Can't win 'em all, I guess. 25th min. - Ashley Cole tests Howard from 25 yards away, but the shot goes wide of the goal. Perhaps by an inch or two, say the commentators.
Timmy's clean sheet holding up, although the run of play doesn't sound too intense yet. Think Arsenal might be somewhat subdued after the circumstances with Sol? Death tends to trivialize a game.
29th min. - Lehman dives well to save Fortune's header, after fine set-up work from Ronaldo and Gary Neville. 31st min. - Ronaldo's pace threatens the Gunners, only Toure's intervention can salvage a throw-in after a quick break upfield by the Portugese winger.
32nd min. - Ronaldo the catalyst again and again, Arsenal survive after shots from RVN and Fortune (?) become close calls. Lehman finally forced to cover up. 33rd min. - Shot by Bergkamp way off target from Howard's goal.
35 th min, manu playing better now, a few good chnaces the preassure is on, Howard not much to do but a few back passes to him or goal kicks
36th min. - Phil Neville not fooled by Bergkamp's chip into the area, clears easily. The back four in front of Howard playing flawlessly, the 'keeper not having required to make a save yet. 37th min. - Corner to United, nothing much comes of it.
Hate to ask, but is there any audio available other than the official ManU site? For some reason its not working for me today.
40th min. - Corner to United, Ronaldo takes it, cleared out by Vieira. 41st min. - Keane spoils a forward attempt by the Gunners, plays the ball back to Howard.
half time, Man U played a lot of the ball to Ronaldo on the right wing, somewhat effective but becoming very predictable and verly little attacking from the left wing. I like to see them attack from both sides.
Kinda like the Arsenal of old. 45th min. - One minute added on... Ronaldo with pace gets an open shot, but it lacks power and goes wide of Lehman's goal. United with a fair majority of the attacking play, but it seems fair to be nil-all at halftime. Halftime score... MAN UTD 0 ARSENAL 0 Stats: Code: [size=3]Man Utd ---------------- Arsenal 3 Shots On Target 0 2 Shots Off Target 2 5 Fouls (Conceded) 6 4 Corners 0 1 Yellow Cards 0 0 Red Cards 0[/size] Howard with very little to do-- as DK said, Arsenal very hesitant to commit players forward, and if it wasn't for Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts, the same can be said for the hosts. Someone want to take over the main PbP from me, for the second half? I'll hang around and make a special comment or two, but I don't think I have the energy to keep on as I have.
get and energizer battery , pc is in another room i am walking back and forth, but was nice to have you, thanks
No worries, my pleasure as always. The late kickoff is getting to my fatigue level, and my wife has long since gone to bed. Maybe if you and DK can combine together, seeing that you have to go to and fro from the TV to the PC and back? I'll try and hang around, I'll just blend into the background.
2nd half is on. Breaking Ljundberg tackled off the ball at the top of ManU's box -- near miss. The pace has picked up on this 2nd half so far.
49 minutes gone. Arsenal in possession. Ball sent into ManU's box but cross is too high. Tim tries to get to deflected shot but goes out for a corner. Corner kick wasted by Arsenal.
Ronaldo with a shot on goal from the right easily saved by Lehman. 53rd minute yellow card on Toure for foul on Ruud. Free kick ManU.
Free kick causes Lehman a little trouble as he punches out a deflected header. ManU putting some pressure on. Ruud with a couple of nice passes in the box to teammates, but Arsenal defends well. In the 56th minute. Ruud works himself free in the box but left footed shot is weak and goes right to Lehman.
Last few minutes have been all ManU. Giggs almost picks out a surging Ruud in the box. Just cut out by Arsenal defender. Ronaldo defended by 3 but still gets off cross -- but off the mark. 58 minutes gone. Arsenal corner misses everyone.