The Match That Shattered Records and Relationships

October 24, 2004 marked a seismic shift in Premier League history as Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Arsenal ended the Gunners' 49-game unbeaten streak. Emerging star Wayne Rooney, then 18, found himself at the heart of both the match's decisive moments and its bitter aftermath.

Key Match Highlights:

• Controversial Penalty Decision: Rooney's 73rd-minute tumble under Sol Campbell's challenge led to Ruud van Nistelrooy's opener
• Birthday Goal: The teenage sensation sealed victory in stoppage time on his 19th birthday
• Pizzagate Aftermath: Cesc Fàbregas' infamous food-throwing incident sparked lasting Premier League folklore

The Campbell Conflict Deepens

Rooney revealed on The Wayne Rooney Show podcast:

"Sol wouldn't even make eye contact during England camps. I kept saying 'We're teammates now,' but he was convinced I'd conned the penalty. The truth? There was contact - maybe not enough to go down, but when you're young in that pressure cooker..."

Historical Context of the Rivalry:

Legacy of the Feud

This clash marked:

1. The end of Arsenal's Invincibles era
2. A generational shift in Premier League power dynamics
3. The birth of modern football's media circus
4. Lasting tactical changes in referee protocols

Rooney reflected: "Those matches had this electric danger - you'd walk into the tunnel and feel the history. Today's derbies? Still intense, but missing that raw edge."