Ferguson Dread Gunners
TITLE-CHASING Manchester City moved up to second place in the Barclays Premier League with a 3-1 victory at West Ham.
City -- without suspended former Hammers frontman Carlos Tevez -- went ahead on the half-hour mark when Yaya Toure slammed the ball past Robert Green.
Toure then created the second in the 73rd minute, cutting in from the left and firing a shot against the post that rebounded in off the back of Green. Substitute Adam Johnson netted a third with nine minutes to go before James Tomkins’ late consolation for the hosts.
Roberto Mancini’s team are now level on points at the top with leaders Arsenal having played a game more, while West Ham remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Blackpool’s fine form continued as DJ Campbell’s strike three minutes into the second half earned them a 1-0 win at Stoke.
After Luke Varney and Charlie Adam linked up, Campbell was on hand at the back post to complete the move with a deft finish and the Tangerines have now been beaten only once in seven matches.
Aston Villa eased some of the pressure on their manager Gerard Houllier by claiming a 2-1 victory in the midlands derby with West Brom.
The Frenchman had overseen just one victory in 10 league games going into the contest at Villa Park and his side almost went behind in the first half when Somen Tchoyi’s effort hit the crossbar.
Stewart Downing scored soon after, though, and Emile Heskey made it 2-0 in the 80th minute with a stooping header.
Paul Scharner pulled one back for the Baggies with a minute of normal time remaining but the hosts held on to move four points clear of the relegation zone.
Everton remain two points clear of the bottom three after they were held to a goalless draw at Goodison Park by Wigan.
Despite dominating for the majority of the game, the Toffees failed to make a breakthrough, Tim Cahill coming closest with a second-half header which came back off a post.
The result means Wigan stay 18th, still only separated by goal difference from 17th-placed Fulham, who also drew 0-0. The Cottagers played out a stalemate at home against Sunderland, whose defensive problems increased with the loss of Anton Ferdinand early on due to injury.
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has labelled Arsenal a more aggressive side than they were last year.
The Manchester United manager is preparing for another showdown with Arsene Wenger’s men at Old Trafford tomorrow night knowing a place at the top of the Barclays Premier League is the prize for the winner.
It promises to be a fascinating duel, not least because neither side has been on top form over a consistent period this term despite securing the top two places.
Arsenal have lost three times on home soil while United have been held to seven draws in an unbeaten 15-match start to the campaign.
Yet, this game should suit both sides as Ferguson’s team have reserved their best performances for Old Trafford, while Arsenal head north on the back of five away wins on the trot, a record which, according to the United boss, has been achieved by mixing some steel to the finesse Wenger’s teams are so renowned for.
The United manager still sees the same passing style. It is just that Wenger is trying to incorporate a more robust approach, as they used to do when Tony Adams was in his pomp.
“I think they’ll still try to play the attractive football Arsene believes in, but there’s definitely been a slight change” Ferguson told.
City -- without suspended former Hammers frontman Carlos Tevez -- went ahead on the half-hour mark when Yaya Toure slammed the ball past Robert Green.
Toure then created the second in the 73rd minute, cutting in from the left and firing a shot against the post that rebounded in off the back of Green. Substitute Adam Johnson netted a third with nine minutes to go before James Tomkins’ late consolation for the hosts.
Roberto Mancini’s team are now level on points at the top with leaders Arsenal having played a game more, while West Ham remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Blackpool’s fine form continued as DJ Campbell’s strike three minutes into the second half earned them a 1-0 win at Stoke.
After Luke Varney and Charlie Adam linked up, Campbell was on hand at the back post to complete the move with a deft finish and the Tangerines have now been beaten only once in seven matches.
Aston Villa eased some of the pressure on their manager Gerard Houllier by claiming a 2-1 victory in the midlands derby with West Brom.
The Frenchman had overseen just one victory in 10 league games going into the contest at Villa Park and his side almost went behind in the first half when Somen Tchoyi’s effort hit the crossbar.
Stewart Downing scored soon after, though, and Emile Heskey made it 2-0 in the 80th minute with a stooping header.
Paul Scharner pulled one back for the Baggies with a minute of normal time remaining but the hosts held on to move four points clear of the relegation zone.
Everton remain two points clear of the bottom three after they were held to a goalless draw at Goodison Park by Wigan.
Despite dominating for the majority of the game, the Toffees failed to make a breakthrough, Tim Cahill coming closest with a second-half header which came back off a post.
The result means Wigan stay 18th, still only separated by goal difference from 17th-placed Fulham, who also drew 0-0. The Cottagers played out a stalemate at home against Sunderland, whose defensive problems increased with the loss of Anton Ferdinand early on due to injury.
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has labelled Arsenal a more aggressive side than they were last year.
The Manchester United manager is preparing for another showdown with Arsene Wenger’s men at Old Trafford tomorrow night knowing a place at the top of the Barclays Premier League is the prize for the winner.
It promises to be a fascinating duel, not least because neither side has been on top form over a consistent period this term despite securing the top two places.
Arsenal have lost three times on home soil while United have been held to seven draws in an unbeaten 15-match start to the campaign.
Yet, this game should suit both sides as Ferguson’s team have reserved their best performances for Old Trafford, while Arsenal head north on the back of five away wins on the trot, a record which, according to the United boss, has been achieved by mixing some steel to the finesse Wenger’s teams are so renowned for.
The United manager still sees the same passing style. It is just that Wenger is trying to incorporate a more robust approach, as they used to do when Tony Adams was in his pomp.
“I think they’ll still try to play the attractive football Arsene believes in, but there’s definitely been a slight change” Ferguson told.
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