Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal 1 Manchester United 0: Aaron Ramsey blows title race wide open
At one stage during their game at Stamford Bridge on March 1, Manchester United were effectively 18 points clear of Chelsea, albeit having played an extra game. [LNB]Carlo Ancelotti highlighted as much to his players during the interval that day, no doubt fearful they might slip out of the Champions League places, never mind the title race. [LNB]Now, however, a win at Old Trafford this Sunday would see Chelsea move to the top of the Barclays Premier League on goal difference. [LNB]Ferguson rues penalty decision as United's title challenge falters at Arsenal Unsighted: United keeper Edwin van der Sar is unable to stop Aaron Ramsey's shot from finding the net[LNB]Thanks to a fully deserved victory for Arsenal at the Emirates against a United side who were a poor imitation of the one which so impressed in Gelsenkirchen five days earlier, that same title race is very much alive. [LNB] It is an astonishing turnaround but one that is easy to explain. [LNB]That day Chelsea fought back to win 2-1 and have taken 25 of the 27 points available to them since, if you include that particular victory. [LNB] Match-winners: Ramsey and Robin van Persie celebrates the decisive strike[LNB]United, meanwhile, have suffered two more defeats and dropped a further two points with the draw they secured against Newcastle. [LNB] Obviously, the advantage remains with United. [LNB]They have the benefit of being at home next weekend, while a trip to Blackburn and a final game at home to Blackpool is a touch less daunting than the run-in facing Chelsea - at home to Newcastle and away to Everton. [LNB] Back of the net: Ramsey (right) ensures a thrilling finish to the Premier League season[LNB]But Sir Alex Ferguson will be concerned given how disappointing they were here, losing not just to a fine goal from Aaron Ramsey but in just about every area of the pitch. [LNB] Arsenal have appeared alarmingly fragile at times this season, not least since their crushing Carling Cup final loss to Birmingham. [LNB]But they performed with aggression as well as their usual artistry, securing only their second win in 10 games by dominating United for long spells.[LNB] Penalty claim one: Patrice Evra appeals after going down under Theo Walcott's challenge[LNB] [LNB] How Arsene Wenger must deeply regret their poor run, given how close Arsenal remain to the top two. It was all the more impressive because they did so in the absence of the injured Cesc Fabregas.[LNB]As it was, Ramsey and Jack Wilshere demonstrated that Wenger would still have a pretty classy midfield even if he loses his skipper to Barcelona this summer. [LNB]Against a United midfield weakened by Ferguson's decision to rest Ryan Giggs, they were excellent, Wilshere and Ramsey playing some delightful passing football safe in the knowledge that Alex Song was watching their backs. [LNB] Penlty claim two: Michael Owen (right) tumbles after coming together with Gael Clichy (left)[LNB] It was the absence of such a player that ultimately proved United's undoing yesterday.[LNB] Keen to shake things up a bit, Ferguson decided to replace Anderson with Antonio Valencia and move Park Ji-sung into central midfield. [LNB]But it was Park who then failed to track Ramsey's run from deep, allowing the young Welshman to complete a move that he started when he fed the ball to Robin van Persie on the right flank.[LNB]The Dutchman still had to beat Patrice Evra and Ramsey produced a fine first-time finish in meeting the delayed return ball from his colleague, but it was assisted by the fact that Park had let him go.[LNB] [LNB] Tempers flare: The teams come together after Nani and Alex Song's disagreement[LNB] That 57th-minute goal - Ramsey's first since returning from serious injury - came with a sense that justice had finally been done. [LNB]After 32 minutes Van Persie had complained to the assistant referee, aware that Nemanja Vidic had deliberately used his hand to divert a Theo Walcott cross when he was poised to score with what would have been a relatively simple header. [LNB] Star quality: Actress Charlize Theron was at the Emirates to watch the big game[LNB]Not only should it have been a penalty but it could have been a red card too, as Vidic had denied Arsenal a clear scoring opportunity. [LNB]As Ferguson pointed out afterwards, United too had a fair claim for a penalty.[LNB] [caption[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] It was a bit rich to suggest it cost them a draw but Gael Clichy definitely fouled Michael Owen in the box. [LNB]Had United then equalised from the spot, it would have been most unfair. Walcott featured prominently in some fine early football by Arsenal.[LNB] Quiet day: Wayne Rooney (left) was just one United player to underperform[LNB]MATCH FACTS Arsenal (4-3-2-1): Szczesny 7; Sagna 7, Koscielny 6, Djourou 7 (Squillaci 69min, 6), Clichy 7; Ramsey 8, Song 7, Wilshere 8; Nasri 6 (Arshavin 46, 6), Walcott 7 (Eboue 78, 6); Van Persie 7. Subs not used: Lehmann, Gibbs, Chamakh, Bendtner. Booked: Ramsey, Song. Scorer: Ramsey 56.[LNB]Manchester United (4-4-2): Van der Sar 6; Fabio 6, Ferdinand 6, Vidic 5, Evra 6; Park Ji-sung 5, Anderson 6 (Valencia 55, 6), Carrick 5 (Owen 85, 6), Nani 6; Rooney 6, Hernandez 6 (Berbatov 74, 5). Subs not used: Kuszczak, Smalling, Rafael, O'Shea. Booked: Fabio, Park, Rooney.[LNB]Man of the match: Aaron Ramsey. [LNB]Referee: Chris Foy 5. [LNB]Attendance: 60,107.[LNB]It was Vidic's failure to clear one of his crosses that almost led to a goal for Wilshere. As it was, the midfielder dragged his shot wide. [LNB]United offered little in response. Bacary Sagna timed one challenge to perfection when Javier Hernandez briefly threatened, while Wojciech Szczesny did well to push a Wayne Rooney free-kick to safety.[LNB]There was nothing, however, that Edwin van der Sar could do to deny Ramsey, and little United could muster in response despite a major reshuffle by Ferguson. [LNB]After sending on Valencia, the manager ordered Dimitar Berbatov and Owen to follow, but to no avail.[LNB]The closest they went, Owen's penalty claim aside, was when Szczesny denied Nani. [LNB]Rooney, now in central midfield in a 4-2-4 formation, provided that opportunity but United were certainly missing the creativity Giggs brings these days.[LNB] But when Ferguson looked ahead to this game, you sensed he thought this might happen. [LNB]He spoke of how a point would be a point well-earned, and predicted that there was 'more drama ahead'. [LNB]And my word there is now; at Old Trafford next Sunday.[LNB][LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Five of the best: Gary Neville relives his top five games against ArsenalNow Rooney's running them all ragged... and the stats prove itTrophy drought is embarrassing! I wouldn't blame Cesc if he quit Arsenal, blasts SagnaAll the latest Arsenal FC news, features and opinionAll the latest Manchester United FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Jack Wilshere, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Bacary Sagna, Nani, Alex Ferguson, Robin Van Persie, Ryan Giggs, Alex Song, Antonio Valencia, Edwin Van Der Sar, Dimitar Berbatov, Park Ji-sung, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Manchester, Barcelona, Newcastle, Birmingham
