United prove credentials as Gunners are left wanting

31 January 2010 18:48
Manchester United swept aside title rivals Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium to move within a point of leaders Chelsea. Arsenal, who started the match five points behind Chelsea ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend, began well and Andrey Arshavin posed a threat. But United - who have played a match more than the Blues - slowly started to gain the upper hand before Nani created the opener after 33 minutes. The winger skipped easily in between two defenders and chipped the ball back across goal where Manuel Almunia could only push it inside his far post. Four minutes later and United were 2-0 ahead. Again Nani was the provider, dashing clear before squaring it for Wayne Rooney to sweep home his 22nd goal of the season. The Gunners faced an uphill battle to get back into the match and it was game over after 52 minutes as United scored a third following another simple counter, this time Park Ji-Sung slotting past Almunia from just inside the box. Arsenal, who were also beaten here 3-0 by Chelsea at the end of November, did pull a goal back with 11 minutes to go when Thomas Vermaelen's volley took a deflection off Jonny Evans. However, there was to be no grand finale as Arsene Wenger's youngsters were again found wanting when it mattered most.

Source: PA