- 1 day ago
The top two meet. Arsenal are four points behind United before kick off.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00United matches in the late 1990s usually had a strong bearing on who would be picking up
00:05the Premiership title come the end of the season. This encounter in November 1997 was
00:11no different, with United in first place prior to the game and Arsenal third. United held
00:17a better record in the Premier League over their North London hosts. Arsenal had only
00:22won one of ten Premiership meetings between the two sides. The Gunners had lost 3-0 at
00:28Derby a few days earlier, and Arsene Wenger made two changes from that side. In came
00:33Gilles Grimondi and Mark Overmars. A lack of goals had been the Gunners' problem. They
00:38fell to score in their previous three Premiership matches. United keeper Peter Schmeichel was
00:44a major obstacle as they looked to end that goal drought. In contrast, Alex Ferguson's
00:49team couldn't stop scoring. They'd netted 13 times in their last two Premier League games.
00:53There was one change from the side that had trounced Sheffield Wednesday 6-1. Ryan Giggs
00:58replaced Ole Gunner Solskjaer. Plenty of experience and tension on the Gunners' bench. Your match
01:04commentator is John Champion.
01:07A Premier League summit meeting at Highbrick. Given the recent history between these two sides,
01:15who on occasion have been more like warring factions, don't dare take your eyes off this one.
01:23Full house of just over 38,000. Every ticket sold a month ago. Martin Bodnam will need to be on
01:31alert for this game.
01:35No free kick this time. And here's Overmars.
01:40There's an attempt by Beckham to bring him down.
01:44Challenger's already flying in.
01:48Setting the probable tone for the next 90 minutes.
01:59Beckham's free kick.
02:01To Philip Neville.
02:07Mickey Buck tangling with Platt and it comes to Scholes.
02:12Third playing first.
02:16Third of the way into the season.
02:20And at the moment a four-point gap between the sides in favour of Manchester United.
02:27His only Premier League defeat so far came last month at Elland Road.
02:36In prime goal scoring form having bagged 13 in the last two league games.
02:42Seven against Barnsley.
02:43Six against Sheffield Wednesday.
02:46But Arsenal.
02:48A different proposition altogether.
02:50And here's Overmars.
02:52Comes to Anelka.
02:54And Anelka has a go and scores!
03:02Eighteen years young.
03:06How many more there may be in the future is a matter for debate.
03:11But that is Nicola Anelka's first goal for Arsenal.
03:16The player spirited away from Paris Saint-Germain.
03:21By the Gunners French manager Arsene Wenger.
03:24Scores a truly memorable goal.
03:28Vindication.
03:34A hybrid choir in rare good voice.
03:40Void by the manner of Anelka's introduction.
03:46Philip Neville.
03:47Certainly a stunner for Manchester United.
03:50Winterburn's header.
03:54Now it's Beckham.
03:57Scholes.
04:00Callister.
04:01Showed too much of it to Ian Wright.
04:03And off goes Anelka.
04:04Who's got such pace.
04:06But not enough power to beat Schmeichel that time.
04:13Glenn Hoddle.
04:14Pushing that Anelka had been born in England.
04:22Back up.
04:24Cole stepped over the ball.
04:27It's with Arsenal.
04:30Long.
04:31Sharing.
04:33Cole.
04:34Two of them combining even though they don't speak.
04:43Alec Book's intent that his two strikers are not on the best of terms off the field because on it
04:48they know precisely what each other is going to do next.
04:56Parler.
04:59Right inside him.
05:04Deflection on the short.
05:05Comes out to Platt.
05:07Anelka.
05:09Not the net.
05:11But the clock end.
05:14Promises to be a busy day for Peter Schmeichel.
05:17Beaten once already.
05:20And constantly in employment.
05:24This time though.
05:26Having made the initial save he wasn't called upon to make a second one.
05:36Liedix.
05:38He's been through all the hullabaloo of games against Manchester United many times before.
05:46Platt.
05:51Winterburn.
05:55Neville's header.
06:02Manchester United's record this season.
06:05Eight wins.
06:05Four draws.
06:06Just one defeat.
06:0929 goals.
06:10Four and only seven against before today.
06:16But they're under the cosh here alright.
06:22Parler to take.
06:25Adams near post.
06:30Comes out to Patrick.
06:31Vieira.
06:33That's another really special goal.
06:38It's another Frenchman.
06:42Arsenal lead 2-0.
06:48That is a cracker from Vieira.
06:50His first of the season.
06:51And he may not beg a better one.
06:56Swerve as much as power defeating Schmeichel.
07:02Pallister.
07:04He's not looked to his normal self.
07:06Gary Pallister today.
07:10Platt's given it away.
07:11Here's Andy Cole.
07:13Plucked out of the air by Seaman.
07:19He's not the only Arsenal man smiling right now.
07:24Anelka.
07:30Henningberg.
07:37The chest of Sheringham to Giggs.
07:40Cole to his right.
07:41Giggs goes alone.
07:49Pallister.
07:53One by Sheringham.
07:55Giggs.
07:57One back by Parler.
08:04Philip Neville.
08:06Scholes.
08:09It's good work by Paul Scholes.
08:14Beckham.
08:15Cole.
08:18Gary Neville.
08:20And Sheringham.
08:21Paul's one back for Manchester United.
08:28Having only recently departed Tottenham Hotspur.
08:32It's a moment he will particularly savour.
08:37His seventh goal in just 15 games.
08:40Since the transfer from White Hart Lane.
08:45Well found by Gary Neville.
08:53Oh and Pallister has gone down and stayed down.
08:59I have a horrible feeling it's that back complaint again.
09:04He's got this ongoing sciatic problem that flares up from time to time.
09:17Slid in.
09:18To try and collect the ball and you could already see the pain etched across his face.
09:23So debilitating.
09:30He's not been moving freely.
09:35Patrick Vieira the scorer of that stunning goal.
09:38Being attended to by Gary Lewin.
09:40But his problems as nothing compared to those of Gary Pallister.
09:44And Alec Ferguson is saying.
09:45Do we need to make a change?
09:47And the answer very evidently is yes.
09:51Unfortunately they have a ready-made replacement in the Norwegian Ronny Jonsson.
10:19And Sheringham scores again.
10:23And this game is brimful of special goals.
10:34It's a new match for him.
10:36But it's a club he's committed to.
10:39And of course he believes in.
10:48What a first half here.
10:52Two up to 2-2.
10:54Arsenal packed back.
10:55Scholes goes down.
10:57Martin Bodnum says no.
10:59Winterburn was the defender.
11:02And I think you can take it that Manchester United's manager is not in agreement with the referee.
11:10And that's why.
11:23There was no flag from the official on the far side.
11:28Which might have helped Martin Bodnum out.
11:31Arguably he had a better view than the referee.
11:37Picked off by Dixon.
11:42And Key Buck penalised.
11:48And Arsenal keen to get on with it.
11:56And the cross headed behind by Scholes.
12:01There's a terrific ebb and flow to this contest.
12:05Arsenal so dominant in the opening half hour.
12:09Manchester United have scored twice in eight minutes.
12:13And now with half-time approaching.
12:15Arsenal sent an opportunity to regain the lead.
12:21Winterburn's got a problem.
12:24I have a feeling something may have been thrown.
12:27It's right in front of the Manchester United supporters.
12:32And the referee Martin Bodnum is coming across.
12:38Winterburn doesn't seem keen to make a fuss.
12:51And it's a good delivery.
12:52And Schmeichel missed it.
12:56The referee has given a free kick in Manchester United's favour.
13:02But for a goalkeeper.
13:0334 next week.
13:05Who is used to dominating his penalty area.
13:08It was a very uncertain moment.
13:09The free kick was for Ham Bloor.
13:16By Ian Wright.
13:19The referee's been for words with the fourth official.
13:21Just to report the object that was thrown from the clock end.
13:27Much more for Manchester United to smile about now.
13:32Except we'll change the mood in the dressing room.
13:35At half-time.
13:36Which it now is.
13:39Classical first half.
13:40Arsenal.
13:41Two to the good through Anelka and Vieira.
13:44Manchester United hitting back strongly through the...
13:46...recently departed from Tottenham striker.
13:49To Teddy Sheringham.
13:50So he'll have enjoyed those two moments.
13:52It is 2-2.
14:01Enormously difficult to predict which way this game is going to swing next.
14:06Here's Anelka for Arsenal.
14:09Round to Henningberg.
14:10And Nicky Buck completes the clearance.
14:21Arsenal's defeat at Derby.
14:23It was their first in the Premier League this season.
14:26And it came in their 13th game.
14:30Today they failed to score in three consecutive Premier League games.
14:33Which is almost unheard of for them.
14:40Right.
14:51Dismay from Teddy Sheringham that Nicky Buck decided to have a pop from there.
14:58Sheringham was available.
14:59...but ignored.
15:05Dixon.
15:07Sent tumbling by Giggs.
15:17Ten-year age gap between the two of them.
15:24And applause for Nigel Winterburn as the Doughty full-back goes across to take this.
15:29Adams has gone.
15:30As is his habit towards the near post.
15:35Schmeichel comes and misses.
15:36Not for the first time.
15:45Hardly his best afternoon.
15:50Alec Ferguson completed 11 years in charge of Manchester United this week.
15:5611 trophy-laden years.
16:00Dixon's ball in.
16:04Overmars.
16:05Skoll's got a toe to it.
16:07And this is Beckham.
16:10Clad.
16:13Overmars.
16:17Held up by Jonsson.
16:18Parler in support.
16:20And having a go himself.
16:25He's been short of goals, Ray Parler.
16:39The thing that gives this fixture an edge whenever it's played is that each team likes nothing more than to
16:45beat the other.
16:49These are games that are highlighted on the respective club's fixture calendar as soon as the fixture lists are published
16:57each June.
17:01Partly to do with status.
17:02Partly to do with history.
17:07Partly to do with shared ambition.
17:14Martin Bodnum has also a cricket umpire in his spare time.
17:18Martin Bodnum has also a cricket umpire in his spare time.
17:33Partly to do with science.
17:35Not a real concern for Seaman.
17:49Anelka
17:52Phil Neville was guilty of the foul
17:59And Arsenal have a free kick
18:04Been the same attacking force in this second half as they were
18:07For the opening half hour of the game
18:10It's not to say they won't be again
18:16Grimondi
18:19Kold
18:20Out clear by Scholes
18:23And here's Kold
18:29Winterberg
18:37Bould
18:39Gary Neville
18:44David Platt
18:48Parler
18:53Anelka
18:57Well the crowd like what they're seeing
18:59Of Nicola Anelka
19:02Not that his first calling card was that goal in the first half
19:10But he looks to have a real future
19:20Bergs header
19:22Run away from Sheringham
19:24Platt
19:27Parler
19:30Dixon is up in the back
19:31Turned away
19:32Turned away
19:33For a throw by Philip Neville
19:38Arsenal
19:38Beginning to look the more likely
19:42Ian Wright
19:45Johnson got a foot to it
19:49Good challenge by Adams
19:53Dixon
19:55Here's Bould
19:56Here's Bould
19:58Retained both possession and his balance
20:02Adams
20:02Manchester United not retaining the ball for any length of time
20:07And Wright
20:12So dangerous
20:17Schmeichel shaking his head at some of the defensive shenanigans in front of him
20:23He has to look at himself today as well and he'll probably admit in one of his quieter moments that
20:29it's not been his finest hour
20:35Oh
20:36Parler
20:41Ian Wright
20:43Overmars is in the centre
20:44So's Christopher Wray
20:45So's Winterburn
20:46It's Wray
20:47It came off Gary Neville
20:49And somehow
20:50Schmeichel kept it out
20:54No wonder they're hugging one another
20:59To start with I think Wright expected to be flagged offside
21:02Then he realised he wasn't going to be
21:04Accelerated away
21:05Picked out Wray
21:06It hit Neville
21:07And although Schmeichel was on the deck
21:09He stuck up that big left arm
21:12And calmed it away
21:20Winterburn
21:21And flats
21:24What a story
21:27A player largely ignored for much of the season by Arsene Wenger
21:31A man who began his career with Manchester United
21:35A player born in Chadderton in Greater Manchester
21:39May well have decided this summit meeting in Arsenal's favour
21:50Beckham
21:56Good challenge by the captain Adams
21:58A platform for Winterburn
22:03And Arsenal know that
22:05In what little time remains
22:07Manchester United will come at them strongly
22:10There will be no better insurance policy than another goal
22:14Here's Pallor
22:23Here's Pallor
22:24Platt
22:27Overmars
22:28Let us suck Gary Neville in
22:32Still it's overmars
22:41The deflection took it for a corner
22:44Of Ronnie Jonson
22:54Is he to be the match-winner?
23:03Gary Neville
23:06For Nicky Butt
23:17Comes for Solskjaer
23:21And another chance goes begging
23:23And there won't be many more
23:27Here's Wright
23:32Going to stoppage time now
23:34And Ian Wright's done well to escape
23:36And there's Ray
23:39Should have sealed it
23:43Christopher Ray
23:48Yet to score in the Premier League
23:52Should have broken his duff
23:53From a sumptuous pass by Ian Wright
23:57Arsenal almost there
24:03And when the whistle goes
24:05There will be one enormous
24:07Highbury roar
24:10Because that's what victory over Manchester United means
24:13Season in
24:14Season out
24:15Here's Overmars
24:21Carla
24:24Knows that the whistle will go any second
24:27All Arsenal have to do is keep the ball
24:31Dixon
24:33Wright
24:35There it is
24:36Arsenal victorious
24:39It's hardly a title decider
24:40But it's certainly an indicator
24:42That we have a fascinating race in our hands
24:45Platinum match winner
24:46Arsenal victorious
24:49That victory would prove a crucial turning point in the title race
24:53As the Gunners went on to complete the League and Cup double
24:56In Arsene Wenger's first full season in charge of the North London side
25:01Alex Ferguson's Manchester United meanwhile
25:03Had to make do with the runners up spot
25:05Despite impressive seasons from Cole and Sheringham up front
25:08The Red Devils finished an agonising one point behind Arsenal in the final standings
25:13Thereby relinquishing their much beloved Premiership crown
25:17For the London side it was the start of a trophy laden period
25:20In Arsene Wenger
25:20The scheme was very short
Comments