Forever United

Owen Hargreaves scored the perfect free-kick in the 72nd minute to secure a 2-1 win over their closest rival Arsenal at Old trafford. The win extends the lead over Chelsea to 6 points who have a game in hand. Arsenal had to win the encounter at Old Trafford to stay in the fight for the English Premier League. Arsenal’s side showed two significant changes to the defence which conceded four goals at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final. German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann made a surprise return, with Manuel Almunia presumably injured, while Alexandre Song made a rare start at centre-back after Senderos’ poor show against Liverpool.Hargreaves and Ji-sung Park had retained their places in midfield after impressing in midweek against Roma but Carlos Tevez had to settle for a berth on the bench, with Sir Alex Ferguson selecting Wayne Rooney as a lone striker.
The Gunners made a lively start and after Adebayor’s run was halted by Rio Ferdinand on the edge of the area, Cesc Fabregas rifled a venomous shot just over the bar. Wes Brown will not want to see a replay after gifting the ball to Fabregas.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.

The end-to-end pace was stretching the play and Brown fell foul of it when he caught Clichy late and was booked for a foul on the Arsenal left-back. Brown was later on the receiving end when the combative van Persie earned his yellow card.Park missed with a header from Hargreaves’ left-wing cross and Rooney fired a shot narrowly wide of Lehmann’s right-hand post.

The second half opened like the first had finished – with chances at both ends, only this time, they were converted by the two sides’ top scorers. Firstly 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.

Fortunately Ronaldo returned fire for the Reds within six minutes, scoring his 38th goal of the season from the penalty spot. Even the need for a retake - following encroachment by a United player - didn't faze Ronny. He merely blasted the ball past Lehmann for a second time, with the keeper's woe compounded by a yellow card for gamesmanship.

The roar greeting the equaliser was deafening. Sir Alex made a double change in the 55th minute as Tevez and Anderson replaced Park and Scholes. The subs were soon in the thick of the action, notably when Anderson was scythed down by Adebayor who was booked, just before Tevez hit a tremendous effort just past the post. At the other end, Fabregas scooped a shot over the bar.

United could have extremely disappointed had Brown in attempt to clear Clichy's cross scored an own goal but thankfully it struck the post. Earlier Ferdinand could have scored an own goal but for an alert Van Der Saar the threat was taken care of. all the anxious and nervous moments were forgotten 18 minuted from time when Hargreaves scored an absolute master piece, curling a free-kick over the wall and inside the left-hand post, leaving Lehman routed to the spot.

The stadium errupted as the players came together to celebrate a goal that could well decide the title race.The Gunners tried in vain to keep their season alive - substitute striker Nicklas Bendtner had one late header saved by van der Sar while another struck the post - but United were not to be denied three precious points after fighting so hard to claim them.