United narrow gap to one point with 3-1 win over Gunners

FT: Arsenal 1 Manchester United 3

Manchester United moved to within a point of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea as title rivals Arsenal were swept aside 3-1 at Emirates Stadium.

Nani opened the scoring on 33 minutes when his chip across goal was palmed in by Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia, before in-form England striker Wayne Rooney swept home a second following a quick counter attack.

A third on the break from Ji-Sung Park at the start of the second half effectively ended the contest, although defender Thomas Vermaelen netted a consolation for the out-muscled Gunners.

Giggs came on for Scholes with 19 minutes left, before Rosicky and Sagna were replaced by Emmanuel Eboue and Nicklas Bendtner.

Rooney almost punished Arsenal again with another simple break down the left, but shot wide.

The Gunners pulled a goal back with 11 minutes to go when Vermaelen’s volley took a deflection off Evans to wrong-foot Van der Sar.

Walcott’s header was cleared in the six-yard box by Evans, but there was to be no grand finale as Wenger’s youngsters were again found wanting when it mattered most.