Date:09/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/09/stories/2008110960291900.htm

Sport - Football

Nasri’s double stuns Manchester United

— PHOTO: AFP

SMILE’S BACK: After a miserable run of three games without a win, Arsenal shocked Manchester United 2-1 with goals coming from Samir Nasri (left).

LONDON: Samir Nasri got Arsenal back in the groove as the French midfielder scored twice to give the Gunners a much-needed 2-1 win against Manchester United on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger’s side started as underdog on its home turf after a miserable run of three games without a win — including a tumultuous meltdown at Stoke — but it produced a superb performance to cast aside doubts over its title prospects this season.

Nasri opened the scoring midway through the first half in a thrilling encounter, then added his fifth goal of the campaign moments after half-time to seal the points.

A last minute goal from Rafael da Silva — his first for United — gave the champion hopes, but it couldn’t force an equaliser despite six minutes of injury-time.

The results: Arsenal 2 (Nasri 22, 48) bt Manchester United 1 (Rafael 90); Wigan Athletic 0 drew with Stoke 0; Hull 0 lost to Bolton 1 (Taylor 50); Sunderland 1 (Cisse 4) lost to Portsmouth 2 (Belhadj 51, Defoe 90-pen); West Ham 1 (Collison 63) lost to Everton 3 (Lescott 83, Saha 85, 87). — Agencies