Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal should send a warning to his side’s Premier League title rivals.
Although United won the English league last season, they struggled in their showdowns with Liverpool and Arsenal.
Liverpool defeated Ferguson’s men twice, while Arsenal took four points off the champions.
PHOTO: AP
With that record in mind, Ferguson was delighted to see his side fight back from a goal down to beat the Gunners at Old Trafford on Saturday.
“When you are 1-0 down to a team of Arsenal’s class, it’s an uphill task,” Ferguson said. “We had to dig deep, but we played really well in the second half and deserved to win. The players know winning big games is important. Last season, we lost four points to Arsenal and six to Liverpool. Now we’ve got off to a better start against the bigger teams. That can make a difference.”
Arsene Wenger’s side were well on top after taking the lead through Andrey Arshavin’s superb strike late in the first half, but the champions were handed a lifeline soon after halftime when Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia needlessly conceded a penalty that Wayne Rooney converted.
PHOTO: AP
It got worse for Arsenal as French midfielder Abou Diaby headed a Ryan Giggs free-kick into his own net five minutes later to give United their third win in four games.
Robin van Persie thought he had equalized in the last minute of stoppage time, but the Arsenal striker’s effort was ruled out for offside, leading Wenger to be sent to the stands as he kicked a water bottle in frustration.
Elsewhere, leaders Chelsea maintained their blistering form with a 3-0 victory over Burnley, while Liverpool came from behind to beat 10-man Bolton Wanderers 3-2 as Rafael Benitez’s side showed they have the stomach to fight for the title.
The Reds had made a spluttering start to the campaign, with defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa raising questions about their ability to win the league for the first time since 1990.
They fell behind to Bolton in the 33rd minute when Kevin Davies punished poor marking to drive home the ball from close-range.
Glen Johnson equalized with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 41st minute, but Tamir Cohen restored Bolton’s lead two minutes into the second half. Bolton’s Sean Davis was harshly shown a second yellow card for a foul on Lucas in the 55th minute and the visitors took full advantage as Dirk Kuyt found Fernando Torres and the Spain striker finished smartly.
Steven Gerrard, criticized in the week by Benitez for his poor form, hit the winner with a perfectly-struck shot in the 83rd minute.
“It was the perfect response from the players,” Benitez said. “You could see all the players, from the first minute, played with a lot of determination to win. It’s important to have this mentality.”
Tottenham Hotspur, in second place on goal difference, kept pace with Chelsea as Aaron Lennon’s last-gasp goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City at White Hart Lane.
Dave Kitson’s first league goal for Stoke City clinched a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are still waiting for their first home win of the season as Hull City ground out a 1-1 draw at Molineux.
Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United played out a dour goalless draw at Ewood Park.
Result from yesterday’s early kick-off in the Premier League:
• Portsmouth 0, Man City 1
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