Man United 1 Arsenal 0: Van Persie header sinks breakaway Gunners

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie's soaring first-half header secured a 1-0 win over his old club Arsenal on Sunday that pricked the visitors' bubble and thrust the champions back into the Premier League title race.

The Old Trafford defeat checked Arsenal's breakaway and left them with 25 points from 11 matches, two clear of Liverpool who thrashed Fulham 4-0 on Saturday, with United moving up to fifth place on 20.

Manchester City suffered a stunning 1-0 setback at struggling Sunderland, who had taken just four points from their 10 previous games, and dropped to eighth on 19 points.

Ambitious Tottenham Hotspur also hit an unexpected roadblock in losing 1-0 to Newcastle United at White Hart Lane, with visiting goalkeeper Tim Krul making a stunning 14 saves to keep a clean sheet.

Arsenal's Old Trafford trip was a litmus test for both sides, with the North Londoners arriving as the form team eager to end years of hurt at United and charge 11 points clear of old rivals under new management.

Alex Ferguson may have been watching from the directors' box rather than shouting on the bench but David Moyes' side ensured the outcome remained depressingly familiar for the Gunners, who have now won only one of their last 10 league games against United.

"This was a big result for us today. Arsenal have been in terrific form this season," said Moyes after his biggest success so far at United.

AWAY DEFEAT

It was Arsenal's first away defeat since March after a run of 15 games unbeaten in all competitions while United showed they were picking up pace after a shaky start to the new era under Moyes.

Former Arsenal favourite Van Persie bagged his seventh league goal of the season when the Dutchman rose to deftly head home a Wayne Rooney corner at the far post in the 27th minute.

He celebrated the goal with abandon, sparing the visiting fans no agonies by racing away in delight and pumping the air with a clenched fist.

Arsenal failed to live up to expectations, creating few chances on a strangely muted evening for their record signing, Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil, and could even have found themselves 2-0 behind after an hour when Rooney shot just wide.

The visitors were without their defensive rock Per Mertesacker, sidelined before the start with a stomach virus that also affected three other Arsenal players.

United had to replace Nemanja Vidic at halftime when the central defender suffered a head injury.

"He's gone to hospital," said Moyes. "It's a terrible clash, it's an accident but hopefully he'll be OK."

SUNDERLAND SHOCK

On a day of surprises elsewhere, Swansea City fought back from 2-0 down at home to Stoke to go 3-2 ahead but drew 3-3 after Charlie Adam's stoppage time penalty for the visitors.

Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony scored twice in the second half for Swansea.

Gus Poyet's struggling Sunderland pulled off an electrifying 1-0 win over big-spending Manchester City at the Stadium of Light to give their supporters hope of better times ahead.

Second from bottom, Sunderland chalked up a fourth successive 1-0 home win over City thanks to a 21st-minute goal slotted in by Phil Bardsley from the left side of the box.

With Uruguayan manager Poyet pacing around on the touchline as Sunderland faced a late City barrage, the Black Cats held on for their first clean sheet in 15 matches and a stunning win over a side who hammered Norwich City 7-0 last weekend.

"They were outstanding," beamed Poyet, who had defender Wes Brown making his first Premier League start in nearly two years, after his third win in as many home games since replacing sacked Italian Paulo Di Canio.

"We tried to plan the game in three days and tried to convince them it was possible, especially to keep a clean sheet against a top, top team."

HERO KRUL

Krul was the hero at White Hart Lane in what he said was the game of his life.

"I'm delighted, I'm over the moon... this is a highlight of my career," grinned the flying Dutchman who was man of the match after making more saves than any Premier League goalkeeper in a match this season.

"These kind of games don't happen very often. Three points away at Tottenham is a fantastic result."

The focus was on both goalkeepers from the start, with Hugo Lloris left out of the Tottenham squad on medical advice after the French international had been knocked unconscious at Everton last week.

His 42-year-old replacement Brad Friedel had to make a couple of saves early on but was powerless to prevent the livewire Loic Remy firing Newcastle in front after 13 minutes.

The France striker picked up a beautifully-measured pass from Yoan Gouffran to dart around the American keeper and stab home for his seventh league goal of the season.

FULL TIME

United stormed ahead with Robin van Persie breaking the hearts of Arsenal heading in the ball in the 27th minute off a Rooney corner to wobble Arsenal at Old Trrafford on Sunday.

United climbed to the fifth spot on the table displaying exceptional tact and skill with Rooney in blazing form.

"We defended well. We knew we could not faulter today and we knew we had to win," said Rooney after the thrilling game.

"We are looking to stay on top there after this win, added Rooney. Arsenal are still on top with 25 points with Manchester United five points shy from the top spot."

Both teams played to their full potential but Manchester United looked better with the ball with pin point shots on the post.

Arsenal lacked finishing and on more than two occasions missed the mark. Gibbs and Giroud came close to getting their names on the score sheet in the second off in tricky positions in the box but the duo, who are known for scoring in such situations failed to make a impact in this crucial match.

Arsenal had 60 per cent of ball possession but failed to make it count. Arsenal were hit with injuries once again with keeper Szczesny blanking out in the first half after a ugly collision and then Manchester United had their own share with Vidic involved in another collision in the box.

Manchester United worked hard to keep a grip in the second half defending a slender lead against a team like Arsenal who are in great form this season.

"I felt in the first half we were too nervous in the second half we were composed, we were very close to scoring we had the heart in the game," said Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager, after their winning streak since their opening day loss came to a grinding halt.

Former Arsenal captain Robin van Persie's first half header made the difference as Man United closed the gap on the Premier League leaders in the biggest match of the season.

Arsenal lose in the league for the first time since the opening day.

This is Man United's 71st top flight win against Arsenal who head into the international break with a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

"We knew we had to win today at all costs. We couldn't let Arsenal get 11 pts ahead. We're in a great position now," Man United striker Rooney was quoted as telling after the match.

United move up to fifth, five points behind Arsenal.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "We conceded a goal on a set-piece and that made the difference. I felt we were too nervous in the first half."

United manager David Moyes said: "This was a big result for us...The crowd was fantastic today and hopefully they enjoyed a really good result.

Man United 1 (Van Persie 27) Arsenal 0

90+3" Manchester United hold onto their slender lead as the referee blows the final whistle.

A significant win for Manchester United against Arsenal.

90+1" Corner for Arsenal but they fail to make it count as Uniited get back once again wirh Rooney earning a free kick on the edge of the box.

89" Arsenal look desperate to score as three extra minutes are added to regular time.

87" Both teams look desperate to score but Arsenal have a edge as Gibbs makes a move in the danger zone.

85" Van Persie gets a standing ovation as he makes way for Fellaini.

84" Giroud is just wide with a shot on the turn but Arsenal get a corner.

82" Arsenal make another change with Gnabry coming in for Arteta.

80" YELLOW! Wilshere is booked for pushing Evra who heading towards goal.

78" Evergreen Giggs replaces the young Kagawa while Cazorla makes way for Bendtner.

76" Sagna on the offensive and wins a corner taken by Ozil but the sea of Red Devils blocked well as Gibbs attempts a rebound shot.

75" YELLOW! Rooney is booked for a lunging challenge on Ramsey.

73: Gibbs is holding his head after missing a Sagna's superb delivery from the right.

71" Manchester United come back into the attack but Arsenal are quick to read their move with Cazorla on the ball.

69" Arsenal look dangerous with Gibbs and Ramsey attempting to break open the United defence.

68" Arsenal are enjoying their best spell of possession now but are unable to open up the United defence.

66" Sagna moves the ball to Ramsey who rotates the ball with Ozil and Wilshere but they fail to threaten United's defence.

63" Arsenal are back in the thick of action but United's Evra and Jones are rock solid and difficult to get pass their rank.

62" Jack Wilshere on in place of Flamini as Arsenal look for the equaliser.

60" 60" Rooney misses a sitter in front of the box shooting the ball inches off the edge of the far post.

58" Ozil misses the mark off a Sagna pass hitting the side netting much to the dissapointment of the Arsenal fans.

56" Manchester United waste a corner taken by Van Persie with the alert Szczesny collecting the ball safely.

53" Arsenal surge ahead with Ramsey passing the ball to Arteta who taps in the ball to Cazorla but doesn't pose a threat.

51" Evra takes a throw in with Carrick grabbing the ball but Giroud cuts him off.

49" Arsenal cannot find the gap with Giroud and Ramsey making a dash to the post but are cut off by Carrick.

United have never lost a home game in the Premier League which they have led at half time.

48" The Gunners have reloaded and look dangerous with Giroud making a dash towards the post but is brought down by Cleverly at the edge of the box.

47" Vermaelen heads a corner clear before a Rooney chip almost finds Kagawa.

46" Arsenal get the second half under way with United having made a substitution with Cleverly coming on for Vidic.

HALF TIME

Manchester United lead 1-0 as Arsenal move into the tunnel with Wenger looking visibly disturbed with Robin van Persie's header of a Rooney corner making the difference in the first 45 minutes.

Man United 1 (Robin van Persie 27) Arsenal 0

45" Ramsey's cross is punched away to safety by de Gea  and in doing so, his knee has struck Vidic in the head.

44" YELLOW! Flamini is booked for a tackle on Phil Jones made over a minute ago.

43" United are defending solidly their solitary lead with Evans stubbing the ball out of play with Sagna on the ball.

41" YELLOW! Szczesny is floored as Rooney atempts a free kick with Jones jumping and colliding into the keeper.

38" Arteta, Ramsey and Cazorla move the ball around but Manchester United's Kagawa moves in grab the ball.

36" A Giroud head is wide off target after Sagna crosses into the United box.

35" United counter attack with Rooney making a dash with Smalling assisting him in the run. But Arteta reads the ball well to snatch the ball.

33" United look content to fall back as Arsenal plot their moves with Gibbs, Ozil and Ramsey on the attack forcing Gea to punch away a cross from Ozil.

32" Gibbs takes a throw in but Evans puts it out of play for another corner.

30" YELLOW! Sagna is the first player to be booked by Marriner for a nasty challenge on Evra.

28" Arsenal look stunned but get back strongly with Ozil on the ball but Valencia cuts the ball short to Rooney.

27" GOAL! Van Persie heads in a perfect ball off Rooney corner beating Szczesny under the cross bar to score against his former team yet again..

Man United 1 (Robin van Persie 27) Arsenal 0

Van Persie has now scored in the last five Premier League fixtures between Man Utd and Arsenal.

24" Giroud gets a touch and Arteta runs to his assist but Rooney cuts him off and makes a dash to send a cross into the box.

22" Arsenal's attempt is well read by the Red Devils as the ball moves from Gibbs but grabbed again by Evra.

21" Rooney floats a cross from the left but Vermaelen heads it clear.

19" Vermaelen makes a dash to stub off Rooney's threat with a sliding challenge in time from the right wing

15" Carrick and Evra storm ahead but Sagna blocks the ball and a throw in taken by Evra. Manchester United again in possesion of the ball with Rooney making a hasty dash off a Carrick's pass.

13" Arsenal manage to attack with Gibbs dashing forward but Van Persie moves in to grab the ball back from Koscielny and is cautioned by the referee.

11" Evra's cross is easily caught by Szczesny.

10" Manchester United are pressing hard with attempts from the midfield.

9" Wayne Rooney finally gets a shot from 30 yards out but the Szczesny scrambles out to safely collect the ball.

6" Evra pushes on attempting a cross to Smalling but Arsenal's defender blocks the threat and attempts a counter attack with Ozil and Gibbs on the  ball.

4" Manchester United are on the attack with Vidic and Evra along with Van Persie tormenting their rivals

3" Giroud is penalised for a slightly late tackle on Evans.

2" United force the first corner of the match which is whipped in by Van Persie but cleared by the Arsenal defence.

1" United get the biggest game of the season under way.

A minute's silence for Remembrance Sunday, impeccably observed at Old Trafford, is followed by a huge roar.

Early-season pace-setters Arsenal were without Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky due to illness for their Premier League showdown away to Manchester United on Sunday.

Thomas Vermaelen came in at centre-back for Mertesacker, while Mathieu Flamini took Rosicky's place in midfield after recovering from a groin injury.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed that Mikel Arteta and Serge Gnabry had also been affected by illness, but Arteta was fit to start alongside Flamini and Gnabry was named on the bench.

"We had four players that were touched by a sickness bug overnight," Wenger told Sky Sports.

"Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky have had to miss out so Thomas Vermaelen and Mathieu Flamini come in to replace them and we must move players around.

"Mikel Arteta and Serge Gnabry are also sick but are fit enough to be available."

United made four changes to the team held 0-0 by Real Sociedad in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Jonny Evans, Michael Carrick, Phil Jones and former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie coming into the side.

Arsenal can reassert their five-point lead at the top of the table if they win, and move 11 points above United, but the home side will be only five points off the pace if they prevail.

The big news from Old Trafford is that Robin van Persie is playing despite the rumours.

Skipper Vermalean is back for Arsenal.

Mertesacker and Rosicky sent home due to sickness.

Vermaelen and Flamini come in. Jenkinson and Hayden are also in the squad.

LIKELY PLAYING FORMATIONS

Manchester United
4-4-2

Arsenal
4-2-3-1

STARTING XI

Manchester United

De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Jones, Carrick, Kagawa, Rooney, van Persie

Subs: Lindegaard, Giggs, Chicharito, Nani, Cleverley, Fellaini, Januzaj.

Arsenal

Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla, Giroud

Subs: Wilshere, Monreal, Fabianski, WG(IHOM), Jenkinson, Gnabry, Hayden

PREVIEW

Arsenal will look to solidify their claim for the title on Sunday against defending champions Manchester United at Old Trafford and are determined to stay at the top of the table.
 
The Gunners have a five-point lead on the top after 10 games but it's left to be seen who are the genuine contenders for the title.
 
Arsene Wenger's battles with Sir Alex Ferguson have produced some of the Premier League's memorable moments, and the Frenchman now will have a opportunity to test the new United boss for the first time in his 17-year reign after David Moyes took charge at Old Trafford.
 
Arsenal have continued to catch the eye and have had a particularly good week with a victory over Liverpool in the Premier League and an away win against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League.
 
Aaron Ramsey scored in both games to maintain his sensational form but Wenger has continued to play down the hype.
 
Wenger would love to open up an 11-point advantage over the Red Devils.

United have insisted it is far too early to worry about such a deficit, but they will be desperate to trim the gap to five points and striker Wayne Rooney says success against the Gunners would be the perfect springboard to get back to the top.
 
Rooney will be looking to pick up where he left off against Fulham last weekend, when former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie also scored in a 3-1 win away to Fulham.
 
The Dutchman missed a penalty in the midweek UEFA Champions League draw with Real Sociedad, which ended a run of four straight wins in all competitions.

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has been ruled out of the showdown at Old Trafford.
 
Welbeck has been missing with a knee injury and Moyes has confirmed the 22-year-old will not recover in time.
 
Jonny Evans may return after a back problem, whilst Van Persie will almost certainly face his old club despite missing a penalty.
 
Midfielder Mathieu Flamini will look to provide Arsenal with a timely boost after returning to training following a groin injury.
 
Jack Wilshere has also sat out the past couple of games with an ankle problem and is doubtful ahead of the game, with Wenger unlikely to make too many changes following the wins over Liverpool and Dortmund.
 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.