First half went really passive. The attack of the visiting side was based, as usual, in possession but this time United's defense was different. Zola has been working on a deep defense based on a mixed zonal marking. This is the terror for the Gunner attack due to the style of passing; the game is not interrupted when attacking but the defending block has the advantage of covering all spaces, thus leading to less maneouvering from the attacking part. The Arsenal was uneffective while attacking; the left and right backs were not overlapping and French prodige Nasri completely dissapeared. Theo wide shot at crossbar at 21' and a deflection on Green's goal were the only attractives near the 30' mark. At 32' some hints of hte "Permisive Arsenal" appeared. The same mistakes that permited Hull and Everton to equalize were being made by the North London side. Fortunately for the Arsenal Cesc corrected the mistakes by applying immediate changes in rhythm on the pitch. Arsenal touching out of the box was meek and the first half ended with a shot by Bendtner.
Second half went quite impressive for the Hammers since the attempts by them were nearly on goal. Pressure and desperation for the Gunners became evident and by the 60', Wenger had made at least two substitutions. Robin van Persies twice shots, one at woodwork, were not enough to beat goalie Green. The pressure was so intense that after and Adebayor shot, the goal came, on a deflection by Faubert. The Gunnesrs deserved the goal for the pressure and resilence of the attacks rather than the talent displayed by the team. Faubert suffered with Clichy throughout the match and the second goal came on a counter commanded by Cesc. A long pass to Adebayor broke the offside trap and in a crazy exit by Green Adebayor dribbled and scored. In the end missery piled up for the Hammers due to the sent off of Cole.
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