The Hindu : Sport / Football : Man United beats Arsenal; consolidates position

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Man United beats Arsenal; consolidates position

London: Manchester United came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday to stretch its lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points. Chelsea could cut that gap to three as it faces Wigan on Monday, but with only four games of the season remaining, United has one hand on the trophy.

Arsenal, nine points adrift, is out of realistic contention.

Emmanuel Adebayor put Arsenal ahead after 48 minutes but Cristiano Ronaldo soon equalised from the penalty spot, before an Owen Hargreaves free-kick secured the win for United.

Controversial goal

Arsenal’s goal was controversial, as Adebayor turned a Robin van Persie cross over the line with a combination of head and hand.

After Michael Carrick’s chipped pass was handled by William Gallas, Ronaldo had to retake his penalty because of encroachment, but both efforts were unerring in finding the bottom corner.

Arsenal almost regained the lead as Wes Brown diverted a Gael Clichy cross towards his own goal, Van der Sar getting down well to push the ball onto the post, but United came slowly to dominate possession. Its winner arrived 20 minutes from time, as Hargreaves flicked a free-kick over the wall and in at Lehmann’s right-hand post — United’s 100th goal in all competitions this season.

Earlier in the day, Liverpool bolstered its bid for fourth with a 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers. Steven Gerrard put his side ahead on the hour, before goals from Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin sealed the win. Roque Santa Cruz’s late volley was only a consolation.

The results: Manchester United 2 (Cristiano Ronaldo 54-penalty, Owen Hargreaves 72) bt Arsenal 1 (Emmanuel Adebayor 48); Liverpool 3 (Steven Gerrard 60, Fernando Torres 82, Andriy Voronin 90) bt Blackburn 1 (Roque Santa Cruz 90). — Agencies

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