MX23RW : Sunday, December 29 04:17:14| >> :120:14952:14952:
[monks data]
Manchester United logo
Premier League
Mar 14, 1998 at 3pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Overmars (79')

On this day: Arsenal's Marc Overmars scores Old Trafford winner

Seventeen years ago today, a winning goal from Arsenal winger Marc Overmars away at Manchester United blew open the Premier League title race.

Throughout his long Manchester United career, right-back Gary Neville faced a host of big-name wingers, including the likes of Luis Figo, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Robert Pires.

However, when recently asked by talkSPORT which wideman had caused him the most problems, he responded: "Marc Overmars was a tough opponent. It was tough though because Emmanuel Petit kept dropping balls over my head.

"I would say Overmars [was the toughest] because those tussles between Arsenal and Man United in the last 1990s, they were the best domestic team I ever played against."

Neville more than likely formed that viewpoint during Arsenal's visit to Old Trafford 17 years ago today.

It was a vital encounter for both sides, with the hosting Red Devils nine points clear of the Gunners, who had three games in hand, at the top of the table.

The North Londoners had not won on any of their previous six trips to United, but from the first whistle it was clear that they were determined to end that sequence of results.

The likes of Overmars, Dennis Bergkamp and Christopher Wreh caused numerous problems throughout, while up the other end, United's strike duo of Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham found it difficult to make any inroads up against Tony Adams and Martin Keown.

It was not until the 79th minute, though, that Overmars made a crucial impact. Substitute Nicolas Anelka flicked the ball into the path of the Dutchman, who sped away from Neville before slotting his shot underneath goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and into the far corner of the net.

The goal was the first that Arsenal had scored in the Premier League at Old Trafford and despite some late pressure from the home side, which included Schmeichel coming up for a corner and pulling his hamstring on the run back towards his goal, Arsene Wenger's men held on to claim all three points.

Speaking after the final whistle, Wenger said: "I think United have still got a small advantage, because we have to take the points from the games in hand. But we have closed the gap, and it makes it very interesting for everybody until the end."

Match-winner Overmars added: "We have a few difficult away matches, against Blackburn and Liverpool, but we are going well now. This was a great result for us. You don't win the Premier League against Manchester United - you have to beat the other clubs."

As for beaten boss Sir Alex Ferguson, he offered up: "If they win their games in hand they will go ahead of us, but they will find out they start dropping points towards the end of the season, there's no question about that.

"They played well today but I don't think they are as good a football team as us, though they looked strong and determined."

MAN UNITED: Schmeichel; G Neville, Berg, Curtis (Thornley), Irwin; Johnsen (May), P Neville (Solskjaer), Scholes, Beckham; Sheringham, Cole

ARSENAL: Manninger; Dixon, Adams, Keown, Winterburn; Parlour (Garde), Petit, Vieira, Overmars; Bergkamp, Wreh (Anelka)

ID:211063: cacheID:211063:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5846:
Written by
Liam Apicella
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
David Platt of Arsenal in action during the FA Carling Premier league match between Wimbledon and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on November 2, 1996
Read Next:
OTD: Late Platt header sinks Man United
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Cardinals
@
Rams
6pm
Jets
@
Bills
6pm
Panthers
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Colts
@
Giants
6pm
Titans
@
Jags
6pm
Raiders
@
Saints
6pm
Packers
@
Vikings
9.05pm
Dolphins
@
Browns
9.25pm
Cowboys
@
Eagles
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!