<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2002/12/09/sfnman09.xml&sSheet=/sport/2002/12/09/ixfooty.html" target="_blank">Great report</a>
Some samples:
The lasting, story-defining image of this compelling Premiership encounter was of Patrick Vieira lying stunned on the floor as Phil Neville scampered away with the ball.
When it comes to big matches like this, the big picture is comprised of such details as who shades most of the individual duels. From back to front, United's passion players won their head-to-heads - often by an embarrassing margin. Each of Sir Alex Ferguson's men seemed to take the sight of an Arsenal player with the ball at his feet as a personal affront requiring immediate remedy.
Wenger lost because his players could not live with those Ferguson pitted against them. John O'Shea, a hugely promising blend of mobility and concentration, completely tamed Freddie Ljungberg. Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre - revelations in recent weeks - smothered Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord (and even Dennis Bergkamp when he arrived).
Ferguson's players were so constantly in Arsenal's face that it brought to mind Claudio Ranieri's description of United's pressure as like having a "pneumatic drill held against your head". With Veron and Neville holding both fort and forth, United had the protection of their defence and the platform to launch attacks, often towards the outstanding figure of Scholes.
Some samples:
The lasting, story-defining image of this compelling Premiership encounter was of Patrick Vieira lying stunned on the floor as Phil Neville scampered away with the ball.
When it comes to big matches like this, the big picture is comprised of such details as who shades most of the individual duels. From back to front, United's passion players won their head-to-heads - often by an embarrassing margin. Each of Sir Alex Ferguson's men seemed to take the sight of an Arsenal player with the ball at his feet as a personal affront requiring immediate remedy.
Wenger lost because his players could not live with those Ferguson pitted against them. John O'Shea, a hugely promising blend of mobility and concentration, completely tamed Freddie Ljungberg. Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre - revelations in recent weeks - smothered Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord (and even Dennis Bergkamp when he arrived).
Ferguson's players were so constantly in Arsenal's face that it brought to mind Claudio Ranieri's description of United's pressure as like having a "pneumatic drill held against your head". With Veron and Neville holding both fort and forth, United had the protection of their defence and the platform to launch attacks, often towards the outstanding figure of Scholes.