• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Compilation video of referee Mike Riley's 'scandalous' performance in 2004's 'Battle of the Buffet' goes viral

Home> Football

Updated 12:54 4 Sep 2022 GMT+1Published 12:52 4 Sep 2022 GMT+1

Compilation video of referee Mike Riley's 'scandalous' performance in 2004's 'Battle of the Buffet' goes viral

Manchester United's win over Arsenal remains one of the most controversial in Premier League history.

The SPORTbible Team

The SPORTbible Team

Manchester United's 2-0 win over Arsenal in October 2004 remains one of the most controversial in Premier League history.

United ended the Gunners' unprecedented 49-game unbeaten run in the league with a hard-fought victory at Old Trafford, in a match later dubbed the 'Battle of the Buffet' because of the chaotic post-match scenes that followed.

Mike Riley faced intense criticism for his refereeing performance, with many of his key decisions going in favour of the home side.

A compilation video of the match, posted to Twitter by fan account Gunner_Thoughts, has now gone viral ahead of Sunday's Premier League match between Arsenal and United at Old Trafford.

The video, posted with the caption "Watch. Remember. Hate.", shows the late Jose Antonio Reyes being targeted by United players throughout the match, a tactic which captain Gary Neville later admitted was deliberate.

Advert

The persistent kicking of the Spaniard was largely unpunished by Riley, with the Neville brothers - Gary and Phil - the only players receiving yellow cards.

A young Wayne Rooney was typically aggressive and in the thick of it and he produced a horrendous dive for the Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty that opened the scoring.

Riley was conned into thinking Sol Campbell had tripped up Rooney in the area when in fact there was no contact.

Advert

Rooney would later wrap up the points in the 93rd minute.

Van Nistelrooy, who wasn't on great terms with Arsenal players after previous events, also avoided a red card for a shocker of a tackle on Ashley Cole.

However, he later received a three-match ban for serious play.

Rio Ferdinand could also easily have been given his marching orders for bringing down Freddie Ljungberg when the Swede was through on goal in the first half.

Advert

United ended Arsenal's unbeaten run in the Premier League (Image: Alamy)
United ended Arsenal's unbeaten run in the Premier League (Image: Alamy)

Champions Arsenal lost their Invincibles status and former manager Arsene Wenger said Riley had "decided the game, like we know he can do at Old Trafford".

Wenger also branded Van Nistelrooy a "cheat" - comments which saw him later fined £15,000.

It also kicked off in the tunnel after full-time – with former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson alleged to have had a slice of pizza thrown at him in the fracas.

Advert

A young Cesc Fabregas was the perceived culprit and years later, appearing on Sky One show 'A League Of Their Own', the Spaniard confirmed it was indeed him.

United and Arsenal renew their rivalry on Sunday, with the Gunners looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Advert

Mikel Arteta's side are one point clear of defending champions Manchester City at the top of the table.

United, meanwhile, are eighth but can move up to fourth with a victory.

Featured Image Credit: Premier League

Topics: Manchester United, Arsenal, Football, Premier League

The SPORTbible Team
The SPORTbible Team

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Compilation of Manuel Ugarte's performance on Uruguay duty goes viral ahead of Man Utd debut
  • Jarred Gillett is 'banned' from officiating two Premier League clubs as Arsenal fans fume over referee selection
  • Gary Neville spots 'real reason' Bruno Fernandes missed penalty against Fulham as footage goes viral
  • Footage of Kobbie Mainoo after Fulham draw goes viral as he's left on the bench again

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Sky SportsSky Sports
    an hour ago

    Man Utd fans think Ruben Amorim has 'lost the dressing room' as damning interview emerges

    Manchester United were beaten by Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    an hour ago

    Carabao Cup third round draw in full as Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City learn opponents

    The draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup has been made.

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    2 hours ago

    Man Utd make Ruben Amorim sack decision after humiliating defeat by Grimsby

    Manchester United were beaten by Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    2 hours ago

    Benjamin Sesko's stats against Grimsby emerge and they look like a typo

    Benjamin Sesko made his first start for Manchester United against Grimsby Town.

    Football