10 April 2006, by Sean Gillen

Rooney-inspired United keep Chelsea sweating

Manchester 2-0 Arsenal

Wayne Rooney was the star as Manchester United continued their title challenge with an impressive performance against Arsenal at Old Trafford. The young striker scored one and made another for Ji-Sung Park in front of a Premiership record attendance of over 70,000.

With Chelsea winning earlier in the day, a win was crucial for United to keep up their outside hopes of the title. In what has become a real grudge match between the two sides, United were outstanding and thoroughly deserved the victory, which meant that the gap at the top of the Premiership remained at 7 points.

Ronaldo quiet

Cristiano Ronaldo was again included for United, but had a quiet game after being given more defensive responsibilities than has become usual. Rather than playing as part of a 3-man forward line, as has been the case in the last few months, he was used slightly deeper, as a wide man in a 4-man midfield to give Arsenal’s midfield less space.

High on confidence after their midweek Champions League win over Juventus, Arsenal started well, and controlled the first fifteen minutes. Robin van Persie tested United goalkeeper Edwin van Der Sar with a low shot after just three minutes and Emmanuel Eboue and van Persie again had attempts on goal before the 10-minute mark.

As the game began to open up United started to look the more dangerous side, with Rooney causing the Arsenal defence countless problems. Rooney had two efforts well saved by Lehman and Ryan Giggs headed over from close range before Ruud van Nistelrooy dragged his finish wide when well placed. Arsenal’s van Persie also drew another good save from van der Sar with a low drive.

Penalty appeal

There was a controversial moment five minutes before half time, when referee Graham Poll waved away strong United penalty claims for handball against Kolo Toure. After being brilliantly put through by van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney rounded Lehman only to see Toure lunge towards the ball and palm his goalbound shot onto the post, but Poll indicated that he did not get a proper view of the incident.

United took just nine minutes of the second half to finally take the lead. After a great challenge from the outstanding Nemanja Vidic won possession for United, Mikael Silvestre’s pinpoint cross found Rooney, who controlled instantly and fired past Lehman.

Arsenal’s only real chance of the second half came shortly afterwards, but van Persie failed to connect with a cross from Eboue.

Arsenal introduced Thierry Henry midway through the second half but aside from an off target free-kick, the Frenchman was ineffectual and quiet as United remained the sharper side.

Substitute Louis Saha missed a good headed opportunity for United but the all-important second goal came 12 minutes from time. Saha’s pass found Rooney, who held off the challenge from Senderos before picking out Ji-Sung Park at the far post for the Korean to seal the win.

Ronaldo could have got his name on the scoresheet late on when put through on goal by another great Rooney ball, but Lehman read his run well and saved after the 21-year-old’s heavy first touch.

United were comfortable for the remainder of the game and secured their ninth league win in a row. United are undoubtedly the form team in the Premiership, and with Chelsea seemingly having the more difficult fixture list and the sides still to meet, the Red Devils are determined to fight Jose Mourinho’s men all the way.


Man United:
Van Der Sar, Neville, Silvestre, Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shea, Giggs, Park (Evra, 84), Ronaldo, Rooney, van Nistelrooy (Saha, 62)
Yellow Cards: Vidic (55), O’Shea (71), Silvestre (76)

Arsenal:
Lehman, Eboue, Flamini, Senderos, Toure, Gilberto, Fabregas (Diaby, 69), Hleb (Ljunberg, 74), Pires, van Persie (Henry, 69), Adebayor

Goals:
[1-0] Rooney, 54
[2-0] Park, 78