Van Persie piles on agony for Gunners

Robin van Persie piled on the misery for former club Arsenal as Manchester United went top of the Premier League with a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford yesterday.Victory in this early kick-off match saw United supplant Chelsea in first place and that is where they stayed after the European champions were held to a 1-1 draw at Swansea later Saturday. Premier League title holders Manchester City could have drawn level at the summit with United but instead were left two points adrift of their local rivals following a goalless draw away to West Ham in the day’s late kick-off. In Manchester, van Persie needed fewer than three minutes to put United in front before Patrice Evra doubled their lead in the 67th minute. Arsenal’s day got worse when midfielder Jack Wilshere, in only his second game back following a long injury lay-off, was sent off for a second bookable offence after he caught Evra on the ankle. “It was a special day, in the end it was about the game and I think we played well,” van Persie told Sky Sports. United manager Alex Ferguson praised van Persie’s goal and his all-round performance by saying: “It was an ideal start for the Manchester United cause and it was good for Robin. I thought he was fantastic today. His movement, his penetration was fantastic.” Van Persie, playing against Arsenal for the first time since his £24 million ($39 million) pre-season move from the Gunners, wasted little time in giving United the lead. He struck in the third minute when, after Thomas Vermaelen failed to clear a Rafael cross, he shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area. It was the 29-year-old van Persie’s 10th goal in 13 United appearances. United should have doubled their lead shortly before half-time when they were awarded a penalty after Santi Cazorla blocked Ashley Young’s cross with his arm. But England striker Wayne Rooney drilled his spot-kick wide of the left post. However, Evra did make it 2-0 when he headed in a Rooney cross following a short corner. Cazorla pulled a goal back for Arsenal with virtually the last kick of the match, but bu then the damage had been done and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said afterwards: “It was important not to put ourselves in trouble, which is what we did.” Nigeria winger Victor Moses gave Chelsea a 61st minute lead at the Liberty Stadium with a flick-on after Gary Cahill’s header from an Eden Hazard corner. But Pablo Hernandez’s equaliser two minutes from time saw the points shared. “It is a disappointment we weren’t able to finish the game off,” said Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo. At Upton Park, Manchester City were fortunate to remain the only unbeaten side in English football’s top flight this term following a fourth draw in 10 league games.