Hop into Football Daily’s DeLorean, close the gullwing door, and witness the journey back in time to 24 October 2004. Manchester United had just triumphed over Arsenal at Old Trafford, ending a remarkable 49-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League for Arsène Wenger’s team. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s contentious penalty and Wayne Rooney’s goal secured the victory in a fiercely contested match that would likely evoke intense reactions from today’s social media-savvy fans.
Wenger, known for his disdain towards physical play, was visibly upset as Rio Ferdinand escaped an early red card for a foul on Freddie Ljungberg. The match saw Robert Pires and José Antonio Reyes subjected to rough tackles, while Van Nistelrooy’s studs-up challenge on Ashley Cole went unnoticed by the referee. United faced their own challenges, with Arsenal committing 24 fouls, meticulously recorded by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The real drama unfolded post-match in the tunnel, where a brawl involving players, managers, and staff erupted. Amidst the chaos, a pizza was thrown from the Arsenal dressing room, striking Sir Alex Ferguson. The incident remained a mystery until Cesc Fàbregas, then 17, revealed he was the pizza-chucker, though he claimed it was unintentional.
The 'Battle of the Buffet' became legendary, and while both teams escaped formal punishment, the incident left a lasting impression. Tune in for live coverage of Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United and Tottenham vs. AZ.
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
