LONDON, 25 October 2004 — Arsenal’s English record unbeaten league run of 49 games was brought to a shuddering halt after a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy converted a 73rd-minute penalty after Wayne Rooney was upended in the Arsenal box by Sol Campbell. And Rooney added a second in injury time to wrap it up.
In a fiercely contested first half it was Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo who enjoyed the greatest opportunity despite Arsenal’s dominance. He blasted over from six yards after 22 minutes.
Arsenal had appeals for a foul on Freddie Ljungberg by Rio Ferdinand, when the Swedish striker appeared clean through on goal, turned down when a red card would not have been a harsh verdict. But the game seemed to be heading for a draw when Rooney jinked past Campbell and went down under the slightest of challenges.It was the eighth time in eight games referee Mike Riley had awarded United a penalty at Old Trafford. Van Nistelrooy slotted the ball low to Jens Lehmann’s left and the points were United’s. And just as Arsenal poured forward in search of the equalizer, substitute Alan Smith teed up Rooney to slam home the decisive second.
Newcastle moved up to sixth place after a scintillating 4-3 victory over Manchester City at St. James’ Park. After a goalless first half, Newcastle took control with goals from Laurent Robert and Alan Shearer putting the home side 2-0 ahead after 56 minutes. Portsmouth’s search for a first away win of the season was thwarted after a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
After Diomansy Kamara had given Pompey a 4th-minute lead, Boro laid siege to the visitors’ goal before the impressive Stewart Downing leveled it with 18 minutes remaining.
A 0-0 draw at St. Mary’s was enough to see Southampton move off the bottom of the table against Birmingham. Dexter Blackstock’s first-half header for the hosts hit the bar in the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock.
