Arsenal 1 - 0 Man Utd

Welsh midfielder Ramsey scores through the outstretched legs of Michael Carrick

By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal blew the Premier League title race wide open as leaders Manchester United were deservedly beaten at the Emirates Stadium.

Aaron Ramsey's winner early in the second half condemned United to defeat and leaves them only three points ahead of Chelsea with identical goal difference - and a meeting between the two to come at Old Trafford next Sunday.

Forced to rebuild his promising career after suffering a broken leg, Ramsey made the most of a chance to deputise for injured captain Cesc Fabregas with a goal that will have been met with almost as much joy at Stamford Bridge as it was in front of Arsenal's fans.

Victory was well-earned reward for their superiority against a United side that never looked like repeating the heroics of their Champions League semi-final first leg victory against Schalke 04 on Tuesday in Germany.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger must have thought the fates had conspired against him when they were denied a clear first-half penalty after Nemanja Vidic handled Theo Walcott's cross.

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But the game concluded with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson angry at referee Chris Foy after substitute Michael Owen was hauled down in the area by Gael Clichy in the closing moments, only to have his appeals ignored.

It is a win that has probably come too late to revive Arsenal's own title aspirations, but one which gives Chelsea real hope that they can retain their crown if they can beat United next week.

Ferguson cut a frustrated figure throughout, a mood matched by his players as they rarely got to grips with an Arsenal side they have enjoyed so much success against in the recent past.

Arsenal lost Fabregas to a thigh injury sustained in training on Saturday - but his absence did not stop the Gunners dominating a first half that concluded with them nursing an acute sense of injustice.

Vidic, a central figure in every sense, was fortunate not to be punished for an uncharacteristic error after only three minutes.

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In attempting to clear, he only succeeded in finding Jack Wilshere and was relieved to see the teenager pull his effort inches wide.

And Walcott could not keep a close-range shot under control as he stretched to meet Clichy's cross, sending it well over the top of Edwin van der Sar's crossbar.

United have had joy against Arsenal in the past by lying deep before striking with devastating effect on the counter attack.

And they almost delivered a sucker punch in the face of Arsenal's early superiority when Fabio da Silva burst into the area unmarked, but was unable to find Javier Hernandez.

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Arsenal, with justification, were furious just after the half-hour when Vidic clearly used his hand to direct Walcott's cross away from the incoming Robin van Persie - an offence missed by the officials.

England striker Wayne Rooney's main contribution had been a yellow card for fouling England team-mate Wilshere just before the interval.

He did show his enduring quality with a curling 25-yard free-kick after 48 minutes, but the previously unemployed Wojciech Szczesny was equal to the task with a diving save.

Arsenal finally got the goal they had merited after 56 minutes, Ramsey sliding a low finish into the corner of the net from Van Persie's incisive cut-back.

United, thoroughly out of sorts, replaced Anderson with Antonio Valencia moments before the goal.

They did muster a response, however, when Vidic rose highest from a corner to head just wide.

And in a belated show of urgency by United, Szczesny was then forced to save well from Nani after Rooney had driven deep into the Arsenal half in a bid to lift his team-mates from their slumbers.

With three minutes left Ferguson and United's players were reduced to a fury as Owen was brought down from behind by Clichy as he raced into the area.

Referee Foy, much to Ferguson's obvious disgust, was unimpressed.

It was Arsenal's last anxious moment before closing out a win that leaves the title potentially on the line when United confront champions Chelsea, who narrowly beat Tottenham 2-1 on Saturday.

Live text and stats

Sunday, 1 May 2011

Barclays Premier League

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Arsenal	1-0	Man Utd	FT
(HT 0-0)
Ramsey 56

Hide team line-ups and match stats

Arsenal

• 53 Szczesny
• 03 Sagna
• 06 Koscielny
• 20 Djourou (Squillaci 69)
• 22 Clichy
• 08 Nasri (Arshavin 46)
• 14 Walcott (Eboue 78)
• 16 Ramseyyellow card
• 17 A Songyellow card
• 19 Wilshere
• 10 Van Persie

Substitutes

• 13 Lehmann,
• 18 Squillaci,
• 27 Eboue,
• 28 Gibbs,
• 23 Arshavin,
• 29 Chamakh,
• 52 Bendtner

Man Utd

• 01 Van der Sar
• 03 Evra
• 05 Ferdinand
• 15 Vidic
• 20 Fabio Da Silvayellow card
• 08 Anderson (Valencia 55)
• 13 Park Ji-Sungyellow card
• 16 Carrick (Owen 85)
• 17 Nani
• 10 Rooneyyellow card
• 14 Hernandez (Berbatov 74)

Substitutes

• 29 Kuszczak,
• 12 Smalling,
• 21 Rafael,
• 22 O'Shea,
• 25 Valencia,
• 07 Owen,
• 09 Berbatov

Ref: FoyAtt: 60,107

ARSENAL

MAN UTD

Possession

• Arsenal46%
• Man Utd54%

Attempts on target

• Arsenal2
• Man Utd7

Attempts off target

• Arsenal7
• Man Utd4

Corners

• Arsenal3
• Man Utd6

Fouls

• Arsenal15
• Man Utd7

Show latest live text only

• Final Result
• Full Time
• 90:00+4:20The referee blows his whistle to end the game.
• 90:00+3:09Luis Nani has a direct shot on goal from the free kick, Aaron Ramsey gets a block in.
• 90:00+3:09 BookingThe referee cautions Aaron Ramsey for unsporting behaviour.
• 90:00+2:58Aaron Ramsey challenges Wayne Rooney unfairly and gives away a free kick.
• 89:44Antonio Valencia crosses the ball, comfortable save by Wojciech Szczesny.
• 88:43Free kick awarded for a foul by Andrey Arshavin on Ji-Sung Park. Free kick taken by Rio Ferdinand.
• 85:38Andrey Arshavin delivers the ball, Patrice Evra manages to make a clearance.
• 84:09 SubstitutionMichael Owen comes on in place of Michael Carrick.
• 82:35Fabio Da Silva challenges Andrey Arshavin unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Robin van Persie, save made by Edwin Van der Sar.
• 81:52The ball is swung over by Robin van Persie.
• 77:29 SubstitutionEmmanuel Eboue replaces Theo Walcott.
• 77:11Shot from close range by Robin van Persie misses to the left of the target.
• 76:29Luis Nani takes a shot. Wojciech Szczesny makes a fantastic save.
• 75:45 BookingThe referee books Fabio Da Silva for unsporting behaviour.
• 75:34Fabio Da Silva gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jack Wilshere. Wojciech Szczesny takes the free kick.
• 75:19Antonio Valencia sends in a cross, blocked by Laurent Koscielny.
• 73:55Handball decision goes against Aaron Ramsey. Shot comes in from Wayne Rooney from the free kick, save by Wojciech Szczesny.
• 72:50A cross is delivered by Luis Nani, Laurent Koscielny manages to make a clearance.
• 72:50 SubstitutionDimitar Berbatov on for Javier Hernandez.
• 72:50Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ji-Sung Park by Aaron Ramsey.
• 72:22Centre by Antonio Valencia.
• 70:08Wayne Rooney is caught offside. Wojciech Szczesny takes the indirect free kick.
• 69:34Robin van Persie gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Rio Ferdinand. Direct free kick taken by Rio Ferdinand.
• 69:07Andrey Arshavin challenges Antonio Valencia unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Michael Carrick.
• 68:01 SubstitutionSebastien Squillaci replaces Johan Djourou.
• 66:17Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Luis Nani.
• 65:07Aaron Ramsey takes the free kick.
• 65:07 BookingJi-Sung Park goes into the referee's book.
• 65:00Bacary Sagna fouled by Ji-Sung Park, the ref awards a free kick.
• 62:01The free kick is delivered right-footed by Luis Nani from left channel, clearance made by Laurent Koscielny.
• 62:01 BookingAlex Song goes into the book.
• 61:34Luis Nani fouled by Alex Song, the ref awards a free kick.
• Correction - 60:01Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Luis Nani, Nemanja Vidic produces a headed effort from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
• 60:01Corner taken right-footed by Luis Nani from the left by-line, Header from close in by Nemanja Vidic misses to the left of the goal.
• 59:31Luis Nani decides to take a short corner.
• 57:31Free kick awarded for a foul by Antonio Valencia on Jack Wilshere. Wojciech Szczesny takes the direct free kick.
• 55:46Robin van Persie provided the assist for the goal.
• 55:46 GOAL - Aaron RamseyArsenal 1 - 0 Man UtdAaron Ramsey fires in a goal from the edge of the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Arsenal 1-0 Man Utd.
• 55:44The ball is crossed by Robin van Persie,
• 54:57 SubstitutionAntonio Valencia joins the action as a substitute, replacing Oliveira Anderson.
• 53:57Alex Song challenges Michael Carrick unfairly and gives away a free kick. Luis Nani shoots direct from the free kick.
• 53:39Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ji-Sung Park by Jack Wilshere. Wayne Rooney takes the direct free kick.
• 52:52Centre by Luis Nani, save made by Wojciech Szczesny.
• 51:49Bacary Sagna has shot on goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
• 50:09Corner taken short by Oliveira Anderson.
• 49:53The ball is sent over by Bacary Sagna, clearance by Rio Ferdinand.
• 49:08Luis Nani is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick taken by Gael Clichy.
• 48:40Effort from inside the six-yard box by Patrice Evra goes wide left of the target.
• 47:21Alex Song concedes a free kick for a foul on Ji-Sung Park. Shot comes in from Wayne Rooney from the free kick, save by Wojciech Szczesny.
• 45:01The match restarts for the second half.
• 45:01 SubstitutionSamir Nasri goes off and Andrey Arshavin comes on.
• Half Time
• 45:00+1:36The match has reached half-time.
• 44:54Unfair challenge on Luis Nani by Gael Clichy results in a free kick. Luis Nani crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, Robin van Persie manages to make a clearance.
• 44:17The ball is swung over by Theo Walcott, save made by Edwin Van der Sar.
• Correction - 42:58Oliveira Anderson takes a shot. Save by Wojciech Szczesny.
• 42:58Oliveira Anderson takes a shot. Comfortable save by Wojciech Szczesny.
• 41:15Wayne Rooney crosses the ball.
• 40:31A cross is delivered by Bacary Sagna, clearance made by Rio Ferdinand.
• 39:24Direct free kick taken by Gael Clichy.
• 39:24 BookingWayne Rooney receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
• 39:13Wayne Rooney concedes a free kick for a foul on Jack Wilshere.
• 38:18Corner taken right-footed by Luis Nani to the near post, clearance made by Laurent Koscielny.
• 38:04Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Johan Djourou gets a block in.
• 35:45Aaron Ramsey has an effort at goal from outside the penalty area which goes wide right of the goal.
• 34:57Theo Walcott fouled by Oliveira Anderson, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jack Wilshere.
• 32:39The ball is crossed by Samir Nasri.
• 32:01Corner taken by Samir Nasri from the left by-line.
• 31:39Theo Walcott sends in a cross.
• 30:42Javier Hernandez is ruled offside. Wojciech Szczesny takes the free kick.
• Correction - 29:40Jack Wilshere gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michael Carrick. Rio Ferdinand takes the direct free kick.
• 29:40Unfair challenge on Michael Carrick by Jack Wilshere results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Rio Ferdinand.
• 28:02Handball by Wayne Rooney. Direct free kick taken by Johan Djourou.
• 27:12Javier Hernandez fouled by Laurent Koscielny, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Fabio Da Silva.
• 23:47The ball is crossed by Bacary Sagna, clearance made by Rio Ferdinand.
• 20:35Ji-Sung Park takes a shot. Blocked by Aaron Ramsey.
• 20:05Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Oliveira Anderson played to the near post, Robin van Persie manages to make a clearance.
• 18:53Foul by Alex Song on Wayne Rooney, free kick awarded. Nemanja Vidic takes the direct free kick.
• 15:49The referee blows for offside against Samir Nasri. Edwin Van der Sar takes the free kick.
• 14:22Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Robin van Persie played to the near post, clearance by Patrice Evra.
• 14:10Effort from deep inside the area by Jack Wilshere misses to the right of the goal.
• 10:18Javier Hernandez is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Bacary Sagna.
• 9:20Robin van Persie decides to take a short corner.
• 8:14Javier Hernandez is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.
• 7:33Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Laurent Koscielny by Luis Nani. Samir Nasri takes the direct free kick.
• 7:01Close range shot by Theo Walcott goes over the bar.
• 6:25Robin van Persie produces a header from inside the area that goes over the crossbar.
• 4:41Luis Nani produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.
• 4:04Free kick awarded for a foul by Aaron Ramsey on Oliveira Anderson. Oliveira Anderson restarts play with the free kick.
• 2:52Effort from deep inside the area by Jack Wilshere misses to the right of the target.
• 1:43The referee blows for offside against Robin van Persie. Edwin Van der Sar takes the indirect free kick.
• 0:33Free kick awarded for a foul by Gael Clichy on Luis Nani. Direct free kick taken by Nemanja Vidic.
• 0:00The game begins.