Football: Man U 2-0 Arsenal: Pah. Ptuui!

Let it be known loud and clear that I am utterly disgusted at the way Man U won their match last night.

The main reason I'm seething is not because I'm an Arsenal fan, but because of the way the referee made some pretty bias decisions. Like the sending off of Vieira and Van Nistelrooy's penalty in the same fixture last season, it was as though Riley WANTED MAn U to win. EIGHT bloody penalties given TO Man U by Riley in EIGHT games at Old Trafford says a lot, doesn't it?

Some sites have waved of the controversial decisions by saying 'He did not want to show any red cards', but how can you not give a red card for a deliberate barge by a last man on a player through on goal? That's a professional foul, that is! But was it really a surprise that after three or four really bad tackles by MAn U players, the first player to be booked was Ashley Cole?

Anyway, here are some 'controversial' decisions referee Mike Riley gave:

• Waving away the professional foul by Ferdinand on Ljundberg that should have resulted in a red card for Ferdinand
• Nothing given a blatant stud-showing kick by Van Nistelrooy on Ashley Cole's knee. Even the commentators said that was a 'disgraceful tackle'.
• No card for Gary Neville's tackle from behind on Reyes' ankle (retaliating after Reyes had nutmeg him)
• The Penalty. The Penalty. Rooney was BOUND to go to ground at the slightest of contacts, and Riley didn't even HESITATE when giving the penalty. Even BEFORE Rooney had fallen down, Riley had pointed to the spot. (Granted, Campbell shouldn't have stuck his leg out, but he did, and in that time honoured Man United tradition, the striker bit dust, and Riley got his excuse to give a penalty)

Granted, Arsenal got some decisions THEIR way as well, but I think it's safe to say that Arsenal fans will have more choice curses for Riley.

Football wise, the game was entertaining enough for the neutral (though I wanted badly for Man U to LOSE, and that's not just because I'm a Liverpool fan), with a few decent shots. But it was was a very scrappy game, and had more bad tackles than good passes. Cole stifled Christiano Ronaldo, Ferdinand kept Henry quiet. With their main creative forces shackled, Man U could do very little, while Reyes was giving Neville a bad time.

Man U's second goal was well-worked, but only because Toure and co. had gone upfield in search of an equaliser.

So, Arsenal lose the unbeaten record. But on this evidence, even Man U fans are saying that they still WON'T win the league this season.

PS: With all the hype focusing on the Man U - Arsenal game, Liverpool quietly won 2-0 against Charlton and now have the ONLY 100% home record in the entire league, won their first away game last week, sit 6th in the table on 16 points (Man U are fifth with 17), AND have a game in hand. Looks good, looks good. :-)

PSS: Valencia lost to Real Madrid 1-0, the only goal coming courtesy of MICHAEL OWEN. How very ironic...