Barclay Premier League: Manchester United Vs Arsenal Match Report

Robin van Persie punished his former club once more with the winner as Manchester United came out on top in the battle with Premier League leaders Arsenal at Old Trafford.

United boss David Moyes knew defeat would have left them 11 points adrift in the title race, a gap which might have proved beyond even the reigning champions.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger insisted before the game that Van Persie was still "an Arsenal man" but the Dutch striker showed no hesitation in celebrating the goal that pushed United up to fifth in the table and to within five points of their opponents.

Since leaving the Emirates last year, van Persie has never failed to score against his ex-employers and he made that three games in succession as he bagged the winner for United.

He rose to meet a Wayne Rooney corner on 27 minutes to give David Moyes a much needed win on another amazing weekend, in which Chelsea’s home draw on Saturday was followed within 24 hours by shock defeats for Tottenham and Manchester City. United have now closed to within five points of Arsenal, who suffered their first league defeat since the opening day of the season.

United, in contrast, had a lot of the ball but were unable to turn that into clear-cut opportunities, with Wayne Rooney seeing one long-range attempt saved comfortably by Wojciech Szczesny. Other than that, however, Vermaelen was proving a resolute defender.

It was from a Vermaelen clearance, however, that United broke the deadlock. The Dutchman cleared a Rooney cross from a corner, but from the resultant corner, van Persie ghosted into the space vacated by Aaron Ramsey, looping a header over Kieran Gibbs at the far post and into the net.

Best of the Match:

•Man of the match - Wayne Rooney put in a tireless shift for the home side, causing the Arsenal defence a number of problems. Set up the goal with a lovely delivery from a corner on the left and, although booked in the second half, his battling qualities and tackling were certainly under control.

•Attempt of the match - Rooney created a chance all on his own in the second half, which would have been a fine goal. He took the ball down brilliantly, beat a man but shot just wide of the target.

•Moment of the match - With just a couple of minutes to go, Bacary Sagna found some space on the right and put over a delicious cross but neither Nicklas Bendtner nor Olivier Giroud could get just the slightest touch that was needed to turn the ball home.

•Talking point - Man United find themselves above Man City in the table following a remarkable Super Sunday. Can the champions now kick on and mount a serious defence of their title?

Top of the Match: Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie

Flop of the Match: Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil