Arsenal 1 Manchester United 3

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN ... Paul Scholes chases Nani after Manuel Almunia pushed in the winger's cross

NANI proved a point to Alex Ferguson as Manchester United dealt a major blow to Arsenal's title bid.

The winger's dazzling display all but condemned the Gunners to defeat by half-time at the Emirates.

First his fine run and cross forced Manuel Almunia to tip the ball into his own net after 33 minutes.

And just four minutes later Nani's pass allowed Wayne Rooney to drill home his 100th Premier League goal with a first-time finish.

In the past, Ferguson has regularly criticised the Portuguese ace for failing to deliver the goods.

Today, however, the Scot was full of praise — especially after seeing Park Ji-Sung run half the length of the pitch to slot home the third in the 52nd minute.

There was still time for Fergie's smile to slip slightly when Arsenal grabbed a consolation through Thomas Vermaelen with 10 minutes to go.

But by then the United boss was safe in the knowledge that his side had closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to just a point.

Arsenal, who had started the match five points behind Chelsea ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend, started brightly.

Andrey Arshavin got away down the left before cutting inside and trying to curl the ball past Edwin van der Sar, but his shot drifted wide.

With the chance gone, United quickly began to boss possession and cut down any space for the home side.

Nani and Darren Fletcher combined as they almost played in Rooney, but William Gallas made an important tackle in the six-yard box.

Alex Song, back from the African Nations Cup, then had to hack the ball clear at the far post as United again got clear down the right far too easily.

Arshavin remained Arsenal's most potent attacking threat and he skipped away down the left after 13 minutes. The Russian cut back inside Wes Brown and curled another effort goalwards, which this time was only just wide of the far post.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas suddenly burst into life with a surging run down the middle before slipping in Arshavin, only to see his team-mate lose his footing.

United, who have played a match more than Chelsea, slowly started to gain the upper hand and Gallas needed to make another timely tackle in the penalty area as Paul Scholes shaped to shoot.

Nani drilled the ball wide with Arsenal again exposed down the right once again, before playing a key part in United's opener.

The winger skipped easily between two defenders and chipped the ball back across goal, forcing Almunia to push it inside his far post.

Arsenal tried to hit back and Fabregas saw a shot blocked before they fell further behind.

Again Nani was the provider, dashing clear after picking the ball up from Rooney before squaring it for the England striker to sweep home his 22nd goal of the season.

It could have been worse on 41 minutes for Arsene Wenger's men but Nani blazed his shot wide after more good work from Rooney down the left.

There was a hold-up at the start of the second half as Rooney received treatment following a knock on the knee in a challenge with Bacary Sagna.

The England forward, though, was soon back in the action and tested Almunia with a fierce angled drive after cutting in from the left.

And it was game over on 52 minutes when United scored a third following another simple counter.

This time it was Park who broke clear, sprinting onto Fletcher's chip and then slotting past Almunia from just inside the box.

Fabregas refused to throw in the towel and continued to drive his team on, firing over and then just too close to Van der Sar.

Theo Walcott was introduced as Arsenal looked for a consolation and it arrived in the 80th minute when Vermaelen's volley took a deflection off Jonny Evans.

But there was to be no grand finale as Wenger's youngsters were again found wanting when it mattered most.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna (Bendtner 72), Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Denilson (Walcott 61), Nasri, Arshavin, Rosicky (Eboue 71). Subs not used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Silvestre, Traore. Booked: Song.

Goals: Vermaelen 80.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Jonathan Evans, Brown, Evra, Scholes (Giggs 71), Carrick, Fletcher, Nani (Berbatov 89), Rooney, Park (Valencia 87). Subs not used: Kuszczak, Owen, Gibson, De Laet.

Goals: Almunia 33 og, Rooney 37, Park 52.

Att: 60,091

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

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