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Arsenal Defeat Manchester City And Manchester United Beat QPR To Open Up Eight-Point Gap In The Premier League

The Huffington Post UK  |  By Posted: 8/04/2012 18:32 Updated: 8/04/2012 18:58

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Manchester City lost 1-0 to Arsenal to fall eight points behind Manchester United, who beat QPR earlier on Sunday.

A rasping drive from Mikel Arteta won the game for the Gunners - who leapfrogged north London rivals Tottenham - in the 87th minute after applying incessant pressure on the Citizens' goal.

Mario Balotelli, fortunate not to have been red carded in the first half for a malicious challenge on Alexandre Song, was sent off shortly after Arteta's winner for an unnecessary foul on Bacary Sagna.

United had already beaten QPR in controversial manner in the earlier kick-off. Wayne Rooney dispatched a 15th minute penalty after Shaun Derry was adjudged to have hauled down Ashley Young, who was in fact in an offside position.

Tony Fernandes appreciated United fans' sincerity:


Tony Fernandes
Thank you to all the manchester united fans for their honesty. Have recived 150 tweets saying he was offside and was never a penalty.

He also appeared to fall theatrically under minimal contact from the former Leeds United midfielder, but referee Lee Mason dismissed Derry for preventing a goalscoring opportunity.

Rafael da Silva missed a great chance to double the lead in the 59th minute as Rs goalkeeper Paddy Kenny tipped his effort on to the woodwork, before man of the match Paul Scholes effectively ended the contest in the 68th minute. Michael Carrick saw a rasping drive smack the post late on too.

For Arsene Wenger's side, a draw would have been enough to see them move up to third after Tottenham's goalless draw at Sunderland yesterday, but were relentless in their desire to beat City.

In what was a thoroughly deserved victory, Robin van Persie saw a header inadvertently cleared on to the crossbar by team-mate Thomas Vermaelen in the first period, and then hit the post in the 62nd minute when expertly found by Song.

Wenger suggested Balotelli should have been substituted:


Sam Wallace
Wenger on Balotelli: 'He was on the fringe in many situations ... he flirted with orange [card, between yellow and red]'

Joe Hart tipped a Theo Walcott strike on to the post soon after, which Vermaelen inexplicably failed to score with the follow up, as Joleon Lescott then diverted Yossi Benayoun's effort on to the woodwork for a fourth time.

But the Gunners finally breached their hosts when the Spaniard Arteta robbed David Pizarro of possession and fired past Hart from 25 yards.

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Subdued, City appeared rocked by Yaya Toure's early withdrawal after he picked up a knee injury in a challenge with Song. The 28-year-old was replaced by the Chilean Pizarro, whose mistake led to the winner.

Again Balotelli hogged the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Feasibly he may have played his last game in laser blue should the FA take retrospective action against his challenge on Song, and City manager Roberto Mancini admitted he hoped they would take action against him.

On a day which many have decided the title race is over, it was Arsenal's number eight, who widened the gap to eight points.


Balotelli sees red for the fourth time in his City career

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Manchester City lost 1-0 to Arsenal to fall eight points behind Manchester United, who beat QPR earlier on Sunday. A rasping drive from Mikel Arteta won the game for the Gunners - who leapfrogged n...
Manchester City lost 1-0 to Arsenal to fall eight points behind Manchester United, who beat QPR earlier on Sunday. A rasping drive from Mikel Arteta won the game for the Gunners - who leapfrogged n...
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BigH2000
4 Fans
05:42 PM on 04/09/2012
Bit late ref - Balotelli should have gone after 15 minutes in first half - could have broken two Arsenal legs by then - anyway, with or without him, Man City have no hope and have lost the plot.

Take down the Manc sign and make it RED as it always has been and always will be !!!!

Bought your ticket out yet Mancini ?????
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Philip Roche
7 Fans
05:01 PM on 04/09/2012
Firstly watched the match, all I have to say regarding Uniteds penalty, perhaps it was a bit harsh, sometimes their given some times their not. It balances out each season. Remember the arm was out, perhaps a little shove. I would go down, you do what you can. All I can say is sour grapes again, City were sure of a new era in the premiership has not happened. Reasons are, too many individuals in the team. Uproar in the dressing room, Tevez and Barotelli. One spent 5 months in argentina on full pay, never trained or played. Our Italian friend just likes a good time, Rooney was suspended for going out on the town before a match. City players have a right to believe one rule for one not the same for another. Mancini has lost the dressing room. The solution to his problem get players who would die for their club. Scholesy, Giggs these are the stalwarts of the team, the beating heart of the dressing room. Who are citys beating heart? Scholes return was not panic Patrick Tevez keeping his place is desperation.
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davidoricardo
8 Fans
03:33 PM on 04/09/2012
I just love the way my friends blame me now for Man U winning the title....just because Arsenal won does not convey me with divine powers....ie you let Man U win title!!!! We just have to look after ourselves for Europe...but to be frank...Man C did not show up...big mistake not having Tevez on from start
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gimmeanamethen
saying it like it is
80 Fans
 
03:19 PM on 04/09/2012
mancini pack your bags!

game over!
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BigH2000
4 Fans
01:41 PM on 04/09/2012
It'll be 11 points clear by end of this Wedesday night - Yes !!!!!
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Philip Roche
7 Fans
05:09 PM on 04/09/2012
Of course it will be, how things have changed, the pundits on MOD hate it. Remember it isn't good for English football for one team to dominate so they say. United have spent only half of what city have and we still will win the premiership. The MOD crew said this week it was because of citys injuries, strewth we lost half our team at one stage before christmas. We have the nucleus of a winning side again all we need is a midfield general in the summer, then we can rest Scholes and Giggs, but not yet alex.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Christos Palmer
Χριστός Παλμερ
179 Fans
 
10:44 PM on 04/08/2012
Well done those Gunners 1-0 to the Arsenal :)
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Galician
Keep calm and carry on
325 Fans
 
08:00 PM on 04/08/2012
It was offside and it wasn't a penalty but Utd deserved the victory since the very first minute!
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