Arsenal and Manchester United couldn't be separated at Old Trafford tonight as super-sub Teddy Sheringham once again answered the SOS call of his boss to preserve Manchester United’s impressive unbeaten home record.
Fredrik Ljungberg continued his knack of scoring against United with a first-half strike after an error from Jaap Stam. It was a lead well earned but the introduction of Sheringham in the 65th minute changed the game and he capitalised after good work from Ryan Giggs in the 73rd minute. Both teams have won more games and scored more goals than at the same stage last season. They both lie three points adrift of leaders Leeds. However, United, playing their first Premiership match in 27 days, know that they have two games in hand to make up that deficit.
Arsenal were forced to field only one recognised forward – Henry – as Arsene Wenger was without the likes of Bergkamp, Kanu and Suker – injured, on international duty and suspended respectively. Sir Alex Ferguson on the other hand, had the luxury of picking from a full squad as no injuries were picked up from their World Club Championship exploits. The only change they were forced to make was that of Mark Bosnich’s jersey. His yellow top clashed with Arsenal’s away top and, rather amusingly, he was forced to don a makeshift roll-neck jumper.
United’s start was lacklustre to say the least as the Arsenal duo of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit looked authoritative, nullifying the impact of Roy Keane and Nicky Butt. In the absence of so many strikers Ljungberg filled the Bergkamp role just behind Henry. He looked busy and it was his persistence that led to the first goal after 11 minutes. He chased a nothing ball putting the world’s most expensive defender, Jaap Stam, under pressure. The big Dutchman, attempting to clear over his shoulder, mis-kicked allowing the Swede to nip in and finish coolly. Ljungberg is proving to be a real thorn in United’s side having now scored three goals against them in the last two seasons. Arsenal were on top at this stage and creating the better chances. Ljungberg wriggled free of Silvestre but his shot was inches wide of the near post and Henry came close with a deflected shot.
Games between these two always seem to throw up controversial incidents. This game was no different as the home side thought they had two legitimate claims for penalties. In the 27th minute, Ryan Giggs was being held back by Martin Keown as he attempted to meet a deflected Andy Cole cross. In the end, it fell to Yorke who couldn’t keep his shot down. Five minutes later, referee Paul Durkin again waved away United protests, this time for a handball. From a Beckham corner, Yorke nodded down for Cole to swivel. When his shot was bravely blocked by Dixon the ball appeared to ricochet onto the arm of a surprised Gilles Grimandi. Arsenal could so easily have doubled their lead in the 38th minute when United’s defence was once again cut open like a knife through butter. Henry’s pace took him goalside of Silvestre but when confronted with a one-on-one situation, Bosnich got down well to save with his left-hand. It took United 45 minutes before they created their first real clear-cut chance. Cole linked up well with Nicky Butt whose determined run took him into the penalty area but his toe-poked effort was palmed away by Seaman. Giggs then blasted the rebound into the side-netting.
Bosnich changed into a more appropriate top for the second half that United needed to dominate early on. They didn’t and Arsenal’s solid defence, confident midfield and threatening strike line continued to keep them frustrated. Two minutes after the interval, Denis Irwin was required to clear off his goal line when a dangerously whipped Petit corner was flicked on by Henry’s hand. In doing so, he clashed with countryman Grimandi and both required treatment from the physio. United have only failed to score in one game all season – the 5-0 thrashing at Chelsea – and as the game wore on they began to look more and more likely to score. Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to bring on Teddy Sheringham with 25 minutes remaining proved to be the masterstroke. A burst from Ryan Giggs down the left-wing in the 73rd minute took him past Dixon and his cross was only punched so far as Beckham. He calmly cushioned a pass to Sheringham who had the simple task of side-footing home into an empty net.
Before the equaliser, United had begun to look dangerous and Keown and Grimandi did well to block efforts from Butt and Keane. The improvement in attack wasn’t mirrored in defence. Silvestre’s miserable evening continued and he had to recover to deflect Ljunberg’s 71st minute strike. The momentum was with the home side as the minutes ticked down but Arsenal’s defence stayed resolute and defended with strength and bravery to the end.
Man Utd: Bosnich, G. Neville, Stam, Silvestre, Irwin, Beckham, Keane, Butt, Giggs, Cole, Yorke. Subs: Van Der Gouw, P. Neville, Berg, Solskjaer, Sheringham.
Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Grimandi, Silvinho, Parlour, Vieira, Petit, Hughes, Ljungberg, Henry. Subs: Winterburn, Wreh, Manninger, Malz, Luzhny.
Referee: P Durkin (Dorset)
