Manchester United vs Arsenal
Match pulse
MANAttacking pressure by 5 minutes
Who won: Man United 2-0
Manchester United beat Arsenal 2-0 on Sunday, October 24, 2004 at Old Trafford. Goals for Man United: Ruud van Nistelrooy (73' pen) and Wayne Rooney (90'+3').
Play by play
- 90'
Well, all good things must come to an end and today Arsenal's unbeaten run came to an end at the last place they would have wanted. It wasn't a classic but it was committed, entertaining and between all the huffing and puffing there was some good football on show.
- 90'
Final whistle goes and an enthralling game played in difficult conditions comes to a close with the final score Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal.
- 90'
Bergkamp in trouble for throwing an arm at Smith but the referee somes some sense just to have a word with the two of them and leave it at that.
- 90'
With Arsenal stretched searching for the equaliser Smith found room on the right and was aware enough to pick out the unmarked Rooney right in front of goal. A minute or so of stoppage time to play but there is no question how this one will end.
- 90'
Happy birthday Wayne! On his 19th birthday Rooney ends the game in stoppage time with one of the easiest finishes of his short career. 2-0 and Arsenal lose.
- 90'
Arsenal come forward with Ljungberg again, his square ball in to Toure sees him throw himself pathetically in search of a penalty. No chance.
- 89'
A time wasting change for United sees Louis Saha come on for the goal scorer van Nistlerooy.
- 88'
Glorious chance for Giggs to settle it. A clever ball from Scholes put him through one-on-one with Lehmann but, with the keeper coming out, Giggs' low shot was too close to him.
- 87'
Neat passing between Henry, Pires and Cole sets up a snap shot for Cole that flashes just wide of the upright with Carroll struggling to make up the ground.
- 86'
Looks like an attack against defence practice session with Arsenal as the attackers. But, so far, the defenders are coming out on top.
- 85'
United substitution brings Alan Smith into the action in place of Ronaldo.
- 84'
Corner comes to nothing but Arsenal retain possession and come again. Great response to going behind from the champions but the United defence is standing firm.
- 83'
Cole and Pires combine well down the left and even though Pires' low centre was poor Scholes took no chances and conceded a corner.
- 82'
Edu shows the lack of a calm head by trying his luck from all of 30 yards and not coming even close.
- 81'
Arsenal continue to pour forward with Ljungberg pulling the strings on the rigth but his crossing is being dealt with time and again by Ferdinand and Silvestre.
- 79'
United unlucky not to be given a second spot-kick. In clear view of the linesman Ronaldo sold Cole a dummy and the Arsenal man took his legs out. For my money a clearer penalty than the first one.
- 78'
With tempers and the tempo raised Edu becomes the latest to be shown yellow for a late challenge on Ronaldo.
- 77'
With virtually the entire United team camped in or around their own box Toure has two chances to shoot from 20 yards and both hit a red wall.
- 76'
Free-kick out wide on the left for Arsenal is wasted by Bergkamp who doesn't even clear the first man with his delivery.
- 75'
Arsenal go searching for an equaliser and Pires gets the ball on the edge of the box. Looked to be a shot on but instead he squared it to Henry who was closed down by three United men.
- 74'
As the United fans celebrate Vieira, perhaps showing some frustration, scythes through Giggs and is rightly booked.
- 73'
The game has changed. It was tight and competetive but Arsenal were probably shading it on points but now the atmosphere has been cranked up again.
- 72'
Up steps van Nistlerooy, Lehmann goes right, the ball goes low and left and the deadlock is broken. 1-0 United.
- 71'
...is tripped by the England man. PENALTY to United!
- 70'
Loose ball forward from Ferdinand is not dealt with by Toure and Rooney is able to collect and run at the defence. He is forced wide but keeps the move going with a couple of passes with Giggs. Rooney gets it back, turns inside Campbell in the box and...
Leaders
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