Heads-up Park puts United on top

Ferguson's side beat Arsenal for fifth successive win in the Premier League.

MANCHESTER: South Korea international Park Ji-Sung’s sixth goal of the season sent Manchester United two points clear at the top of the Premier League table after they beat former leaders Arsenal 1-0 at Old Trafford.

United, who also have a game in hand over all their title rivals, claimed their fifth successive home win which meant they also retained their unbeaten Premier League record this season. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted by Park’s display, who sealed victory for the side after scoring in the 41st minute from Nani’s deflected cross, and told Sky Sports, “His record against Arsenal is very good and he’s been in fantastic form, the lad. Unfortunately we are going to lose him after December 26 for the Asia Cup, so we’re going to miss him for seven matches, which is disappointing.”

Ferguson, who praised his “magnificent” back four, said of United’s overall position, “I think we’re starting to get there and our form is improving.”

Meanwhile Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tried to downplay the defeat, with the Frenchman saying, “I don’t think we failed to deliver; we lost a game and that can happen here.”

This was United’s first league game in 16 days and they would have won by a better margin had Rooney not been so wasteful from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. “It was an unusual penalty, normally Wayne always keeps them down, I’ve never known him to hit one over,” said Ferguson.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2010.