Source: Eurosport
Fergie expects ManU to dominate Premier League rivals
LONDON (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's 2-1 victory over Arsenal should send a warning to his side's Premier League title rivals.[LNB]Although United won the English league last season, they struggled in their showdowns with Liverpool and Arsenal.[LNB]Liverpool defeated Ferguson's men twice, while Arsenal took four points off the champions.[LNB]With that record in mind, Ferguson was delighted to see his side fight back from a goal down to beat the Gunners at Old Trafford on Saturday.[LNB]"When you are 1-0 down to a team of Arsenal's class it's an uphill task," Ferguson said. "We had to dig deep but we played really well in the second half and deserved to win.[LNB]"The players know winning big games is important. Last season we lost four points to Arsenal and six to Liverpool. Now we've got off to a better start against the bigger teams. That can make a difference."[LNB]Arsene Wenger's side were well on top after taking the lead through Andrey Arshavin's superb strike late in the first half.[LNB]But the champions were handed a lifeline soon after half-time when Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia needlessly conceded a penalty that Wayne Rooney converted.[LNB]It got worse for Arsenal as French midfielder Abou Diaby headed a Ryan Giggs free-kick into his own net five minutes later to give United their third win in four games.[LNB]Robin van Persie thought he had equalised in the last minute of stoppage time but the Arsenal striker's effort was ruled out for offside, leading Wenger to be sent to the stands as he kicked a water bottle in frustration.[LNB]Elsewhere, leaders Chelsea maintained their blistering form with a 3-0 victory over Burnley, while Liverpool came from behind to beat 10-man Bolton 3-2.[LNB]Nicolas Anelka broke Burnley's stubborn resistance at Stamford Bridge when he slid in to convert Didier Drogba's cross just before half-time.[LNB]Promoted Burnley, who had claimed famous victories over Manchester United and Everton in their previous two matches, were then swept aside.[LNB]Michael Ballack added Chelsea's second goal soon after the break when he headed in Frank Lampard's cross and Ashley Cole smashed in the third five minutes later to give Carlo Ancelotti's team a fourth successive victory under their new Italian manager.[LNB]At Bolton, Rafael Benitez's Liverpool showed they have the stomach to fight for the title.[LNB]The Reds had made a spluttering start to the campaign, with defeats against Tottenham and Aston Villa raising questions about their ability to win the league for the first time since 1990.[LNB]They fell behind to Bolton in the 33rd minute when Kevin Davies punished poor marking to drive home from close-range.[LNB]Glen Johnson equalised with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 41st minute.[LNB] Tamir Cohen restored Bolton's lead two minutes into the second half. But Bolton's Sean Davis was harshly shown a second yellow card for a foul on Lucas in the 55th minute.[LNB]The visitors took full advantage as Dirk Kuyt found Fernando Torres and the Spain striker finished smartly.[LNB]Steven Gerrard, criticised in the week by Benitez for his poor form, hit the winner with a perfectly-struck shot in the 83rd minute.[LNB]"It was the perfect response from the players," Benitez said. "You could see all the players, from the first minute, played with a lot of determination to win. It's important to have this mentality."[LNB]Tottenham, in second place on goal difference, kept pace with Chelsea as Aaron Lennon's last-gasp goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Birmingham at White Hart Lane.[LNB]Dave Kitson's first league goal for Stoke clinched a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.[LNB]Wolverhampton are still waiting for their first home win of the season as Hull ground out a 1-1 draw at Molineux.[LNB] Blackburn and West Ham played out a dour goalless draw at Ewood Park.
