Arsenal vs. Liverpool
Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool fought back to take a draw from a high-octane match with Arsenal. Robin van Persie had fired the Gunners ahead with a fine strike on 24 minutes, only for former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane to equalise.
Emmanuel Adebayor was shown a second yellow card by referee Howard Webb on the hour mark, and the Gunners had to settle for a draw which further dents their fading title aspirations. Arsenal was dropped to 10 men for a challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa, who fell to the ground clutching his face.
The first decent chance came in the 9th minute. A long ball up field was knocked back by Keane from the edge of the Arsenal penalty area into the path of Reds captain Steven Gerrad, whose 20-yard effort was straight at Manuel Alumina.
A clipped ball in from Barcary Sagna on the right floated through to Emmanuel Adebayor, but his glanced, diving header just lacked the power to beat Jose Reina.
Arsenal snatched the lead through Robin van Persie out of nothing after 24 minutes. Nasri chipped a high ball through just inside his own half hour, which the Dutchman, on the edge of the Liverpool penalty area, collected on his chest before turning two defenders and firing a right-foot shot in the net.
On 33 minutes Gerrad tried his luck with a long-range free kick, but it was too central to trouble Alumina. Adebayor was cautioned for leaving his foot in as he went for a 50/50 ball with Insua before Liverpool levelled minutes before the break.
The Reds almost snatched another ahead of half-time, but Gerrad was unable to get on the end of Dirk Kuyt’s low ball across goal. Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas had suffered what looked like a knee problem in a tackle with Spanish Campatriot Xabi Alsono at the end of the first half, and was unable to continue. Abou Diaby came on to play on the left side of the midfield, with Denilson and Alex Song in the centre. Liverpool started strongly, with Alumina having to beat away a snap-shot from Lucas.
Nasri sent a 25-yard effort wide, and then Alumina saved bravely at the feet of Kuyt as visitors pressed for a winner. Agger fired a superb 25-yard strike just over as both teams had to settle for a draw.
Man UTD vs. LUD Quito
United were always the dominant forces in their Club World Cup Final with LDU Quito, even after Nemanjia Vidic had been sent off. Rooney assured the Red Devils got the reward they deserved when he curled the winner 16 minutes from time.
It is the first time an English club have won the tournament in its expanded form and the second time United have been crowned best on the planet following their victory over Palmeiras in 1999. Even with 10 men, United kept pushing and 16 minutes from time duly received their reward.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
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