-zuco-
13-04-2008, 06:42 PM
Owen Hargreaves was Manchester United's unlikely
goalscoring hero as the Premier League leaders came
from behind to see-off title challengers Arsenal 2-1 at
Old Trafford here Sunday.
Emmanuel Adebayor had put Arsenal in front in the
48th minute only for Cristiano Ronaldo to equalise
minutes later with his 38th goal of a remarkable season
for United.
And the comeback was completed when Hargreaves
settled the match with a superb free-kick 18 minutes
from time.
Victory left reigning champions United six points clear
at the top of the table although second-placed Chelsea
will cut that lead to just three points if they beat Wigan
Athletic at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
But this result effectively ended Arsenal's title challenge
as it left them nine points adrift of United with just four
games of the league season left. And it also meant the
Gunners' run without a trophy was set to be extended
to three years after they lost in the Champions League
quarter-finals to English rivals Liverpool earlier in the week.
England midfielder Hargreaves, best known for his
defensive skills, made it 100 goals for United in just 50
games this campaign when his curled free-kick from the
edge of the box over the wall left goalkeeper Jens Lehmann
standing.
Adebayor had headed Arsenal in front three minutes into
the second period when he got on the end of Robin van
Persie's cross and exploited confusion between United
keeper Edwin van der Sar and centre-back Rio Ferdinand.
Although there were no complaints from the United players,
replays suggested Adebayor may have handled the ball
rather than knocked it in with his head, even though he
was just a few yards away from goal.
However, minutes later, handball at the other end helped
draw United level. Arsenal defender William Gallas clearly
handled inside his own area and referee Howard Webb
pointed to the spot.
Although Ronaldo 'scored', Webb ordered the penalty to
be re-taken because of encroachment by other players.
Lehmann, only playing because of a wrist injury to first-choice
keeper Manuel Almunia, was then booked for delaying the
second kick.
But Ronaldo, making light of the pressure of the situation,
stuck with his stuttering run-up and struck the ball low and
hard past the Germany international's right-hand in the 54th
minute.
AFP
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php
goalscoring hero as the Premier League leaders came
from behind to see-off title challengers Arsenal 2-1 at
Old Trafford here Sunday.
Emmanuel Adebayor had put Arsenal in front in the
48th minute only for Cristiano Ronaldo to equalise
minutes later with his 38th goal of a remarkable season
for United.
And the comeback was completed when Hargreaves
settled the match with a superb free-kick 18 minutes
from time.
Victory left reigning champions United six points clear
at the top of the table although second-placed Chelsea
will cut that lead to just three points if they beat Wigan
Athletic at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
But this result effectively ended Arsenal's title challenge
as it left them nine points adrift of United with just four
games of the league season left. And it also meant the
Gunners' run without a trophy was set to be extended
to three years after they lost in the Champions League
quarter-finals to English rivals Liverpool earlier in the week.
England midfielder Hargreaves, best known for his
defensive skills, made it 100 goals for United in just 50
games this campaign when his curled free-kick from the
edge of the box over the wall left goalkeeper Jens Lehmann
standing.
Adebayor had headed Arsenal in front three minutes into
the second period when he got on the end of Robin van
Persie's cross and exploited confusion between United
keeper Edwin van der Sar and centre-back Rio Ferdinand.
Although there were no complaints from the United players,
replays suggested Adebayor may have handled the ball
rather than knocked it in with his head, even though he
was just a few yards away from goal.
However, minutes later, handball at the other end helped
draw United level. Arsenal defender William Gallas clearly
handled inside his own area and referee Howard Webb
pointed to the spot.
Although Ronaldo 'scored', Webb ordered the penalty to
be re-taken because of encroachment by other players.
Lehmann, only playing because of a wrist injury to first-choice
keeper Manuel Almunia, was then booked for delaying the
second kick.
But Ronaldo, making light of the pressure of the situation,
stuck with his stuttering run-up and struck the ball low and
hard past the Germany international's right-hand in the 54th
minute.
AFP
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php