Ramsey strike reignites title race

Aaron Ramsey
12 April 2012

Arsenal blew the Barclays Premier League title race wide open after finally finding the character of champions to beat leaders Manchester United 1-0 at Emirates Stadium.

Aaron Ramsey's second-half goal - his first since January 2010 - saw United's lead remain at just three points from Chelsea, whom they face next week at Old Trafford.

Arsenal may have seen their own title ambitions extinguished following a run of draws, but at least gave their frustrated fans renewed hope next season might just be different.

The Gunners started brightly, with Theo Walcott causing problems down the right, and Jack Wilshere dragged an early chance wide from 15 yards after a poor clearance by United skipper Nemanja Vidic.

After a spell of pressure from the home side, United then cut Arsenal apart on the break. Fabio burst down the right and into the area before pulling the ball back to Javier Hernandez, with Bacary Sagna making a last-gasp block just as the Mexican shaped to shoot.

Ramsey had only been in the team because of a thigh injury to captain Cesc Fabregas, but his well-taken strike was just reward for a high-tempo performance and meant the officials' miss of a penalty for handball by Vidic in the first half did not eventually prove decisive.

Vidic knocked Walcott's cross from the right behind with his hand, taking it off the head of Robin van Persie. However, neither the referee or nearside assistant Andy Garratt spotted it - leaving the Dutch forward fuming.

United were awarded a free-kick some 22 yards out when Park Ji-sung was bundled over by Alex Song. Wayne Rooney struck his effort over the wall, but Wojciech Szczesny dived to his right to make a good two-handed save.

Arsenal swept into the lead on 56 minutes. Ramsey fed van Persie, who charged down the right and into the area before cutting the ball back to the penalty spot, where the Welshman arrived on cue to dispatch a cool finish low into the far corner for a first Arsenal goal in over a year.

With five minutes left, United sent on Michael Owen and the former England striker was screaming for a penalty when he looked to have been tripped by Gael Clichy, but again the officials were unmoved.

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