Premier League: Arsenal held by United as Chelsea beat Swansea
Robin van Persie scored from the penalty spot as Manchester United drew 1-1 with Arsenal on Sunday.
Van Persie cancelled out Walcott's second minute opener shortly before half-time, much to the disgust of the home support - as Arsenal only moved an additional point clear of arch-rivals Spurs in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.
The 29-year-old Dutchman, playing back at the Emirates Stadium for the first time since moving from Arsenal to United in a 24 million pounds deal last August, certainly had a return he will not forget in a hurry.
After a rather underwhelming guard of honour to welcome the Premier League title winners, the Gunners quickly dispensed with the pleasantries and raced into a second-minute lead.
It was a misplaced pass by Robin van Persie, returning to Arsenal for the first time since his summer move, that led to the goal.
The ball was swiftly worked forwards and Tomas Rosicky threaded a pass inside Patrice Evra to release Theo Walcott who, despite looking offside, raced into the United area before calmly finishing.
The Red Devils tried to respond - Phil Jones missing with a great headed opening, before Wojciech Szczesny spread himself to deny Van Persie with his face - but the game was briefly more notable for a string of hasty tackles; with Van Persie, Jonny Evans and Walcott all picking up yellow cards for ill-advised challenges.
Then came a mistake from Sagna, and United's equaliser. The Frenchman gave the ball away to Van Persie deep in his own half and, in his desperation to make amends, took down the Dutchman inside the box as he threatened to shoot on goal. Van Persie coolly dusted himself down and, amid the boos from the crowd, buried his penalty beyond Szczesny. He did not celebrate the goal, his 25th of the league campaign.
The equaliser awoke the champions and they returned for the second period full of vigour, showing some of the pace and movement that that had carried them to the title in such style.
Arsenal were forced to defend resolutely to stem a series of United attacks. Substitute Ryan Giggs almost snatched a late winner for the visitors when his shot was deflected wide at the end of a searing United break.
The Gunners have three games to secure Champions League football, travelling across London next weekend to face already relegated QPR.
Get Premier League tickets now! Buy Chelsea FC tickets, Man Utd tickets and football tickets for Tottenham securely online now!!
Chelsea 2-0 Swansea City
Goals from Oscar and Frank Lampard sealed a 2-0 win against Swansea to boost Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish.
Chelsea had the upper hand throughout the game at Stamford Bridge as mid-table Swansea, who secured European football via their League Cup success in February, seemed to have one eye on their summer break with a lacklustre display.
Oscar broke the deadlock on 43 minutes with a low 18-yard strike following a neat interchange between John Terry and Lampard, who had entered the fray as a 25th-minute replacement for injured midfielder Ramires.
Lampard then doubled the lead with a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time after Leon Britton had fouled Juan Mata.
The England star has now scored 201 goals for Chelsea, putting him just one behind Bobby Tambling's club record.
About 1st4FootballTickets.com: Thousands of football tickets are on sale on Europe's biggest football ticketing website: We have English football tickets such as Wigan Athletic tickets, Liverpool ticket bookings and tickets to see Fulham. But also football cup tickets such as Champions League Final 2013 Tickets and tickets for the FA Cup Final.
Van Persie cancelled out Walcott's second minute opener shortly before half-time, much to the disgust of the home support - as Arsenal only moved an additional point clear of arch-rivals Spurs in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.
The 29-year-old Dutchman, playing back at the Emirates Stadium for the first time since moving from Arsenal to United in a 24 million pounds deal last August, certainly had a return he will not forget in a hurry.
After a rather underwhelming guard of honour to welcome the Premier League title winners, the Gunners quickly dispensed with the pleasantries and raced into a second-minute lead.
It was a misplaced pass by Robin van Persie, returning to Arsenal for the first time since his summer move, that led to the goal.
The ball was swiftly worked forwards and Tomas Rosicky threaded a pass inside Patrice Evra to release Theo Walcott who, despite looking offside, raced into the United area before calmly finishing.
The Red Devils tried to respond - Phil Jones missing with a great headed opening, before Wojciech Szczesny spread himself to deny Van Persie with his face - but the game was briefly more notable for a string of hasty tackles; with Van Persie, Jonny Evans and Walcott all picking up yellow cards for ill-advised challenges.
Then came a mistake from Sagna, and United's equaliser. The Frenchman gave the ball away to Van Persie deep in his own half and, in his desperation to make amends, took down the Dutchman inside the box as he threatened to shoot on goal. Van Persie coolly dusted himself down and, amid the boos from the crowd, buried his penalty beyond Szczesny. He did not celebrate the goal, his 25th of the league campaign.
The equaliser awoke the champions and they returned for the second period full of vigour, showing some of the pace and movement that that had carried them to the title in such style.
Arsenal were forced to defend resolutely to stem a series of United attacks. Substitute Ryan Giggs almost snatched a late winner for the visitors when his shot was deflected wide at the end of a searing United break.
The Gunners have three games to secure Champions League football, travelling across London next weekend to face already relegated QPR.
Get Premier League tickets now! Buy Chelsea FC tickets, Man Utd tickets and football tickets for Tottenham securely online now!!
Chelsea 2-0 Swansea City
Goals from Oscar and Frank Lampard sealed a 2-0 win against Swansea to boost Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish.
Chelsea had the upper hand throughout the game at Stamford Bridge as mid-table Swansea, who secured European football via their League Cup success in February, seemed to have one eye on their summer break with a lacklustre display.
Oscar broke the deadlock on 43 minutes with a low 18-yard strike following a neat interchange between John Terry and Lampard, who had entered the fray as a 25th-minute replacement for injured midfielder Ramires.
Lampard then doubled the lead with a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time after Leon Britton had fouled Juan Mata.
The England star has now scored 201 goals for Chelsea, putting him just one behind Bobby Tambling's club record.
About 1st4FootballTickets.com: Thousands of football tickets are on sale on Europe's biggest football ticketing website: We have English football tickets such as Wigan Athletic tickets, Liverpool ticket bookings and tickets to see Fulham. But also football cup tickets such as Champions League Final 2013 Tickets and tickets for the FA Cup Final.
