Arsenal close gap on Man United thanks to high flyer Cesc Fabregas

21 February 2010 00:12
Up for it: Cesc Fabregas (left) is dumped on his back by Sunderland's Michael Turner (right)[LNB]Cesc Fabregas ensured that the topsy-turvy title race took another twist yesterday on the day that Manchester United lost crucial ground on Chelsea. [LNB]Nicklas Bendtner scored Arsenal's first before Fabregas kept Arsenal right in the thick of things with an injury-time penalty in the 2-0 win over Sunderland that moved Arsene Wenger's men right onto United's heels following their 3-1 defeat at Everton earlier in the day. [LNB]Chelsea established a four-point lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win at Wolves and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson conceded that may be crucial to the destination of the title. [LNB]'It was a bad result for us and at this time of year you can't afford results like that,' said Sir Alex, after goals from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell cancelled out an early lead established by Dimitar Berbatov. [LNB]'We were well beaten, simple as that. We have to hope the others drop points, which has been the nature of this season.' [LNB]Two goals from Didier Drogba enabled the Blues to extend their lead, although Carlo Ancelotti refuses to believe yesterday was a turning point. [LNB]'The players were aware United had lost, and we managed to take advantage of the situation,' said the Italian.[LNB] Match-winner: Didier Drogba celebrates in front of Chelsea's fans[LNB] 'We didn't play that well, but we had a good spirit, battled for every ball and deserved the points. But there will be a lot of games between now and the end of the season, and nothing is decided at this moment. There are still a lot of points to play for.' [LNB]Chelsea were indebted to two fine saves from Petr Cech, keeping them in control before Drogba grabbed his 25th goal of the season in all competitions.[LNB] Ancelotti added: 'The save that Petr made when we were 1-0 up was fantastic.' [LNB]Ferguson suggested that the Champions League meeting with AC Milan might have contributed to a poor display by United. He said. 'We looked really tired but we've been bouncing in the week and we're going for a championship and you expect Manchester United to respond to the importance of the game.[LNB] 'Their first goal galvanised them and in the second half they were better. Of course the players are disappointed. They're human beings and they play for Manchester United.'[LNB] Everton 3 Manchester United 1: Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell come off the bench to halt Reds' title chargeWolves 0 Chelsea 2: Deadly Drogba's double fires Blues four points clear Arsenal 2 Sunderland 0: Walcott steals show as Gunners home in on United [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail