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Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Thinking back on the whole game, it was like a movie script. The game had already been hyped up beyond belief. For weeks now the managers have been sniping at each other (while Chelsea retains its lead, it has to be said). About a week ago, the police actually started issuing statements to the teams to quiet down.
In the tunnel, before the game even started, the two captains, Keane and Viera, had to be seperated as they were literally screaming at each other. They refused to shake hands before the game started. I'm not making this stuff up.
The game started as it did in October - lots of ugly challenges. Then, suddenly, Arsenal went ahead through a superb piece of physical work by Viera. He held Heinze off while positioning himself to head the ball in from a corner; it was a great use of his strength. Minutes later, and two yellow cards for United players for "over-exuberance", one might say. And then United tied it up through a great lay off from Rooney, and a deflected shot by Giggs.
Things just never stopped happening in this game. Soon after Bergkamp scored with a beautiful low shot, then Rooney almost got sent off for swearing at the linesman. Half time came, and in my opinion, Arsenal were the better team at that point.
But not in the second half. Ronaldo scored at the 55th minute with a great shot over the keeper, then in the 58th minute from a cross from Giggs. At this point (Man Utd 3, Arsenal 2) it appeared as though things would settle down to Arsenal attacking, Utd defending. But then Silvestre, idiotically, decided to head-butt Ljungberg, so he got sent off. United now down to 10 men. Even more attacking from Arsenal now as they bring in more attacking players.
But then, after a clash between Saha and Sol Campbell, Campbell fell awkwardly, twisting his ankle, and had to go off. His absence was evident when O'Shea got through to beautifully score United's fourth goal. There was another yellow card, but that about finished the game.
Anyways, what a pace there was to it all, and what passion from all the players involved. Before one could digest what happened, something else came on to push it out of the way. I don't think I'll see another game like in quite some time.
In the tunnel, before the game even started, the two captains, Keane and Viera, had to be seperated as they were literally screaming at each other. They refused to shake hands before the game started. I'm not making this stuff up.
The game started as it did in October - lots of ugly challenges. Then, suddenly, Arsenal went ahead through a superb piece of physical work by Viera. He held Heinze off while positioning himself to head the ball in from a corner; it was a great use of his strength. Minutes later, and two yellow cards for United players for "over-exuberance", one might say. And then United tied it up through a great lay off from Rooney, and a deflected shot by Giggs.
Things just never stopped happening in this game. Soon after Bergkamp scored with a beautiful low shot, then Rooney almost got sent off for swearing at the linesman. Half time came, and in my opinion, Arsenal were the better team at that point.
But not in the second half. Ronaldo scored at the 55th minute with a great shot over the keeper, then in the 58th minute from a cross from Giggs. At this point (Man Utd 3, Arsenal 2) it appeared as though things would settle down to Arsenal attacking, Utd defending. But then Silvestre, idiotically, decided to head-butt Ljungberg, so he got sent off. United now down to 10 men. Even more attacking from Arsenal now as they bring in more attacking players.
But then, after a clash between Saha and Sol Campbell, Campbell fell awkwardly, twisting his ankle, and had to go off. His absence was evident when O'Shea got through to beautifully score United's fourth goal. There was another yellow card, but that about finished the game.
Anyways, what a pace there was to it all, and what passion from all the players involved. Before one could digest what happened, something else came on to push it out of the way. I don't think I'll see another game like in quite some time.
