Wenger: We've been too casual

Last night's match demonstrated there is much to be admired about the high intensity rivalry between Arsenal and United.

But it also produced the usual catalogue of play-acting and bickering, six yellow cards and, in the 69th minute, the dismissal of Mikael Silvestre for head-butting Fredrik Ljungberg.

It was, however, one of the most intriguing of the recent encounters.

The champions, having withstood United's early aggression, took the lead in the eighth minute when Patrick Vieira was first to Thierry Henry's corner and sent a glancing header past Roy Carroll. Their joy was short-lived because in the 18th minute, Ryan Giggs equalised with an outstanding goal. The industrious Paul Scholes began the move, blocking out Sol Campbell's pass and sending a ball up to the feet of Wayne Rooney. His perfect lay-off found Giggs, whose drive was deflected into the net.

A few minutes later, Robert Pires thought he should have had a penalty when brought down in the area by Silvestre but referee Graham Poll, who handled the game with great authority, waved play on.

Then, in the 36th minute and against the run of play, Henry slipped a ball to the right and the overlapping Dennis Bergkamp drove an angled shot past Carroll to restore Arsenal's lead.

United's second half fight back suggested greater mental strength and it was this, in the end, that produced the victory. In the 54th minute, Giggs called upon all of his experience to split the square Arsenal back four with a beautifully weighted pass that Ronaldo drove beyond Almunia.

Three minutes later, the energetic Giggs broke away on the right-hand side and clipped a beautiful pass over the stranded Almunia to the back post where Ronaldo ran in, unmarked, to tap the ball home.

A jubilant Sir Alex Ferguson leapt from the bench to acclaim the goal while Wenger slumped disconsolately-His mood worsened just before the end when Almunia was again caught out of position by United substitute John O'Shea, who chipped the ball into an empty net.

Arsenal's only response was a succession of high balls into the area. All were squandered apart from a Bergkamp header, which Carroll saved.

Ferguson said: "On the night our determination was fantastic. Coming from behind twice showed the character of the team."

Ferguson agreed that Chelsea remain hot favourites for the title but, if anything, this United victory has done Jose Mourinho a big favour.

All-conquering Chelsea, who can increase their lead to 11 points at Blackburn tonight, would be forgiven for believing the title race is all but over. It probably is, but the ease of United's win will not have gone unnoticed at Stamford Bridge.

If Mourinho is worried about complacency, United's victory last night will serve to remind his players of the developing threat beneath them.

United are unbeaten in 14 games, and have dropped just six points in that time and still have to play Chelsea. Captain Roy Keane said: "We'll keep plugging away. You can guarantee that we'll be fighting until the end."