United Surrender their Title To Arsenal

Last updated : 08 May 2002 By Rob Cooper
Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1

Wiltord 56

Manchester United lost 1-0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford, confirming th Gunners position at the top of the table. There was more bad news as United slipped to third behind Liverpool who defeated Blackburn 4-3 in an epic encounter. Arsenal will be presented with the trophy ahead of their clash with Everton on Saturday.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was surprisingly left on the bench, his place up front was taken by Deigo Forlan. Ruud has been off form lately and was particuarly quiet in last weeks defeat in Leverkusen.

Juan Sebe Veron played on the right, despite rumours that his United career was over. Arsenal are without key duo Tony Adams and Thierry Henry, both are suffering from knee problems. Dennis Bergkamp was only fit enough to sit on the bench.

1 min
: The game kicks off at Old Trafford.
2 min: A deflected Wiltord shot goes out for a corner but United clear.
5 min: Kanu shoots from twenty-five yards but its well wide.
6 min: Scholes is played in by Forlan but his deflected shot is deflected over. From the resulting corner Wes Brown gets up but a defender gets their first and its another corner but its cleared.
8 min: A Phil Neville long throw is headed out for a corner. But Seaman is fouled by Blanc and Arsenal have the free kick.
11 min: Keane catches Vieria in midfield, the Frenchman comes off the field with boot trouble but returns.
Its been a quiet period of play after an exciting opening.
18 min: A powerful backpass from Lauren is just kept in by Seaman and cleared for a United throw.
20 min: A late tackle on Edu from Scholes earns the United number eighteen a yellow card.
Liverpool take the lead against Blackburn at Anfield through Danny Murphy.
23 min
: Phil Neville finds himself in the book now after a late lunge on Wiltord.
26 min: Captain Roy Keane is the third United player to be booked, although somewhat harshly.
Blackburn level the scores at Anfield, a David Dunn goal makes it 1-1
28 min: Barthez is alert to get to Edu's ball ahead of Ashley Cole.
29 min: Silvestre concedes a cheap corner but it is cleared.
30 min: Giggs is felled on the edge of the box by Vieria. With no Beckham Veron takes it but fires straight at Seaman.
Liverpool retake the lead through Nicholas Anelka - 2-1
38 min
: Veron shot is deflected off Cole for a corner after some good play by Forlan. The corner from Giggs is headed out for a United throw.
41 min: United win a free kick thirty-five yards out on the right but Veron's kick is headed away.
42 min: After a sucession of fouls Edu becomes the first Arsenal player to be booked.
43 min: Keane shoots from thirty yards but straight at Seaman.
44 min: Arsenal win a corner during a rare attack.
45 min: The crowd is 67,580.
Two minutes of time added on.
Half time. Its been a good half from United but Arsenal will be pleased, they are just forty-five minutes away from winning the Premiership. There have been few chances so far.
47 min: Veron gets a half hearted shot away which Seaman is able to save comfortably.
Former United star Andy Cole equalises for Blackburn against Liverpoool - 2-2
48 min
: Wiltord crosses into Edu who drives the ball back across the box but it is deflected out for a corner. Barthez punches clear.
Liverpool retake the lead - 3-2, Sami Hyypia heads in a Danny Murphy Free Kick.
52 min
: A Kanu shot is straight at Barthez.
54 min: Barthez mis places his throw out but a great tackle from Brown keeps Wiltord out and saves Barthez's blushes.
56 min: GOAL! Sylvian Wiltord gives the Gunners the lead. Ljungberg, cup final hero on Saturday nutmeged Laurent Blanc before shooting, Barthez did well to save but Wiltord tucked the ball into the empty net. United need two goals or Arsenal will be champions.
58 min
: Juan Sebe Veron is replaced by Ruud van Nistelrooy as United attempt to get back in the game.
62 min: van Nistelrooy wants a penalty but the referee has none of it.
66 min: Blanc is the fourth United player to be booked.
69 min: Quinton Fortune comes on to replace Forlan. With just a quarter of the game left the title looks to be heading to Highbury.
73 min: Keown chips the ball through but Blanc is there ahead of Wiltord.
74 min: Brown just manages to knock the ball away from Vieria
76 min: Vieira shoots just past the right hand of upright - United look beaten.
Liverpool 3 Blackburn 3 - Matt Jansen equalises for Blackburn. If scores stay as they are United will hold on to second place in the league but the Gunners will be Champions
80 min
: It all looks over for United.
Liverpool 4 Blackburn 3 - Carragher squares the ball for Heskey who puts Liverpool back in the lead. If scores stay as they are United will go second. Hundreds of United fans are deciding to make an early exit
85 min
: Lauren is the sixth player to go into the book.
86 min: Wes Brown is now playing as an attacker, United are desparate.
87 min: Arsenal are playing keep ball now.
90 min: Three minutes to be added.
90 min: Its all over, Arsenal celebrate their championship win. The Gunners have gone a whole season without losing away from home and become the first team to do so since Preston North End did it in 1898. United have lost nine times this season.