Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0: Park Ji-Sung takes Fergie's men back to the top
Still unbeaten and still that little bit older, wiser and stronger than Arsenal, Manchester United demonstrated here last night that they are most definitely ready to challenge for the Barclays Premier League title.[LNB]Arsene Wenger rather hoped his own team would prove that by displaying a perfect combination of power and flair. A performance that would respond to the bold accusation by United's Patrice Evra that they are nothing more than a 'training centre'.[LNB]But last night they succeeded only in supporting Evra's point. Against the side back at the summit of the table with a game to spare, they showed they have a bit to learn. [LNB] Park life: Ji-sung Park celebrates his match-winning goal with provider Nani to put United top of the league[LNB] [LNB]For Wenger it must have beendisappointing, his side's failure to really test United with theirusual firepower and finesse leaving him to reflect on an opportunitywasted. [LNB]Even in the absence of CescFabregas, who started on the bench, he no doubt hoped to see more fromplayers like Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky. Against a superb Uniteddefence they made little progress, however.[LNB]Even when it seemed Marouane Chamakhwould capitalise on a moment when Edwin van der Sar could only divert ashot from Nasri into his path, Nemanja Vidic suddenly arrived to makethe vital block. Terrific.[LNB]In the end they had no answer to abrilliant piece of improvisation from Park Ji-sung, to yet another goalfor the Korean against the team he scores against most regularly in thePremier League.[LNB]For Wojciech Szczesny, the20-year-old goalkeeper given the chance to shine for Arsenal lastnight, it must have been frustrating. His kicking was suspect but heotherwise did well, only losing out to Park's delightfully cleverheader because of the deflection Nani's cross took off Gael Clichy.Having come to meet it, he was suddenly stranded. [LNB] Heading up: Ji-sung Park did well to create space and direct his looped header into the back of the net[LNB]Not that United deserved anythingless than victory. They have not hit top gear this season but theirconsistency is to be admired, not to mention the winning mentality thatSir Alex Ferguson manages to instil in his players, year after year. [LNB]In a cagey, fiercely contested matchthis was a victory for that kind of savvy. For experience and mentaltoughness. For players who know how to win trophies against playerswho, for the most part, have not yet tasted such success. [LNB]Wenger might have said it was timefor his side to show they are ready to challenge for the title but itwas asking a lot of some of them. Of the teenage Jack Wilshere and ayoung Polish goalkeeper whose last league appearance was in May, whenhe kept a clean sheet for Brentford against Hartlepool. [LNB]But they started well enough,Szczesny displaying good composure to hold a decent effort from WayneRooney before comfortably gathering a free-kick from Nani. [LNB]The visitors launched a couple ofdecent early attacks - Rosicky was looking lively in his role behindthe striker - but United were attacking with rather more fluency andpurpose. Nani was making advances down the right flank and, whenSebastien Squillaci succeeded only in diverting a ball from DarrenFletcher into his path, he should have scored. As it was, he drove hisfirst time effort inches wide. [LNB] Welcome Beck: Former United favourite David Beckham returned to Old Trafford to watch the game with former team-mate Gary Neville[LNB]Rooney then tested Arsenal's young goalkeeper again, and again without success. [LNB]But the momentum was with United,who were dominating midfield with their extra man. Leaving DimitarBerbatov on the bench did seem harsh on the Bulgarian but it wasproving a successful tactic.[LNB]Not that they were having it alltheir own way. Arsenal might have been seeing less of the ball but theywere matching United physically, even if they were a little fortunateto escape cries for a penalty when Chamakh appeared to handle. Infairness to referee Howard Webb, it probably would have been harshgiven an attempt at a headed clearance simply struck his hand. [LNB]There was anger among the Unitedplayers, however, when Webb then failed to penalise Alex Song for clearobstruction. Fletcher was in the process of executing a delightfulone-two with Rooney only to have his path blatantly blocked by theArsenal midfielder and he was not best pleased with Webb for failing tosee the offence.[LNB]Like all the United players,Fletcher was soon celebrating Park's 41st-minute goal, though. A goalthat came courtesy of a superb glancing header. A move that startedwith a perfectly weighted header from Rooney continued when Nani drovein a deflected cross. Park leant back sufficiently to meet the ballwith a header that looped over a stranded Szczesny and bounced home viathe right-hand post. [LNB] Over the top: Wayne Rooney failed to double United's advantage in the second-half after smashing his penalty high over the crossbar[LNB]Old Trafford erupted and then so toodid this match, momentarily. A clumsy challenge by Chamakh on Naniinvited a yellow card from Webb and sparked a brief clash betweenFletcher and Wilshere. [LNB]Such was the pressure being exertedon Arsenal, Andrey Arshavin then got himself booked as well, for a foulon Fletcher. But Anderson failed to take advantage with a dreadfulfree-kick.[LNB]MATCH FACTS MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3): Van der Sar 6; Rafael 6, Ferdinand 8, Vidic 8, Evra 7; Fletcher 7, Carrick 6, Anderson 7 (Giggs 85min); Nani 7, Rooney 7, Park 8. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Brown, Berbatov, Smalling, Hernandez, Obertan.[LNB]ARSENAL (4-4-1-1): Szczesny 7; Sagna 6, Squillaci 6, Koscielny 6, Clichy 6; Song 6, Rosicky 7 (Fabregas 64, 6), Wilshere 7 (Van Persie 64, 6), Nasri 6; Arshavin 6 (Walcott 77); Chamakh 6. Subs not used: Fabianski, Denilson, Djourou, Bendtner.[LNB]Booked: Chamakh, Arshavin, Nasri, Song. [LNB]Man of the match: Park Ji-sung.[LNB]Referee: Howard Webb 7. [LNB]Anderson might have added a secondafter the break. A super pass from Rooney put him through but acourageous save from Szczesny denied the midfielder. [LNB]With more possession after the break- 62 per cent according to the statisticians - Arsenal did improve onthe static football of the opening 45 minutes. And soon afterAnderson's opportunity they enjoyed one of their own. Chamakh must havethought he was about to score the equaliser, only to see Vidic deny himwith a stunning display of his athleticism. [LNB]Wenger responded by making changes in the 63rd minute. While Fabregas went on for the slightly ineffectiveWilshere, Robin van Persie replaced Rosicky. For two players lackingtheir usual sharpness after injury problems, it was asking a lot,however. [LNB]United could have sealed victoryafter Clichy was harshly penalised for handball, the ball striking hisarm when he was on the ground and unable to move out of the way. ButArsenal were reprieved when Rooney sent the resulting penalty high andwide.[LNB]Arsenal might have come into thisgame on top of the league but United not only leapfrogged them. Ofthese two they looked like the one team capable of staying there.[LNB] Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0: How the action unfolded at Old TraffordWin FIFA 11 signed by Wayne Rooney and an Xbox 360 4GB courtesy of EA SportsMANCHESTER UNITED FC
