Samir Nasri struck twice as an impressive Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-1 at the Emirates in the game of the season.

Samir Nasri scored the first goal with a shot through a crowded United area which deflected off the legs of Gary Neville leaving Van der Sar stranded. He then struck his and Arsenal’s second two minutes into the second half after a good passing move which he finished with a glorious shot into the bottom corner. United substitute Rafael struck a brilliant volley late on to give the red devils hope but Arsenal held on take the three points.

In the first minute a back pass from former United defender Mikael Silvestre was picked up by Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia giving United an early freekick. Anderson’s strike was blocked and Michael Carrick blasted the follow up wide of the post. Dimitar Berbatov had the ball in the Arsenal net after 9 minutes when Almunia parried a low Wayne Rooney strike but it was ruled out for offside by referee Howard Webb.

Two minutes later Arsenal had their first chance when Gael Clichy’s cross found an unmarked Nicklas Bendtner in the United area but he could only head over Edwin Van der Sar’s goal. Soon after another cross, this time from Frenchman Nasri was missed at the back post. Arsenal were beginning to dominate the early stages. Abou Diaby had a shot blocked in the United area moments later.

United were always dangerous on the break. Wayne Rooney should have given United the lead but blasted over from an excellent pass from Cristiano Ronaldo after 17 minutes in a move which saw some great passing form Anderson and Berbatov. United were made to pay as Arsenal took the lead after 22 minutes from Nasri. He blasted through the United defence with the ball deflecting off the legs of Neville leaving Van der Sar rooted to the spot as the ball sailed into the back of the net.

In an exciting end to end game Cesc Fabregas tried his luck form outside the area after a swift Arsenal counter attack, but his shot was deflected wide. United were up the other end five minutes later with Ji Sung Park denied this time from a good Almunia save down to his right. As half time approached United were continuing to pressure the Gunners defence but Arsenal held on to go in 1-0 up at the break.

Two minutes after the break Nasri struck again after a brilliant pass from Fabregas found him unmarked after a wonderful passing move from Arsenal. He dragged the shot across Van der Sar and into the far corner to put Arsenal 2-0 up. Ronaldo missed a great opportunity to immediately pull United back into the game, but he volleyed wide from close range a minute later. United’s front line were looking increasingly frustrated and limited to shots from outside the Arsenal box.

Rooney did manage to penetrate the Arsenal defence but his header was easily saved down low form Almunia on the hour. United needed a change to try to quash the relentless Arsenal pressure. Rafael replaced veteran Neville at right back after a rather unimpressive performance form the United captain. But United’s frustration continued when Carrick was harshly booked when he challenged Almunia to a loose ball. The Spaniard needed treatment for the collision. Ryan Giggs was introduced at the expense of Anderson a few minutes later.

As United continued to press for a way back into the game they were leaving themselves open to the counter attack. Nasri was denied a penalty on 73rd minute when he was pulled down by Nemanja Vidic only for Webb to wave away the appeals. Rooney then came off for Carlos Tevez with the last throw of the dice for Ferguson as Almunia was replaced by Likasz Fabianski following his earlier collision. The breathless pace continued as Bendtner had a shot saved just before Emanuel Adebayor came on for Arsenal.

Rafeal scored late on with a fantastic volley from the edge of the area to test the Arsenal nerves as the assistant signalled 6 additional minutes. But it was too little too late for United as Arsenal held on to take the points in a thrilling encounter.

This was far and away the best game of the season so far and a wonderful advertisement for the Premier League. It seems Arsene Wenger has answered the critics as well as putting the Gunners back into the title race.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Dimitar Berbatov produced a moment of magic and a smiling Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace as United beat West Ham 2-0 at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo scored his and United’s first after 15 minutes when he converted an inch perfect cross from fellow Portuguese international Luis Nani. He then added a second from 2 yards after a mesmerizing piece of skill by Berbatov on the goal line allowing him to cross for Ronaldo to slide into an empty net.

United were dominant from the first whistle with Berbatov having the first opening of the game in the second minute, but he could only blast over from a Nani pull-back. Three minutes later Nani sent a powerful shot flashing just wide of Robert Green’s far post.

United were continuing to cause problems down the left hand side and it wasn’t long before they were rewarded. Ronaldo found the net after 14 minutes when he was picked out by a pin-point cross from Nani. The world player of the year even managed a smile to the delight the United fans.

United looked hungry and continued to press down the left hand side. Two minutes later Nani dummied past Behrami but again his shot went inches wide of the far post. On the half hour mark Berbatov produced an amazing piece of skill with an exquisite flick and cross for Ronaldo to slide in from 2 yards.

West Ham brought on Luis Boa Morte for Behrami just before half time. A minute later Tevez got in between the West Ham defence only to header straight at Green. West Ham made their second change before the start of the second half when Etherington was replaced by Welsh teenager Jack Collison.

United’s dominance continued into the second half with Ronaldo shooting straight at Green from distance seven minutes after the restart. He then producing a cheeky flick past a West Ham defender to cross for Tevez. Tevez matched Ronaldo’s skill with a fantastic turn in the box only for his shot to be blocked and go out for a corner.

West Ham managed a rare attempt on goal on the hour mark when Bellamy sent a free kick over Kuszczak’s crossbar from outside the area. They then had a penalty claim waved away two minutes later as Collison was brought down in the area. He was booked for fouling Patrice Evra to add to the annoyance of the travelling fans.

After 67 minutes West Ham replaced Lee Bowyer with teenager Freddie Sears as United made a double change. Darren Fletcher came off for Michael Carrick whilst Nani was replaced by Wayne Rooney who didn’t waste any time getting into the game. His delicate chip was tipped over by Green two minutes later.

West Ham then fashioned their best chance of the game when Boa Morte had a shot saved by Kuszczak in the United area. Rooney then tried his luck from outside the area only to be denied once more by Green with 15 minutes to go. United then made their last change with veteran Gary Neville replacing youngster Rafael for the final ten minutes.

Ronaldo was denied his hat-trick in the last two minutes when Evra cut a cross back but he could only shoot straight at Green. In the end it was a comfortable win for United as they moved up to sixth in the table.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Manchester United produced a sensational second half display to beat West Bromwich Albion 4-0 at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney made it three goals in four days for club and country when he got the first goal with a clinical finish early in the second half. He then turned provider when his pass set up Cristiano Ronaldo to put United two up. Dimitar Berbatov also got his first Premier League goal for United when he poked United into a 3-0 lead two minutes later. Nani then added a fourth in stoppage time to complete the win.

With Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all winning earlier in the afternoon the pressure was on United to stay in touch at the top of the table.

United had the bulk of the early possession in front of the home fans without really threatening the West Brom defence. The best of the early chances fell to Ronaldo but he could not apply the finish to a flowing United attack after four minutes. His tame shot was easily saved by West Brom keeper Scott Carson

Wayne Rooney was looking lively and managed to find the back of the net after 23 minutes, only to have his goal ruled out by referee Mark Halsey for a foul on a West Brom defender. Five minutes later Rooney met a Ryan Giggs corner with a powerful header which was saved by Carson.

United continued to put pressure on the stubborn West Brom defence. They had a hand-ball appeal waved away by Halsey five minutes before the break after the ball appeared to strike the arm of Baggies defender Paul Robinson. Despite the huge amount of possession United were unable to make the breakthrough and West Brom’s resilience was rewarded with a 0-0 half time scoreline.

United’s dominance continued into the second half. Rooney was at the centre of the action once again. His thunderous drive from the edge of the area was brilliantly saved by Carson after 50 minutes. Four minutes later it was Berbatov’s turn to be denied by Carson.

The United fans could sense a goal and they didn’t have to wait long as Rooney finally made the breakthrough three minutes later. He ran through with composure to put United ahead with a neat finish into the bottom corner of Carson’s goal.

Rooney then turned supplier as his pass found Ronaldo unmarked. Ronaldo made it look easy as he guided the ball past Carson and into the centre of the goal. Two minutes later Barbatov scored his first Premier League goal for United when he poked in from six yards after the West Brom defence failed to deal with a cross. With the result no longer in doubt substitute Nani added a fourth in stoppage time after a quick United counter attack to round off a fantastic second half display from United. They now move up to fourth in the table.

Based on this performance can United challenge Chelsea and Liverpool for the title? What do you think? Please use the comments box to send us your thoughts.

Chris also writes on the Footie Blog.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

European Cup after World Cup have seen a snowballing of disappointment for the English football masses. Spain winning Euro 2008 has pushed our reputation as underachievers further down the lav.

And like such great philosophical musings as; Why are we here? Is there a god? Will Robbie Savage ever get a haircut?, we are left with the greatest question of all; With all the money, loyal fans, young talents….

Why can’t we win anything?

Like many who saw our demise at the hands of Croatia, there was almost a mild sense of relief by the fact that we had escaped the usual blind optimism forthcoming whenever we do manage to qualify for a major tournament. For the first time since the notorious turnip-ridden back pages of 94, we were able to enjoy the beautiful game with fingernails intact.

But again WHY?

Some blame player egos, foreign takeovers, the need for immediate financial returns because of high wages and signing fees….

Are there too many foreigners in the Premier League? Is it stopping the young talents emerging? Would we benefit from a foreign player restriction rule?

Michel Platini recently stoked the fire by saying Manchester United and Chelsea had reached the Champions League final on the ‘never, never’ regarding their success based on debts. If this is the truth then what are some of the latest solutions?

Platini called for Champions League football not to include the buy now pay later vein of clubs, but where would that leave us?

Who wants to watch the greatest club football competition without the greatest football clubs?

Should there be caps on player wages and values?

Ronaldinho’s alleged offer of £200,000 a week from Manchester City is more than some people earn in a decade. The price of players has also rocketed over the last 10 years.

Compare Alan Shearer’s £15m transfer to Newcastle in the summer of 1996 with the recent prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo joining Manchester City for a speculated £135m.To buy the current cream of the crop, it’s now necessary to have an owner with pockets of Gran Canyon depths and with suitably long arms to reach the bottoms.

There seems to be little choice but to submit to foreign ownership with the ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ philosophy.

It seems that a football club has become the billionaires pin badge in the 21st century.

Blatter recently suggested restricting these takeovers and keeping club ownership local. In this way prospective buyers would have to prove that they have local connections and therefore, it is hoped, more motivation for the football rather than just the business side of the sport.

But what is this doing to the game as a sport?

In the business world there are monopoly commissions and the like to maintain healthy competition.
Would something similar benefit the game both domestically and internationally?

Add to the argument the current state of the global financial markets and one can only conclude that the gap between the footballing rich and poor is only set to widen and that the national team will remain quarter-final specialists.

As it stands, like a dog with rabies, the circle seems to be growing ever more vicious. Best brace ourselves for another 42 years of hurt.

This article is a submission for the Soccerlens 2008 Writing Competition; to participate, please read the details here. The competition is sponsored by Subside Sports (premier online store for football shirts) and Icons (official signed football jerseys).

From Soccerlens.com - Football News