Match Report: Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City

For the other Premier League clash, we have Manchester City travelling to the Emirates to take on North London rivals Arsenal. City have not won at the Gunners’ home ground since 1975. Thus, they look to end this barren run and gain some ground against Premier League leaders and dreaded rivals, Manchester United. City made a few changes from their previous match with Javi Garcia taking over Yaya Toure’s place, who is on national duty for the African Cup Of Nations. Matia Nastasic preferred over Lescott, Milner taking over the suspended Samir Nasri and Dzeko replacing the injured Aguero. Arsenal made only one change and that is Abou Diaby, returning from injury, in place of the injured Mikel Arteta. City threatened in the opening minutes with Silva’s shot from just outside the penalty area, being blocked by the incoming Vermaelan. The resulting corner, soon built up to a chance for Edin Dzeko who was hauled down by Laurent Koscielny in the penalty area. No one really contested for anything except Pablo Zabaleta who threw his hands up in the air and shouted to the referee for a penalty. But referee Mike Dean flashed a red card at the guilty Frenchman.

Arsenal were down to ten men in ten minutes.

Up stepped the victim of the challenge, Dzeko. To Arsenal’s luck, the Bosnian’s shot was saved by Szczesny and the ball rebounded off the post and back into the Polish keeper’s safe hands. City’s first goal came from a quick free kick which Milner finished off with menace following Tevez’s through ball. The shot flew in with such pace that Szczesny stood no chance at all. Without Koscielny, Arsenal were especially sloppy at the back. Diaby gave the ball away to Silva with his careless pass. The Spaniard then chased to Tevez who blasted his shot straight at Szczesny.

The second goal came not long after Zabaleta stood his ground and won a 50-50 challenge with Kieran Gibbs and passes to Milner who squares the ball to Tevez. The nippy Argentinian slid in and caused the ball to head towards goal. Szczesny saves but Dzeko rebounds it in. Things went from bad to worse for Arsenal with an hour left to play. Joe Hart did have something to do later when Podolski forced a save out of the England . Javi Garcia could have extended the lead until Wilshere leapt to head the ball away from the goal line. Arsene Wenger rung in the changes at half time with Giroud coming on for Podolski and Diaby going off for Aaron Ramsey.

A counter-attack then saw Tevez through on a goal who decided to round Szczesny, but the latter made a brave intervention to keep his team’s hopes alive. It resulted in a rather furious reaction from Mancini who probably suggested that Tevez should have shot first.

Another controversial refereeing decision took place. One of England’s bright young talents, Jack Wilshere became a victim of a seemingly rash challenge from City skipper, Vincent Kompany. The referee abjudged that Kompany came in two-footed. Though, replays showed that he had his left foot on the ground as he slid in. In addition, immediately after the challenge, Wilshere looked up at the ref expecting himself to get sent off and not Kompany. This implied that Wilshere thought Kompany came in cleanly. Nevertheless, Kompany received his marching orders.

Roberto Mancini then made his tactical change, replacing a striker (Tevez) with a centre-back (Joleon Lescott). This proved to work out as an Arsenal attack came in, with Walcott shooting past Hart. But, Lescott made a last-minute clearance to keep the score, 2-0 City.

Arsenal have run out empty-handed here in terms of terms of points and goals. Man City, on the other hand, are still in the race for the title in 2nd position, behind leaders United.

Match Report: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool

Today marks yet another highly-touted rivalry clash between Manchester United and Liverpool F.C. Before this match, held at the Red Devils’ home ground, Liverpool have won 74 of the 186 meetings and Manchester United, having their share of 62 wins with 51 draws between them. Liverpool look to build on that lead as they have Luis Suarez back on form. The Uruguayan having banged in 19 goals in all competition already this 2012/13 season.

However, it turned out to be a lackluster first-half for Liverpool as United relentlessly forged chance after chance. It wasn’t long before the first goal came, and it came in the from none other than, Robin van Persie. A swift United play saw former England under-21 midfielder, Tom Cleverley, pick out Patrice Evra on the left, who whipped in a low cross to van Persie. The Dutchman, the instinctively guided the ball past Pepe Reina to make it 1-0 to the Red Devils. Another glorious chance came from United. This time, it was Ashley Young who was the man behind the move. After receiving the ball from teammate Cleverley, the 27-year-old winger cut in from the right and laid out an inch-perfect pass to van Persie, whose shot sailed over the crossbar. Joe Allen, known for his clever passing, uncharacteristically set up Danny Welbeck, who looks set to score, until Liverpool’s center-half, Daniel Agger slid in to block the shot. It was a close shave for the Kop as United went hacking on. Good work down the right by Young, as he delivered a cross which Allen headed away, onto Cleverley’s path, who came so close to doubling United’s lead as he slammed a left-footed volley just wide of the post. Soon, United’s second came. It was through a van Persie free-kick which Evra got onto it and slightly deflected off Vidic into the goal.

In the 2nd half, Liverpool looked determined to force a comeback as there was a clear contrast in the way the played compared to the 1st. Their rewards were soon reaped. The ever-hardworking Stevie G, stole the ball off Carrick, played a one-two with Sterling and shot straight at De Gea who parries. Sturridge then pounced on the loose ball to reduce the deficit. 2-1.

The home side almost made it game over for their bitter rivals as Kagawa’s first-time curling shot was well diverted away by Pepe Reina. Liverpool tried and tried but couldn’t find the vital equalizer. Sturridge firing at the side netting and Fabio Borini, who came back from injury, volleyed well wide just minutes later. At the closing moments of the game, Suarez scrambled through United’s penalty box as the ball found its way to Sturridge. The former Chelsea man, however, blazed his shot over the goal and into the stands. Since taking over at Liverpool, this is Brendan Rodger’s 1st loss in his 1st game to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, who extend their lead to 10 points at the top of the table.