Maa Ka Doodh

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident victory over Manchester United will prove a significant performance in the development of his young team as they look to end the club's trophy drought.

From the starting XI who won Wenger's last trophy - the FA Cup in 2005 - only Cesc Fabregas was in the side that defeated United 2-1 in a gripping clash at the Emirates Stadium.

There were doubts whether Arsenal had the resolve for a Barclays Premier League challenge but Samir Nasri's double breathed life into their campaign after dropping points recently to rivals Tottenham and Stoke.

"It was a very important result because I imagined what would have happened if we lost," said Wenger, whose side overtook United in the table.

"Mathematically, it was key to stay with the top and show determination, spirit and mental attitude.

"I knew today that was a big game for the future of the team. To keep in the race, you need to win big games like that - and it is vital for a young team."

Wenger himself has been questioned by a small minority of fans, although his name was chanted during this victory.

"I can take criticism," the Frenchman added. "I am in a job where you have to take that. There is only one answer - with your performance on the pitch.

"I didn't doubt the spirit of my players. We made mistakes but I didn't question the spirit, quality or ability to play for the championship."

Nasri opened the scoring when his half-volley flew in off Gary Neville, then he added the second after Cesc Fabregas had found him in space on the edge of the area.

Fabregas told Sky Sports: "It has been frustrating, with the results we have had - and to win a game like that is vital, to get back on track, we were talking about it the other day.

"When you see the fans singing and enjoying themselves, this is the best we have had this season.

"But because we have beaten Manchester United, we are not better than we were last week - and last week we were not rubbish as everybody was saying."

Rafael da Silva came off the bench to score and set up a thrilling final six minutes of injury time - but Arsenal held on for the win they needed.

"We went out to win no matter what happens," Wenger said.

"It's a team answer - we showed that we have the squad, and that has been questioned. We showed that no matter who plays, we have the spirit."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson called it "fantasy football", while Wenger added: "It does not matter if you love Manchester United or love Arsenal. It was a game for people who just love football."

After the final whistle, skipper William Gallas was the last off the pitch as he celebrated with fans.

The skipper said: "It was really important for us to win against Manchester United, because we want to stay in the race - to do that we want to win every game.

"The last few games we have drawn and lost, so it was important to win at home."

Wenger felt Gallas was not the only leader he had,

"You need a shared leadership on the pitch - five or six on the pitch," he said. "We had 11 leaders on our side because everyone took initiative at the right time."

Ferguson admitted Manchester United's quest for a Premier League title hat-trick was dealt a major blow.

"It is a big blow to us," he said. "We needed to win the game.

"Our results against the other big clubs is a big concern. It is a complete opposite to last year, when we lost at Chelsea and drew at Arsenal but won the rest.

"We have got to get above 85 points to have a chance of winning the league, so we must keep going for it."

While the industry of his side's performance meant it could not be used as an excuse, Ferguson once again questioned how the fixtures have fallen for United.

In the first half of the season they must play the entire top eight from last term away from home, while every Champions League group game, such as last week's trip to Celtic, is followed by United getting on their travels in domestic combat.

"They say the league is not handicapped - I am not so sure," he said.

"Having every game away from home following a European tie is not easy. Going from Celtic on Wednesday to play at Arsenal the following Saturday lunchtime is hard, although funnily enough, I did not think it was a problem today."

Ferguson felt if Cristiano Ronaldo had pulled a goal back immediately after Nasri had bagged his second, the Red Devils would have gone on to win.

Similarly, Wayne Rooney had chances to put the visitors ahead before Nasri had opened his account.

With Arsenal's confidence flaky, United could well have taken advantage, although Ferguson felt the pressure being placed on Wenger worked in the hosts' favour.

"Arsenal were inspired by people saying they were out of the title race," said Ferguson.

"The crowd were right up for it and the players were ready for the challenge as well.

"There was all this talk about so many players being missing but apart from Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie, who might not have played anyway, it did not look like a massive injury list to me."

Ferguson calculated United had 21 attempts on goal, following up their 20 at Celtic Park. Yet on neither occasion did they come away with a win, with Rafael grabbing the consolation goal in north London.

"I don't know if anyone else can create as many chances as that away from home," he said.

"It was a fantastic game. We could have been four up before they scored.

"You hope to do better than that in big games but it will come. We are making chances, that is the main thing."

Robbie Keane netted twice as Liverpool returned to the top of the Barclays Premier League after comfortably brushing aside West Brom 3-0.

Keane had only previously scored twice in the Champions League prior to his 12th league appearance for the club since his £20million move in the summer.

But Keane scored in the 34th and 43rd minutes while to secure the points while Alvaro Arbeloa blasted home another in stoppage-time as the Reds extended their unbeaten home record this year.

Meanwhile Arsene Wenger got the response he wanted as Arsenal bounced back from turmoil to defeat Manchester United 2-1, with Samir Nasri scoring twice at the Emirates Stadium.

Gunners boss Wenger admitted dressing-room morale was low after their draw with rivals Tottenham and defeat to Stoke - but this win breathes life into their campaign and lifts them above United in the Premier League table.

Wenger had Emmanuel Adebayor injured and Robin van Persie suspended. But Nasri provided the attacking threat, taking advantage of slack marking in each half to grab his fourth and fifth of the season.

Rafael da Silva, on as a substitute, volleyed home to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men hope - but there was no repeat of the memorable Spurs comeback.

Thomas Sorensen made a series of fine second-half saves to secure another valuable point for Stoke in a below-par goalless draw with Wigan at the JJB Stadium.

Sorensen pulled off a late double-save to deny both Amr Zaki and Antonio Valencia and also got down well to gather an effort from Emile Heskey.

Tony Pulis' men offered little in the attacking department besides a 55th-minute header from Ryan Shawcross which sailed into the arms of home goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

Jermain Defoe handed Tony Adams his first win as Portsmouth boss as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Sunderland.

The England striker converted an injury-time penalty after Black Cats substitute El-Hadji Diouf had tripped Glen Johnson.

Algerian midfielder Nadir Belhadj had earlier cancelled out Djibril Cisse's fourth-minute opener six minutes after the break, but the home side wasted a series of opportunities to kill the game off.

Matthew Taylor inflicted a third successive defeat on Hull, but it was Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who emerged his side's real hero in the 1-0 triumph at the KC Stadium.

For the first time since mid-April Bolton manager Gary Megson can reflect on back-to-back victories after Taylor's 50th-minute half volley was all that separated the sides.

However, such a feat would not have come about but for Jaaskelainen who produced a virtual one-man show for the remainder of the half to frustrate all connected with the Tigers.

Three goals in five minutes capped a sensational Everton fightback as they claimed a 3-1 victory against West Ham at Upton Park.

West Ham looked to be cruising to all three points when substitute Jack Collison scored on his home debut in the 53rd minute.

But an equaliser from Joleon Lescott in the 83rd minute was followed by a superb brace from Louis Saha in the 85th and 87th minutes to crown an amazing comeback by the Toffees.