking came in the 9^th minute when Marouane Fellaini was guilty of a poorly timed tackle.

Liverpool began to gain the advantage with some fantastic one-touch passing.

But Everton looked dangerous on the counter attack.

Jamie Carragher blocked a shot on the line from Fellaini after Reina dropped the ball.

Although the goal would not have counted as Mike Riley had already blown for a foul.

Alonso was booked six minutes before half time for a foul on Mikel Arteta.

A few minutes later Yakubu had the first real shot on goal.

He managed to get away from Skrtel but his shot was wide of the far post.

Just before the half time whistle Cahill was upended in the box but again Riley waved away the penalty shouts from Everton.

Liverpool had the better of the first half possession without either side creating any clear chances.

The only surprise was just two yellow cards in a highly physical first half.

Three minutes into the second half Yakubu was booked for diving in the Liverpool area.

Soon after Torres evened up the card count when he was booked for dissent.

Torres finally overcame his frustration on the hour mark with a volley through the legs of Howard in the six-yard box after a good cross from Robbie Keane.

He added his and Liverpool’s second when a loose ball found him unmarked in the Everton area.

He smashed the ball past Howard and into the centre of the goal.

Everton brought on new signing Lois Saha to try to get back in the game.

It seemed to have little effect as Liverpool then had two goals disallowed.

Dirk Kuyt hit the target but the ball had already gone out for a Liverpool corner.

Seconds later Torres thought he had his hat-trick only for his effort to be ruled out for Kuyt’s push on Lescott in the area.

Phil Jagielka then made a fantastic sliding tackle on Torres as he looked to dribble into the Everton area.

Everton were increasingly unable to penetrate the Liverpool defence.

Arbeloa was booked for a kick at Cahill after 76 minutes.

A minute later a rare Everton chance went begging as a fizzing cross form Lescott was missed at the back post by Yakubu and Fellaini.

But any glimmer of hope soon faded when Cahill was sent off ten minutes from time for a late challenge on Alonso.

Howard made a brilliant save from a Steven Gerrard shot with five minutes to go.

Louis Saha went close for Everton when he blasted a shot just wide of Reina’s post.

But in the end Torres’ quality proved to be the difference in a game where the away team were rarely tested.

Soloman Kalou’s late goal protected Chelsea’s 84 match unbeaten record at Stamford bridge with a 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

United will be in trouble with the FA after collecting seven bookings in a passionate and frantic game.

Park Ji Sung Opened the scoring on 18 minutes after a shot from Berbatov was parried by Petr Cech.

The game was played at a scintillating speed as Chelsea pressed for the equaliser.

Their efforts finally paid off when substitute Kalou headed in a freekick after Wayne Rooney fouled Ashley Cole.

The omens didn’t look good for Chelsea even before the kick-off when Deco was injured in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Michael Ballack.

The pace was high from the outset and in the sixth minute Owen Hargreaves found himself in acres of space.

He delivered a good cross to Darren Fletcher who shot just wide of the far post.

Three minutes later Petr Cech lost the ball outside his box as Dimitar Berbatov passed to Rooney who lobbed the ball just wide of the post

It was end to end stuff as a minute later a mistake by Patrice Evra allowed Joe Cole clear through but he shot into the side-netting.

Chelsea’s injury problems continued as Ricardo Carvalho was taken off with a knee injury to be replaced by Alex.

Cech made a fantastic save from a powerful Rio Ferdinand drive on the quarter hour mark after a good pass from Wayne Rooney.

United made the first breakthrough after 18 minutes when Park Ji Sung scored after a parry by Cech.

Tempers where heightened on and off the field when a penalty shout was dismissed by referee Mike Riley after Flourent Malouda was brought down by Edwin Van der Sar in the box.

Van der Sar picked up an injury in the collision and was substituted for Tomasz Kuszczak five minutes later.

Paul Scholes was the first player in the book after 35 minutes when he was yellow carded for a kick at Michael Ballack.

As half-time neared,  a long range shot by Alex was spilled by Kuszczak and was scrambled away by the United defence.

Soon after a quick Chelsea attack ended in Nicolas Anelka hitting a powerful shot just over.

United received another yellow card just before half-time when Ferdinand was booked for dissent.

Phil Scolari brought on Didier Drogba before the second half but he was refused entry to the field for wearing a bracelet that the referee wasn’t happy about.

He eventually came on for Malouda as Chelsea looked to add weight to their attack.

The pace of the first half continued into the second as Chelsea pushed for the equaliser.

Cristiano Ronaldo made his second substitution appearance of the season when he came on for Scholes in the 56^th minute.

Gary Neville was the third United player booked for a foul on Anelka by the corner flag after 57 minutes.

Two minutes later Berbatov became the fourth United name in the book.

Jon Obi Mikel became the only Chelsea player in the book after he fouled Ronaldo on the edge of the area.

Anelka missed a huge chance for the equaliser when he missed the ball from three yard out.

Soloman Kalou came on for Ballack as Chelsea continued to press for a goal with 20 minutes to go.

Alex Ferguson responded sending on John O’ Shea for Park Ji Sung to bolster the United defence in the last 15 minutes.

Chelsea began to leave themselves open to the counter attack as Rooney missed a good chance when he shot wide from Ronaldo’s cross in the 77^th minute.

Rooney became booking number five for United two minutes later for his tackle on Ashley Cole.

Chelsea finally got their goal 10 minutes from time when Kalou headed in a freekick.

He almost scored again two minutes later at the end of a Chelsea counter attack but his shot went sailing over and into the stands.

United received their sixth yellow card when Evra was booked four minutes from time.

Swiftly followed by the seventh for Ronaldo who was booked for dissent in injury time.

Ferdinand collided with Drogba as the final whistle went.

Both teams will be happy with a point after a highly entertaining match.

Premier League Results

Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Fulham

Bolton 1-3 Arsenal

Hull 2-2 Everton

Liverpool 0-0 Stoke

Man City 6-0 Portsmouth

Sunderland 2-0 Middlesbrough

Tottenham 0-0 Wigan

West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Aston Villa

West Ham United 3-1 Newcastle United

Ryan Babel scored a second half winner as Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-1 at Anfield in the Premier League’s early kick-off.

It was Liverpool’s first win against United under Rafa Benitez.

United started the match brightly with good passing football.

Debutant Dimitar Berbatov sliding a cross from the by-line into the path of Tevez, who blasted the ball across the keeper and into the top right-hand corner of the net.

United looked worth their lead as they continued to pin back the Liverpool defence.

Liverpool had the odd chance themselves.

Dirk Kuyt went close with a fizzing shot from the edge of the area three minutes later.

Van der Sar was beaten but the ball sailed wide of the far post.

Kuyt went close again six minutes later when Van der Sar flapped at a cross only to redeem himself by saving on the line after Kuyt shot low through a crowded box.

Goalscorer Tevez was booked for a clumsy challenge on Fabio Aurelio on 21 minutes.

Then disaster struck for the United defence.

Van der Sar was again at fault as he flapped another cross only this time it proved much more costly.

The ball cannoned off the oncoming Wes Brown and trickled across the line to make it 1-1.

That bit of luck seemed to rally the Liverpool fans and their team responded as they began to pressure United for the first time in the match.

At half time the score seemed a fair reflection of the game.

Ryan Giggs came on for injured Michael Carrick at the start of the second half as Liverpool continued to dominate possession.

After 56 minutes Yossi Benayoun got round the back of Nemanja Vidic after a low pass from Robbie Keane but his shot was saved by Van der Sar.

United began to look increasingly unsettled defensively as Liverpool continued to dominate possession.

Paul Scholes was replaced by Owen Hargreaves on the hour mark to try and give United a stronger foothold in the game.

Liverpool responded by bringing on Steven Gerrard to replace Benayoun a minute later.

Giggs had one of United’s scarce chances as his looping shot from outside the area was tipped over by Pepe Reina twenty minutes from time.

Rafa Benitez decided to make a change in attack as Liverpool pushed for the winner.

Ryan Babel coming on for Albert Riera.

It proved to be a master stroke for Benitez as seven minutes later Giggs failed to clear, instead giving away possession under pressure from Javier Mascherano.

Kuyt crossed low into the area and Babel powered a shot past Van der Sar, high into the centre of the goal to make it 2-1.

United looked out of ideas as they sent Vidic upfront.

Things went from bad to worse as he was sent off for a second bookable offence in the final minute.

He will now miss the trip to Chelsea next weekend.

At the final whistle Liverpool were very much deserved winners.

A delighted Benitez said: “The fans deserved the win and so do the players after their fantastic work-rate and effort they have put in.”

Ferguson on the other hand will have more questions to answer before the start of United’s Champions League title defence against Villarreal on Wednesday.

He said: “We can take nothing positive from this.

“We didn’t have one performer on the pitch apart from possibly Rio Ferdinand.

“It was disappointing.”

Premier League Results

Blackburn 0-4 Arsenal
Fulham 2-1 Bolton
Liverpool 2-1 Man Utd
Man City 1-3 Chelsea
Newcastle 1-2 Hull
Portsmouth 2-1 Middlesbrough
West Brom 3-2 West Ham
Wigan 1-1 Sunderland

]]> http://footieblog.co.uk/liverpool-vs-manchester-united-by-christopher-warren/feed 0 http://footieblog.co.uk/42-years-of-hurt http://footieblog.co.uk/42-years-of-hurt#comments Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:48:50 +0000 christopherwarren serif sans font msonormal calibri calibri fareast margin hurt wages talents greatest platini foreign musings philosophical hurt wages talents greatest platini foreign hurt wages talents greatest platini foreign speculated philosophical hurt wages talents greatest platini foreign http://footieblog.co.uk/?p=964 European Cup after World Cup have seen a snowballing of disappointment for the English football masses.

Spain winning Euro 2008 has pushed our reputation as underachievers further down the lav. And like such great philosophical musings as; Why are we here? Is there a god?

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