FOOTBALL Live

Tuesday May 5, 2009 Finished

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Arsenal

  • van Persie 76’ (pen.)

Manchester United

  • Park 8’
  • Cristiano Ronaldo 11’, 61’

2055 comments | Write your comment

  1. United overwhelm Arsenal

    United overwhelm Arsenal

    Manchester United booked their place in the Champions League final after beating Arsenal 4-1 on aggregate. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Arsenal
    • Manchester United
    • - What it lacked in drama, it made up for in history: United will head to Rome in a few weeks to face either Barcelona or Chelsea with a chance to become the first side to retain the Champions League. Join us tomorrow to see who they'll face in the final!
    • 90'+3 The whistle blows to put the Gunners out of their misery and confirm what's been clear since the 8th minute of this match: Manchester United are in the final of the Champions League!
    • 90'+3 Surely the last move, as Park slides a ball into the box for Rafael - but it's cleared, and Arsenal come up once more...
    • 90'+1 Adebayo gets a weak right-foot shot away after a penalty box bundle - but it's easily saved by the big Dutchman.
    • 90' Three minutes to be added on.
    • 88' This time, Ronaldo balloons his strike over the bar.
    • 88' Another Ronaldo dive, another free kick for United...
    • 87' Free kick for the holders, and it's Ronaldo - of course - to take... he strikes it perfectly, but it's just too high.
    • 85' A good effort pushing into attack by the Gunners sees Adebayor get on to a ball just a couple of yards out, but Van Der Sar is there to save.
    • 83' Van Persie has a crack at a free kick from 25 yards, but it's wide of the left post.
    • 82' Arsenal push up more in hope than expectation of another consolation goal.
    • 80' UEFA officials have just confirmed that there is no right of appeal except in cases of mistaken identity.
    • 79' Fergie is already arguing calmly with the third official about trying to get the red card overturned... It's desperately unfair on Fletcher if he has to miss the final.
    • 77' Arsenal push up with a corner now, but Berbatov clears the danger.
    • 75' Van Persie hammers the penalty into the top right corner - superb strike, but replays suggest that Fletcher got the ball with his tackle. Still, it was a clumsy scissor kick round Van Persie's waist in the six-yard box - that's asking for trouble.
    • 74' Van Persie is taken out by Fletcher in the box - AND IT'S A RED CARD FOR FLETCHER! HE MISSES THE FINAL!!!! AND IT'S A PENALTY!!!
    • 72' It's now Man U who seem to be pushing harder again, as the match begins to take on the patterns of a training ground match.
    • 70' Nasri's tackle was pretty poor there - he misses the next European match for Arsenal.
    • 69' Nasri goes in the book for a careless hack on O'Shea.
    • 67' It's all over as a contest now, with the pace of the match dropping hugely as both sides begin conserving energy for other battles to come.
    • 65' Evra comes off and Rafael comes on for United, while Rooney - who was one yellow card from missing the final - is switched for Berbatov.
    • 64' Van Persie makes a nice run in and fires a left-foot shot - but it's a very good save from Van der Sar.
    • 63' With the tie over as a contest, Walcott and Anderson come off for Bendtner and Giggs respectively.
    • 61' Rooney charges up field on the break from Park's great ball... and SLOTS A GREAT BALL TO RONALDO - WHO BURIES THE BALL IN THE ROOF OF THE NET!!!!! Superb goal on the counter - and that's surely it now. The only question is who United will face in Rome. who United will face in Rome.
    • 60' Van Persie curls the ball in to Nasri on the edge of the box, but the well-struck shot can't find a way through the bodies in the box.
    • 59' Arsenal force a corner as Vidic clears danger from Nasri...
    • 57' Arsenal hit on the break, but Park and O'Shea are like a pack of terriers hustling Adebayor off the ball.
    • 56' United are frustrating the Arsenal players at the moment, hanging on to the ball ruthlessly and running the clock down.
    • 54' Free kick for the Gunners... Van Persie takes it but its long and left - not a great effort in all honesty.
    • 52' Ronaldo cuts back in from the right flank and unleashes a left-foot shot from the edge of the box - GREAT SAVE BY ALMUNIA! The keeper pushes it just around the post - and then collects the resulting corner well.
    • 51' Man U hit on the break as Arsenal cautiously push up... and Ronaldo has a great opening...
    • 49' The ref seems to have had his glasses cleaned at half-time: Ronaldo falls over but for once doesn't earn a free kick.
    • 48' Arsenal start making the moves and are prodding away for a gap, but they've still got fewer men up front than United have in their defence. Come on, lads, you need four blimmin goals against one of the top sides in the world - pick your feet up!!
    • 47' Corner for the visitors, whipped in by Rooney but headed clear by Sagna.
    • 46' We're back in action, and butter-footed Kieran Gibbs has been replaced by Eboue. A positive move by Wenger, but it's not exactly pushing the panic button just yet.
    • - Looking for some light reading for half-time? The check out the news about Fergie's £63m bid for Franck Ribery!
    • - Quick half-time update: Ronaldo's free kick has been clocked at 41 yards by the football scientists. It was some strike...
    • 45'+1 Just a few seconds of injury time and the ref blows up to signal the end of the first half. As a neutral, you can't help but feel that it's a shame that the tie is all but decided already. Unless, of course, Arsenal dare to dream of a ridiculous miracle... We can only hope.
    • 45' Rooney finds space to chase a ball on the left, pulls it back across the box straight to Ronaldo - but the Portuguese superstar's left-foot effort is weak and straight at the keeper.
    • 44' Rooney wins a free kick from a 50/50 tussle with Walcott, and United try to clip the ball upfield again...
    • 43' Nice move from Arsenal is throttled by the United defence. The Gunners are starting to look a bit more effective now, but the visitors are keeping five or six men behind the ball.
    • 41' The ball is whipped in beautifully by Van Persie, but it's headed clear by the defence.
    • 40' Walcott wins a free kick off Evra on the right... Van Persie to take...
    • 40' Man U are totally efficient in closing down their opponents at the moment, closing in at least two or three on one every time the ball comes near the final quarter of the pitch.
    • 39' The big screens around the ground are regularly being filled with worried pictures of the Gunners' boss's face - but they don't seem to be showing the smug smileyness of Fergie very much.
    • 38' Ronaldo pings in a fizzing ball that's half-cross, half-shot, and Almunia takes it well.
    • 37' Another free kick won by United, this time Park gets the decision after jumping on top of Fabregas's head - a baffling call by the ref.
    • 35' Ronaldo has gone down wincing and holding his leg after a minimal-contact challenge by Fabregas. Good to see that he's brought his scuba gear to London...
    • 34' Nice ball in on the right from Sagna picks out Adebayor, but the big striker is hemmed in by the visitors' defence and can't head on target.
    • 33' Arsenal winning a free kick just inside the Man U half earns a huge, ironic cheer from the crowd.
    • 32' Ronaldo himself takes the free kick - and pings it hard, on target... but this time Almunia's hands are as solid as a three-week-old loaf of granary bread.
    • 31' Ronaldo is cut down by Sagna and wins a free kick just outside the box despite the fact that the Arsenal man seemed to get the ball...
    • 30' Man U hit on the counter and Ronaldo hits a neat, dipping shot on target inside the left post that Almunia gathers well.
    • 29' The ball comes in and Adebayor is right there, but is penalised for trying to head the ball while Van der Sar is catching it.
    • 28' Arsenal come back up the pitch and win a throw on the right.
    • 26' Arsene Wenger on the bench looks like he's just had his birthday cancelled and been told that his cat has a terminal disease all at the same time.
    • 25' Goal hero park temporarily enters headless chicken mode, dribbling clean across half the pitch and eventually running the ball out for an Arsenal throw at the half-way line.
    • 24' Man U push up again - they're looking dangerous with every move - but Rooney on the left flank is marginally offside.
    • 23' Van Persie to take, but Vidic heads clear and out for a throw.
    • 23' Walcott on a charge up the right forces Evra to concede a corner.
    • 22' With the freedom of a 3-0 aggregate lead the holders are pinging the ball round the park as if they think they're Barcelona...
    • 21' Rooney gets his head to the corner but heads wide - he's penalised for a push in any case.
    • 21' Ronaldo comes up the right into the box and wins a corner...
    • 20' Arsenal keep on coming back, Nasri putting a good ball through to Adebayor who wins a corner - but Van der Sar takes the ball well.
    • 18' Ronaldo leaps to meet the corner, but his header goes over...
    • 18' Ronaldo takes the ball and cuts it back for Rooney - who shoots well, and it's a lovely save from Almunia at full stretch!
    • 17' Ronaldo and Rooney combine well as they chase a long ball... both onside...
    • 16' Song and Sagna combine on the right, but Evra cuts the ball out to nip the move in the bud.
    • 15' The crowd are shocked, stunned, heads in hands already. This really wasn't in the script for Wenger and co, but the players are pushing up trying to get back in to things.
    • 13' Almost another great chance for Ronaldo, trying to get on the end of a long ball but ending up offside.
    • 12' The question is what on earth does Wenger do? His boys need four goals now...
    • 11' Man United have a free kick... AND RONALDO HAS SCORED!!!!!! Superb strike, but the ball went almost through the hands of Almunia!! Incredible start for United who are already making up for their profligacy last week!
    • 10' Having said that, Liverpool and Chelsea taught us all a few weeks ago that pretty much anything can happen in the Champions League!
    • 9' That's something of a disaster for the Gunners already, who now need to score at least three times to make it through to the final.
    • 8' GOAL FOR UNITED!!!! Ronaldo runs on to a ball up ion the left side of the box, cuts it back across the penalty box - and Gibbs slips over! Park is there to pounce, and he right-foots the ball past Almunia!!!
    • 6' Both teams are playing pretty solid stuff so far, with the defences very quick and tight closing each other down.
    • 4' The chance is blown straight away: United took a short corner, and when the ball came in Vidic had moved offside.
    • 3' First chance comes for Arsenal as they win a corner from a deflected shot by Fabregas.
    • 2' United - playing in their all-blue strip tonight - come forward to make the first move of the match, but the ball is cut out by Song just as Park is about to deliver a ball.
    • 1' And we're under way! There's still bright sunshine on a clear night, perfect conditions for a cracking game...
    • - So who's going to win? Arsenal have had 11 clean sheets in their last 12 matches here at the Emirates; but then again, United have only conceded twice in their last seven CL matches away from home.
    • - This will be the fifth straight year that England have had a side in the Champions League final. And if United win, they'll become the first team to defend the title since the old European Cup was superseded by the Champions League.
    • - Arsene Wenger was certainly confident before the match, claiming that he'll "make United pay" for their missed chances at Old Trafford. See his interview on our video page.
    • - Latest news coming in - and this seems odd - is that Ronaldo will play down the centre for United. That's the official line - could be a few mind games from the Manchester camp, though. Guess we won't really know until kick-off.
    • - The players are warming up on the pitch, all stern faces and crumpled brows. Man Utd were the better team last week, but Arsenal will fancy their chances at home.
    • - There was plenty of speculation about Carlos Tevez starting tonight, but once again the South American is on the bench. Rooney starts on his own up front, while Arsenal have Adebayor as their lone target man.
    • - Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, Park, Ronaldo, Rooney. Subs: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Evans, Giggs, Scholes, Berbatov, Tevez
    • - Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Gibbs, Walcott, Fabregas, Song Billong, Nasri, Van Persie, Adebayor. Subs: Fabianski, Eboue, Silvestre, Diaby, Denilson, Vela, Bendtner
    • - This is it folks! Gunners vs Red Devils for a spot in the Champions League final. The final teams are in:

  • Summary

    • 90'+1 Adebayo gets a weak right-foot shot away after a penalty box bundle - but it's easily saved by the big Dutchman.
    • 75' Van Persie hammers the penalty into the top right corner - superb strike, but replays suggest that Fletcher got the ball with his tackle. Still, it was a clumsy scissor kick round Van Persie's waist in the six-yard box - that's asking for trouble.
    • 74' Van Persie is taken out by Fletcher in the box - AND IT'S A RED CARD FOR FLETCHER! HE MISSES THE FINAL!!!! AND IT'S A PENALTY!!!
    • 64' Van Persie makes a nice run in and fires a left-foot shot - but it's a very good save from Van der Sar.
    • 61' Rooney charges up field on the break from Park's great ball... and SLOTS A GREAT BALL TO RONALDO - WHO BURIES THE BALL IN THE ROOF OF THE NET!!!!! Superb goal on the counter - and that's surely it now. The only question is who United will face in Rome. who United will face in Rome.
    • 52' Ronaldo cuts back in from the right flank and unleashes a left-foot shot from the edge of the box - GREAT SAVE BY ALMUNIA! The keeper pushes it just around the post - and then collects the resulting corner well.
    • 43' Nice move from Arsenal is throttled by the United defence. The Gunners are starting to look a bit more effective now, but the visitors are keeping five or six men behind the ball.
    • 32' Ronaldo himself takes the free kick - and pings it hard, on target... but this time Almunia's hands are as solid as a three-week-old loaf of granary bread.
    • 18' Ronaldo takes the ball and cuts it back for Rooney - who shoots well, and it's a lovely save from Almunia at full stretch!
    • 11' Man United have a free kick... AND RONALDO HAS SCORED!!!!!! Superb strike, but the ball went almost through the hands of Almunia!! Incredible start for United who are already making up for their profligacy last week!
    • 8' GOAL FOR UNITED!!!! Ronaldo runs on to a ball up ion the left side of the box, cuts it back across the penalty box - and Gibbs slips over! Park is there to pounce, and he right-foots the ball past Almunia!!!

Live Team Line-Up

  • Referee: Roberto Rosetti

  • Arsenal

    Manager: Arsene Wenger

    Captain: Cesc Fabregas

    Starting line-up

    • M. Almunia
    • B. Sagna
    • K. Toure
    • J. Djourou
    • K. Gibbs Substitution Out (45′)
    • A. Song
    • S. Nasri Yellow Card
    • C. Fabregas
    • T. Walcott Substitution Out (63′)
    • R. van Persie Substitution Out (79′)
    • E. Adebayor Yellow Card

    Subs

    • M. Silvestre
    • A. Diaby
    • E. Eboue Substitution In45′ Yellow Card
    • N. Bendtner Substitution In63′
    • .. Denilson
    • L. Fabianski
    • C. Vela

    Injured

    • G. Clichy
    • D. Eduardo

    Suspended

    • A. Arshavin

  • Manchester United

    Manager: Alex Ferguson

    Captain: Rio Ferdinand

    Starting line-up

    • E. van der Sar
    • J. O'Shea
    • R. Ferdinand
    • N. Vidic
    • P. Evra Substitution Out (65′)
    • M. Carrick
    • D. Fletcher Red Card
    • O. Anderson
    • J. Park
    • W. Rooney Substitution Out (66′)
    • C. Ronaldo Goals×2

    Subs

    • P. Scholes
    • R. Giggs Substitution In63′
    • D. Berbatov Substitution In66′
    • T. Kuszczak
    • C. Tevez
    • J. Evans
    • R. Da Silva

    Injured

    • G. Neville
    • O. Hargreaves

    Suspended

    None

Comment 2036 - 2055 of 2055

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  1. The next season is going to be a cracking season for­ football. With the new promotions this should
    be an­ interesting time.

    From Free bet www.freebets.co.za, on Tue 2 Jun 9:40PM

  2. man u is the best in the world and will win forever i­ will hope they will win the final cup but without bad­ things

    From bawerhawler, on Wed 27 May 2:09PM

  3. go manu best team in the world

    From , on Sun 10 May 10:54AM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    dialogue between Fergie(F) and Ronald(R)
    F: whenever­ you kick a penality of free cick, there should be a­ space of some 4to5 meters between you and the ball.
    R:­ How can I measure that? Shall I have a metre in my­ pocket when I come to games?
    F:To do what?
    R:Just to­ measure the distance between me and the ball?
    F:Do you­ forget that you can not read and write? So, how can you­ read the numeric values on metre?
    R: Rooney will help­ me in this matter,
    F:Rooney has his own role in the­ game. He is there, not to measure the distance but­ to....
    R:Would you put some visible mark at length of­ 5m on my metre please?
    F: Having anything in pocket­ during games is not allowed.
    R:So, what shall I­ do.Shall I leave MaN Utd and join Mdrid? there may be­ someone who can help me in this regard?
    F: Come on!­ here is a solution?
    R:What is it?
    F:ALWAYS WALK 5 WALKS­ BACK FROM A BALL AND CICK THE BALL THEN. Be careful!­
    R:I will never forget it and will do it forever! Now I­ can read, 5m=5 walks! Waw, now I am not illitrate!

    From bejerond, on Sat 9 May 7:43AM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I HATE AND ALWAYS WILL HATE MANCHESTER UNITED

    From gunners4 lyfe:), on Fri 8 May 9:53PM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    No Arsenal . No Mu here.. Barca.. BarcaA.. Hep Hep­ Hooraay.... ^^

    From zuan, on Fri 8 May 5:10AM

  7. ronaldo is not handsome

    From famrich5, on Thu 7 May 6:22PM

  8. Man of the match CRISTIANO RONALDO goals Cristiano­ Ronaldo

    From Nana, on Thu 7 May 4:02PM

  9. Ronaldo is the best player in the world, Messi 2nd, 3rd­ NOT TORRES, i don't see how it's possicle he­ got best striker in the world, Van Persie, Adebayor,­ Eto'o, Henry, Ibrahimovic, Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov­ and David Villa all better strikers than him, this is­ ridiculous!!!!

    From andrewmajdandzic, on Thu 7 May 7:48AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Arsenal will be champions of the world 2010 - 2011

    From andrewmajdandzic, on Thu 7 May 7:45AM

  11. Best team in the­ world:
    -------------Buffon------------------
    Alves-Terr­ y-Ferdinand-Clichy
    -------------Fabregas-------------
    -­ ----------Kaka------Ribery------
    Ronaldo---------------­ ----Messi
    --------------David Villa-----------

    From andrewmajdandzic, on Thu 7 May 7:44AM

  12. MANCHESTER UNITED THE WINNER OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

    From arvindo_55, on Thu 7 May 7:28AM

  13. Man U is the best team ever..................
    M proud­ of u all

    From Diana, on Thu 7 May 3:51AM

  14. I'M TOTALLY WITH YOU JACK McDONALOD

    From unitedgirlcr, on Wed 6 May 7:16PM

  15. What a sad defeat i wish this wouldever happen.

    From Quadri, on Wed 6 May 7:11PM

  16. some one ve kill himself becos of gunners, y shld this­ happen,

    From prince, on Wed 6 May 7:07PM

  17. WE WILL KEEP THE RED FLAG FLYING HIGH BECAUSE MAN­ UNITED WILL NEVER DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Abbiee, on Wed 6 May 6:20PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Referee: Roberto Rosetti
    Arsenal
    Manager: Arsene­ Wenger

    Captain: Cesc Fabregas

    Starting line-upM.­ Almunia
    B. Sagna
    K. Toure
    J. Djourou
    K. Gibbs
    A.­ Song
    S. Nasri
    C. Fabregas
    T. Walcott
    R. van­ Persie
    E. Adebayor
    Subs
    M. Silvestre A. Diaby E.­ Eboue 46′ N. Bendtner 63′ ..­ Denilson L. Fabianski C. Vela Injured
    G. Clichy D.­ Eduardo Suspended
    A. Arshavin Manchester­ United
    Manager: Alex Ferguson

    Captain: Rio­ Ferdinand

    Starting line-upE. van der Sar
    J.­ O'Shea
    R. Ferdinand
    N. Vidic
    P. Evra
    M.­ Carrick
    D. Fletcher
    O. Anderson
    J. Park
    W.­ Rooney
    C. Ronaldo
    ×2 Subs
    P. Scholes R. Giggs­ 63′ D. Berbatov 67′ T. Kuszczak C.­ Tevez J. Evans R. Da Silva 65′ Injured
    G.­ Neville O. Hargreaves Suspended
    None

    From Jack, on Wed 6 May 6:12PM

  19. Referee: Roberto Rosetti
    Arsenal
    Manager: Arsene­ Wenger

    Captain: Cesc Fabregas

    Starting line-upM.­ Almunia
    B. Sagna
    K. Toure
    J. Djourou
    K. Gibbs
    A.­ Song
    S. Nasri
    C. Fabregas
    T. Walcott
    R. van­ Persie
    E. Adebayor
    Subs
    M. Silvestre A. Diaby E.­ Eboue 46′ N. Bendtner 63′ ..­ Denilson L. Fabianski C. Vela Injured
    G. Clichy D.­ Eduardo Suspended
    A. Arshavin Manchester­ United
    Manager: Alex Ferguson

    Captain: Rio­ Ferdinand

    Starting line-upE. van der Sar
    J.­ O'Shea
    R. Ferdinand
    N. Vidic
    P. Evra
    M.­ Carrick
    D. Fletcher
    O. Anderson
    J. Park
    W.­ Rooney
    C. Ronaldo
    ×2 Subs
    P. Scholes R. Giggs­ 63′ D. Berbatov 67′ T. Kuszczak C.­ Tevez J. Evans R. Da Silva 65′ Injured
    G.­ Neville O. Hargreaves Suspended
    None

    From Jack, on Wed 6 May 6:12PM

  20. Jim White should be Prime Minister, or at least­ Minister of Sports at some level. Because the man­ absolutely nails almost every topic he touches, on the­ head.
    Idiots call Ronaldo a wuss, a diver, a­ showboater, etc. Is it a crime to be hansome, rich,­ glamorous and be a VERY talented footballer?
    Anyway,­ Wenger acknowledged that the boy simply tore them­ apart. Thank you Jim White for another truthful­ atricle.

    From Jack, on Wed 6 May 6:11PM
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