carlyluvsunited
04-11-2007, 07:54 PM
So football does not require goal-line technology after all !!!
All it needs is for assistant referees to stay as concentrated and sharp-eyed as
Darren Cann for 92 minutes. With an estimated billion people watching this
contest across the world, Norfolk official Cann spared referee Howard Webb and
Premier League officials from another embarrassing goal-line controversy when
he spotted that William Gallas's shot in the dying minutes had crossed the line.
It did not evolve into the game of the season, as had been promised. Though, as
it flickered into life at times, it did represent Arsenal's irresistible force against
United's immoveable object. There is too much respect between these old rivals
for them to indulge in a free-for-all, yet it was as fascinating a contest as usual
and honours were rightfully shared.
As Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted afterwards: "We played a little bit
with the handbrake on in the first half. We were too tentative and cautious and
playing at the wrong pace, which allowed United to control us well. And they
looked as though they could take advantage of any mistake we made." Much has
been made of Arsenal's fantasy football, their kaleidoscope passing and their
heavenly goals. But, once again, this demonstrated the remarkable durability of
Wenger's young side, a team who simply refuse to be beaten.
Defeat here, which would have seen United leapfrog them into top spot, might
well have dented the spirit that now effuses from their dressing-room. But, after
falling behind for a second time just seven minutes from time, they found the
belief and the football to dig out an equaliser and, at the end, they were once
again locked in a celebratory huddle in the centre of the pitch. If it was not a win,
it felt like it.
Wenger said that Arsenal's draw at Liverpool last week would make them even
stronger. So what will this do for the young men who were written off before a
ball had been kicked, but who are now unbeaten after 18 games, winning 15?
Wenger said: "Character-wise, there is something special in this team, which you
don't see at first. There is some resilience and character that is well hidden,
disguised by the players' easy technique. At Liverpool last week, we also had to
run after the game and to come back every time takes something special."
The downside for them is that both their goals were defensive mistakes, the
second a disastrous moment for goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, which gives Wenger
an enormous problem, since he can hardly recall Jens Lehmann after his
damaging remarks about his fellow custodians.
As for United, despite the lateness of the equaliser, the champions will not be
unhappy with a draw against the leaders, even if it rudely interrupted a run of
eight Premier League wins. Ultimately, they and Arsenal do not need to beat one
another to win the title. They need to collect more points against the lesser
brethren.
If Arsenal paid them a little too much respect, the feeling was mutual, with United
drawing everyone behind the ball at times. When you see Ryan Giggs making
defensive headers on the edge of his own box, you know that United are under
the cosh.
Owen Hargreaves, still feeling his way back in, was meant to stem the creative
influence of Cesc Fabregas, yet it was more often Anderson, rapidly finding the
abrasiveness of the Premier League to his liking, who snapped at the heels of
Arsenal's many willing runners, particularly Alexander Hleb. With such
competitiveness on either side, there was barely more room on the pitch than in
a Piccadilly Line carriage in the half-hour before kick-off.
Click here to join manutdtalk.com and read all breaking news on all things
United !!!
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php
All it needs is for assistant referees to stay as concentrated and sharp-eyed as
Darren Cann for 92 minutes. With an estimated billion people watching this
contest across the world, Norfolk official Cann spared referee Howard Webb and
Premier League officials from another embarrassing goal-line controversy when
he spotted that William Gallas's shot in the dying minutes had crossed the line.
It did not evolve into the game of the season, as had been promised. Though, as
it flickered into life at times, it did represent Arsenal's irresistible force against
United's immoveable object. There is too much respect between these old rivals
for them to indulge in a free-for-all, yet it was as fascinating a contest as usual
and honours were rightfully shared.
As Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted afterwards: "We played a little bit
with the handbrake on in the first half. We were too tentative and cautious and
playing at the wrong pace, which allowed United to control us well. And they
looked as though they could take advantage of any mistake we made." Much has
been made of Arsenal's fantasy football, their kaleidoscope passing and their
heavenly goals. But, once again, this demonstrated the remarkable durability of
Wenger's young side, a team who simply refuse to be beaten.
Defeat here, which would have seen United leapfrog them into top spot, might
well have dented the spirit that now effuses from their dressing-room. But, after
falling behind for a second time just seven minutes from time, they found the
belief and the football to dig out an equaliser and, at the end, they were once
again locked in a celebratory huddle in the centre of the pitch. If it was not a win,
it felt like it.
Wenger said that Arsenal's draw at Liverpool last week would make them even
stronger. So what will this do for the young men who were written off before a
ball had been kicked, but who are now unbeaten after 18 games, winning 15?
Wenger said: "Character-wise, there is something special in this team, which you
don't see at first. There is some resilience and character that is well hidden,
disguised by the players' easy technique. At Liverpool last week, we also had to
run after the game and to come back every time takes something special."
The downside for them is that both their goals were defensive mistakes, the
second a disastrous moment for goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, which gives Wenger
an enormous problem, since he can hardly recall Jens Lehmann after his
damaging remarks about his fellow custodians.
As for United, despite the lateness of the equaliser, the champions will not be
unhappy with a draw against the leaders, even if it rudely interrupted a run of
eight Premier League wins. Ultimately, they and Arsenal do not need to beat one
another to win the title. They need to collect more points against the lesser
brethren.
If Arsenal paid them a little too much respect, the feeling was mutual, with United
drawing everyone behind the ball at times. When you see Ryan Giggs making
defensive headers on the edge of his own box, you know that United are under
the cosh.
Owen Hargreaves, still feeling his way back in, was meant to stem the creative
influence of Cesc Fabregas, yet it was more often Anderson, rapidly finding the
abrasiveness of the Premier League to his liking, who snapped at the heels of
Arsenal's many willing runners, particularly Alexander Hleb. With such
competitiveness on either side, there was barely more room on the pitch than in
a Piccadilly Line carriage in the half-hour before kick-off.
Click here to join manutdtalk.com and read all breaking news on all things
United !!!
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php