Van Nistelrooy and Rooney end Arsenal's unbeaten run

Photo caption B: Soccer (AP/Scott Heppel)

Arsenal's Edu (left) of Brazil tussles with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford. Manchester United ended Arsenal's record unbeaten run at 49 and re-ignited its own championship challenge as a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty and a late Rooney tap-in secured it a priceless 1-0 victory on Sunday. The two Premier League heavyweights had slugged it out toe to toe without creating any clear chances until Rooney tripped over the trailing leg of center back Sol Campbell. Van Nistelrooy, who hit the bar with a penalty in the goalless corresponding fixture last season, this time found the target in the 73rd minute and Rooney completed the win - and capped a memorable 19th birthday - with a breakaway goal in injury time. It was the champions' first defeat since they lost 3-2 at home to Leeds United on 4 May 2003. Arsenal still leads the league on 25 points, two clear of Chelsea, but United is back in contention on 17.