Park strike puts United on top
Monday, December 13, 2010
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Park Ji-Sung scored the only goal as Manchester United FC beat Arsenal FC to move two points clear of the Gunners in the Premier League, while in Spain Valencia CF drew with CA Osasuna.
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Manchester United FC replaced Arsenal FC at the top of the Premier League after a 1-0 victory against the London side at Old Trafford. Park Ji-Sung scored the only goal as United stretched their unbeaten start to 16 games to move two points clear at the summit, with a game in hand, ahead of their next big test at Chelsea FC on Sunday.
During a listless opening period it was not until the 24th minute that either side created a dangerous opening when Nani fired wide. Watched on by former favourite David Beckham and 26 of the 33 Chilean miners who were freed in October following two months trapped underground, United did take the lead four minutes before the break. Again Nani was involved, this time sending in a ball that Gaël Clichy deflected on to Park who glanced a header beyond Wojciech Szczęsny.
The match opened up after the interval with Anderson, Marouane Chamakh and Nani all having chances in quick succession. The game should have been settled with 17 minutes to play when Clichy handled in the box and though Wayne Rooney blasted the penalty over the bar, United still took the points.
In Spain, Valencia CF threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home to CA Osasuna. Goals from Roberto Soldado (24) and Marius Stankevičius (32) put the home side in control only for Juanfran to halve the deficit five minutes before the break. Aritz Aduriz restored Valencia's two-goal cushion two minutes later but Osasuna were not finished yet. After Miguel Flaño had pulled another goal back with an hour played, Carlos Aranda struck with three minutes to play to earn his side a point that leaves Valencia three behind RCD Espanyol in fifth.
In Turkey, Bursaspor moved to within five points of leaders Trabzonspor in second place in the Super League with a 2-1 win at home to bottom side Kasımpaşa SK. Yekta Kurtuluş opened the scoring for the visiting side in the 14th minute but Bursaspor drew level through Turgay Bahadır eight minutes later before taking the points two minutes from time courtesy of Tolga Özgen's own goal.
