both clubs entered the match in differing league form. manchester united lost 1–0 at home to nottingham forest on 29 september; the winning goal was scored by stuart pearce in the eighth minute. it was their third league defeat of the season and first at old trafford in seven months. by contrast, arsenal beat norwich city by two goals on 6 october. five points separated the two clubs at the start of play, with arsenal positioned second in the league table on 18 points, behind liverpool, and manchester united in sixth. ferguson assessed united's title chances in his press conference before the game: "at the moment, there is a group of six clubs behind liverpool at the top of the table. it is up to us to keep up with that group and be ready to seize the opportunity if it presents itself."