Deadly form ... Wayne Rooney is certainly happy RVP scored against the Gunners. Source: AFP
Robin van Persie reminded his former club just what they are missing, scoring the opening goal as Manchester United beat Arsenal 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Victory in the early kick-off match saw United replace Chelsea in first place and that is where they stayed after the European champions were held to a 1-1 draw at Swansea City later on.
Playing against the Gunners for the first time since his big-money move to Old Trafford in August, van Persie fired home after just three minutes for his 10th goal of the season.
Wayne Rooney dragged a penalty wide in first-half injury time for United, but the England striker crossed for Patrice Evra to head in the clinching goal in the 67th minute.
Arsenal, playing the final 21 minutes with 10 men after Jack Wilshere was sent off for two bookings, grabbed a consolation goal through Santi Cazorla with the final kick of the game.
| P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man United | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 24 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 23 |
| 3 | Man City | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 22 |
| 4 | Everton | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 17 |
| 5 | Tottenham | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 17 |
| 6 | Arsenal | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 15 |
| 7 | Fulham | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 15 |
| 8 | West Ham | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 15 |
| 9 | West Brom | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 14 |
| 10 | Newcastle | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | -2 | 13 |
| 11 | Swansea | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 12 |
| 12 | Wigan | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | -5 | 11 |
| 13 | Liverpool | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | -2 | 10 |
| 14 | Norwich | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | -10 | 10 |
| 15 | Stoke | 10 | 1 | 6 | 3 | -2 | 9 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | -3 | 9 |
| 17 | Aston Villa | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -6 | 9 |
| 18 | Reading | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | -6 | 4 |
| 19 | Southampton | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -12 | 4 |
| 20 | QPR | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | -11 | 3 |
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted the victory was "a strange game".
"I think I need to sleep on it, I could not believe the chances we missed," he said.
"We should have put it to bed a long, long time ago and you look at that scoreline 2-1 and you think it was a close game, but it wasn't a close game.
"I think there was a lack of urgency in our game throughout, far too casual. It was an unusual Manchester United Arsenal game really.
"I know there were a lot of bookings, but it didn't get anywhere near the Manchester United-Arsenal games of the past, nowhere near it."
Van Persie also felt United should have won more convincingly, but he was happy in the end to take all three points.
"It was a special day but in the end it was about the game," said Van Persie.
"I think we played well, we were a bit sloppy with chances and should have scored a few more but in the end I'm happy with the three points."
Van Persie also revealed he chose not to celebrate his goal against his old club out of respect for his former employers.
"I think it speaks for itself," said Van Persie.
"I played for eight years and had a fantastic time there. I respect the fans, the players, the manager and the whole club.
"It's the first time ever that I've played against my former club because I only have three. It was a special day but in the end it's about the game and we won it."
Van Persie also played down any problems with any of the chants aimed his way by some Arsenal fans.
"I played for eight years and had a fantastic time there. I respect the fans, the players, the manager and the whole club."
"I honestly didn't hear them. They are great fans and I do respect them a lot."
Read more at: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8222091/Special-day-for-Robin-van-Persie-after-Manchester-United-beat-Arsenal
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