UFO Info Week-End

And to think that the possibility of history being made in this way

And to think that the possibility of history being made in this way might never even have been mentioned had Ruud van Nistelrooy hit his penalty kick at Old Trafford a foot lower in September.The wonderfully worldly Ars? Wenger, spotted waving his arms about in what looked suspiciously like excitement at five o’clock yesterday afternoon, had felt it inevitable that feet would come off accelerator pedals once the title was secured at White Hart Lane (Arsenal do pick their venues for these occasions) with four games remaining. In his irritation, he clenched his fists at the crowd, exhorting them to raise the level of their vocal backing.Paul Durkin, arguably our most respected referee, but adjudicating in his final Premiership game, gave one debatable decision against Arsenal. First Joe Cole’s right-footed drive looped off Lucas Radebe and was brilliantly tipped over, and then William Gallas wasted a free header. Eidur Gudjohnsen – as is his maddening habit – wastefully scooped crazily from Johnson’s floated pass, headed over from Gronkjaer’s precise cross and thumped a shot narrowly wide. Cole tried his luck from 25 yards but again it was tipped over.It was only a matter of time and when Johnson broke down the right Gronkjaer burst to the far post and dived low to head in for his third goal in three games. Confidence is an elusive, wonderful thing and the Dane combined forcefully with Wayne Bridge thereafter.Half-time did not puncture the pressure.

Cole, with exquisite footwork, provided for Frank Lampard whose header just cleared the crossbar. It was a show-pony trick by Cole but, for once, with a thoroughbred’s delivery. Unlike his own attempted finish moments later when he collected Johnson’s short pass only to curl the ball over. Carson spilled Lampard’s shot and held on to Gudjohnsen’s drive before Cole skied a last opportunity provided by the energy of Gronkjaer.No more goals would come Ranieri was denied that emphatic win. The Italian himself provided some flair – withdrawing John Terry, allowing him a standing ovation and handing the captain’s armband to Lampard before he was also taken off for the crowd’s appreciation A touch of class from a class act.

It would be nice if, as he hopes, it is au revoir rather than goodbye.Chelsea 1 Leeds United 0 Gronkjaer 20Half-time: 1-0 Attendance: 41,276. The Frenchman dispatched an attempt over the bar, but it surely mattered not a jot There was a pile of ammunition. It was just a matter of time before the Gunners found their range Leicester’s Paul Dickov thought not. The diminutive Scottish striker reacted to Frank Sinclair’s prompt with aplomb. Mission Possible? The vaguest hint of concern niggled away at Wenger Henry watched a lethal effort deflect wide for a corner.