Late goal gives Gunners win over United
Wenger claims his first league win over United since May 2002
Also In The News
|
Connie Fisher has won the hearts of the British public - and landed the role of Maria in a west end production of The Sound Of Music. |  |
Sunday, 17, Sep 2006 06:26
Arsenal have ended Manchester United's unbeaten start to the season after a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
The Gunners dominated the match and were rewarded with a goal by striker Emmanuel Adebayor four minutes from time in front of a Premiership record 75,595 crowd.
William Gallas made his first Premiership start for Arsene Wenger's side as they beat their bitter rivals for the first time in four years in the league without the injured Thierry Henry.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson demoted £18 million signing Michael Carrick to the substitutes bench while goalkeeper Thomas Kuszczak made his debut.
Kuszczak's first contribution as a United player was to condede a penalty after bringing down Adebayor on 12 minutes.
But the Polish goalkeeper redeemed himself by saving Gilberto's spot-kick after the Brazilian slipped as he struck the ball.
Tomas Rosicky came close to scoring a trademark long range effort on 20 minutes which was well saved by Kuszczak.
Cristiano Ronaldo had two chances in the final minutes of the first half to give an under-par United the lead.
The Portuguese winger curled a shot aside from outside the box on 43 minutes rather than passing to Louis Saha in space.
Ronaldo then fired a venomous shot from close range two minutes later which hit Jens Lehmann plush in the face.
Substitute Julio Baptista came close to scoring his first goal for the Gunners on 80 minutes with a drive from outside the box that flew narrowly wide.
An anonymous Wayne Rooney was substituted in the second half much to his frustration as Arsenal continued to dominant.
The Gunners sealed the three points on 86 minutes when Ronaldo was robbed of possession by Cesc Fabregas.
The Spaniard's pass sent through Adebayor whose flick with the outside of his right foot went under Kuszczak.
Arsenal had goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to thank a minute later after the German got his fingertips to substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's goal-bound drive.
The result sees United remain in second behind Portsmouth on 12 points while Arsenal move up to tenth with their first league win of the season.