Gunners gunned down

Title deciding match number 1. Manchester United Vs Arsenal. Arsenal are hoping to keep their title dreams alive by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford, but Old Trafford is Manchester United's fortress, only a hand full of teams will be able to steal points from United at home. The starting line-up suggested that it would be a full attacking match, but when the match started it was Arsenal with the most attacks with United trying to get a momentum for attacks. First Adebayor's run was halted by Rio Ferdinand on the edge of the area and Fabregas hit a powerful drive just over Van Der Sar's post from a ball that was gifted by Wes Brown. United's first crack at goal was Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick which hit the wall.Ferdinand was again called upon to block an Adebayor effort and another attempt from Gilberto was stopped when the second of two Arsenal corners in quick succession was punched less than convincingly by Edwin van der Sar. The Dutchman did better on the deck when Adebayor next threatened, diving to his right to hold a low shot.

With all Arsenal attacks, United manage to hit them on the break, when Ronaldo beat Song on the byline and pulled the ball back to Rooney who was 3-4 yards out but Rooney shot was saved by Lehmann's legs. There was a couple of missed hits from Arsenal with Adebayor and Gilberto missing. It was open season for shooting, with Arsenal’s lack of accuracy perhaps the saving grace for some generous defending on United’s part. Even when Adebayor’s albeit tame shot was on target after being put through by Hleb, van der Sar claimed it. It was a nervous second for United's Stretford End when they saw Adebayor through, but thankfully Van Der Sar saved it.

In the second half the awaited goals came. Arsenal was the first to struck, Adebayor met van Persie’s left-wing cross to give Arsenal the lead from close range. It appeared at first glance to be a clean header but TV replays suggested the ball went in off the striker's arm. United was fast to respond when Ronaldo hit a penalty 6 minutes later after Gallas's hand ball in the box. The celebration roar was deafening. Sir Alex made a double substitution, on came Tevez and Anderson to replace Park and Scholes. Both of them contributed to the game immediately, Anderson was scythed down which earned Adebayor a yellow card and Tevez had a bullet of a shot that just went past the post, if it would have hit the back of the net what a goal it would have been.

United nearly embarrassed themselfs, twice, once by Brown when he deflected Clichy's effort on to the post and the second was from Ferdinand who has Van Der Sar to thank for the safe he made. But these near embarrassments were all forgotten when Hargreaves struct a beautiful free kick to put United .

Arsenal tried in vain to keep their title hopes alive when they brought on Bendtner who had one header saved by Van Der Sar and another that hit the post. But Manchester United held on the lead to collect all 3 points and to end Arsenal's title dreams.

And it was a great news on the following day when Wigan held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw, with Hasselbaink scoring in injury time to secure a point for Wigan and to give Manchester United a 5 point gap. Next big match Chelsea vs Manchester United.