第60章 廢章2

第60章 廢章2

The final round of the 2007/08 English Premier League season began with 10 matches, Manchester United beat Wigan Athletic 2-0, Chelsea drew 1-1 at home to Bolton, Arsenal beat Sunderland 1-0, Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0, Birmingham beat Blackburn 4-1 at home, Reading beat Derby County 4-0, Newcastle lost 3-1 away to Everton, Fulham drew 1-0 away at Portsmouth, Aston Villa drew 2-2 away to West Ham, Manchester City lost 8-1 away to Middlesbrough.

Arsenal beat Sunderland 1-0 away. Arsenal have won all of their last five meetings between the two sides, and are unbeaten in their last eight league games with six wins and two draws. Sunderland's last home win was in August 2000. The two sides have met 132 games in history, with Arsenal winning 50, drawing 34 and losing 48. Joelu, Senderos and Walcott rotated into the starting line-up.

Just 14 seconds into the game, Edward's half-volley from outside was denied by Fabianski. In the 7th minute, Eibu passed the ball and Adebayo broke through the Sunderland defence, but the final shot was blocked by goalkeeper Fulop with his leg. Sunderland stepped up the attack, but both Ridbitt and Yorke's perimeter shots went over the crossbar. Arsenal took the lead in the 24th minute when Gilberto Silva crossed straight and Walcott burst into the box with a low shot from 16 yards into the near corner. In the 34th minute, Wallace crossed and Ridbitt headed high on goal. Arsenal were supposed to extend the score in the 40th minute with Adebayor and Eib working together and passing the ball, but Walcott's shot deflected off target.

In the 50th minute, Danny Collins crossed and substitute Donovan headed it wide. In the 58th minute, Whitehead intercepted a pass from Walcott, referee Keith awarded him a return pass to the goalkeeper, Arsenal were given an indirect free-kick in the box, Adebayo dialed it up and Gilberto Silva's powerful shot deflected. Sunderland continued to cause problems for the visitors, and in the 65th minute, Yorke crossed and Donovan's shot hit Fabianschi's pocket. In the 74th minute, Donovan's diagonal shot deflected. In the 79th minute, Chopra was tackled by Song in the box, but the referee refused to award a penalty. In the end, Arsenal won by one goal away from home.

Arsenal line-up (4-4-2): 21-Fabianski; 20-Choru, 6-Sendros, 17-Song, 22-Krish; 27 - Ebu, 15 - Denilson, 19 - Gilberto. Silva, 32-Walcott; 25 - Adebayo, 26 - Bentener