0-0, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 12 February 2014
We should have won this game, not only considering the way we dominated it, but also considering last weekend's result. However, we did not and missed out on the chance to take back the top spot.
That said, United certainly had a couple of decent chances to score themselves, the first one coming merely two minutes into the first half when we lost the ball inexcusably right in front of the goal, fortunately Szczesny was there to save van Persie's shot! A couple of minutes later we had our first chance of the game as Wilshere dribbled his way through the defence, but his shot was blocked by a foot in the last moment and went out for a corner, which Giroud headed wide.
Rosicky was back in the starting XI for this game, and had a long distance shot deflected off of Vidic saved by De Gea in the first half. Giroud headed another corner wide, and sent a shot over the bar before the end of the half while Gibbs had a header straight at De Gea. As the half was drawing to a close Cazorla had a shot blocked, which incidentally more or less summed up the half.
The second half looked more or less just like the first one, the only difference being that we actually managed to build up some pressure towards the end. Fifteen minutes into the half we got really close to getting that first goal, as Cazorla's corner was met by Koscielny, unfortunately Valencia was there to clear it on the line! In the following minute Giroud had a diving header, but just missed the ball and in his next chance, a cross from Gibbs, he headed it wide.
Our 'keeper had to remain vigilant, as he made a vital interception, clearing the ball with his head, to prevent van Persie from reaching it. Then, with approximately fifteen minutes to go, Giroud came inches away from scoring as Sagna sent a brilliantly struck cross into the box that the French striker just missed. As just mentioned, Szczesny had to stay prepared for just about anything, and he made a great save as we lost possession and Rooney's cross was met by van Persie in the box, whose header was punched off the bar to safety by our Polish 'keeper.
Cazorla had a trio of chances near the end, the first forcing a great save out of De Gea, while the second one was blocked by defenders and the third one forced another save out of the 'keeper.
So in the end a rather dismal result, but at least we kept a clean sheet, which considering the recent result is, to say the least, progress.
No comments:
Post a Comment