Van Persie 'lucky to be alive', angry Fergie insists - Sydney Morning Herald

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You are here: Home Sport Football Article

Angry ... Robin van Persie reacts after clashing with Swansea's Ashley Williams. Photo: AFP

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson fumed that Swansea City defender Ashley Williams could have killed Robin van Persie during his side's 1-1 Premier League draw at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.

The Wales centre-back struck the prone van Persie in the back of the head with the ball during the second half of the match, sparking a furious reaction from the Dutchman that culminated in bookings for both players.

Swansea top scorer Michu had earlier cancelled out Patrice Evra's opener for United to prevent Ferguson's men from restoring their six-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City at the Premier League summit.

Swansea's Ashley Williams gestures after being booked by referee Michael Oliver. Photo: AFP

"Robin van Persie is lucky to be alive," said Ferguson.

"It was a disgraceful act from their player today and he should be banned by the FA (Football Association). Robin could have had a broken neck.

"It was one of the most dangerous things I've seen on a football pitch in many, many years. It was absolutely deliberate, and right in front of the referee."

Michu celebrates scoring the equaliser. Photo: Reuters

Williams claimed it had been an accident, telling Sky Sports: "I just cleared the ball with frustration and unfortunately it hit him in the head and he got a bit angry about it."

Swansea threatened first in the match, Michu firing off-target after out-pacing the returning Nemanja Vidic, before Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young tested fit-again Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm at the other end.

United took the lead in the 16th minute, with Evra getting in front of his marker to dispatch van Persie's corner and claim his third goal - all headers - of the season.

Magnificant eight ... Eden Hazard of Chelsea is congratulated by Victor Moses after scoring his team's seventh goal. Photo: Reuters

Michu headed over from Nathan Dyer's cross, but it did not take long for the Spaniard to find the net.

In the 29th minute, Wayne Routledge's cute pass freed Jonathan de Guzman and when his shot was parried by David de Gea, Michu followed up from close range to claim his 13th league goal of the campaign.

Vorm saved from Rooney again before halftime, while at the interval, Ferguson harangued referee Michael Olivier for failing to penalise Chico Flores for a challenge on van Persie prior to Swansea's equaliser.

De Gea thwarted Kemy Agustien and Routledge early in the second period, before van Persie hooked a superb volley onto the top of the Swansea crossbar from a left-wing Rooney cross.

Michael Carrick then hit the bar from a corner, while both van Persie and Ashley Young were thwarted by some last-ditch defensive blocks, but Williams' clash with the former Arsenal striker was to prove the biggest talking point.

It was United's first draw of the season in all competitions and leaves them four points above City ahead of the home game with Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Chelsea thrashed hapless Aston Villa 8-0 in the most emphatic victory of the season to climb to third place in the English Premier League.

Goals from Fernando Torres, David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic put last season's Champions League winners 3-0 up at the interval, before Frank Lampard marked his 500th Premier League start with a long-range goal.

Three Brazilian substitutes deepened Villa's woe - Ramires making it 5-0 from Lucas Piazon's pass in the 75th minute and Oscar netting from the penalty spot before Eden Hazard scored a fine seventh.

Ramires got on the score-sheet again in injury time as Chelsea recorded their second 8-0 victory in the Premier League after a previous annihilation of Wigan Athletic in May 2010. It was Villa's heaviest ever Premier League defeat.

AFP

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