Arsenal Late Show Denies Hammers A Point Arsenal 1 (Song 88) West Ham 0

Alex Song headed an 88th-minute winner as Arsenal snatched a dramatic victory to keep West Ham bottom of the table.
The visitors looked on course for a hard-earned point thanks to a string of outstanding saves from Robert Green.
He reacted brilliantly to repel a Cesc Fabregas shot in the first half and later thwarted Theo Walcott and Fabregas for the second time.
Samir Nasri hit the bar and Walcott the post before Song nodded in Gael Clichy's cross to seal the points.
The result keeps Arsenal second in the Premier League, five points behind leaders Chelsea, while West Ham stay 20th, cut three points adrift of any other team after Wolves shocked Manchester City.
Arsene Wenger's side looked to have hit a brick wall as Green and the tireless Hammers defence saw off attack after attack in the second half.
But their pressure eventually told thanks to Song's late intervention and Wenger's men can head into Wednesday's Champions League game at Shakhtar Donetsk in high spirits.
West Ham must now regroup ahead of their trip to Birmingham next Saturday and, despite this demoralising late defeat, they deserve plenty of credit for a resilient display.
Both sides arrived off the back of morale-boosting victories in the Carling Cup, but a return to league action brought with it a reminder of the current disparity between the two clubs.
While financially-sound Arsenal appear well set to launch a sustained challenge for the Premier League title, cash-strapped West Ham have struggled badly in Avram Grant's first season at the helm.
Having collecting just six points from their first nine matches, midfielder Valon Behrami had admitted his side were taking to the field "a little bit scared" - and a lack of belief was apparent in the early stages as they struggled to make it out of their own half.
The busy Andrey Arshavin shot wide after a flowing move and it took a superb challenge from Danny Gabbidon to deny Nasri, whose corner was then headed over by Song.
West Ham did well to emerge from the opening quarter unscathed and they soon settled into a tidy rhythm, looking dangerous from both set-pieces and on the counter-attack.
Free-kicks by Mark Noble and Victor Obinna caused trouble, Frederic Piquionne squandered a promising opening after surging in from the right and Arsenal had to be alert following Obinna's run and cross from the left.
The Gunners carved out the best chance of the first half when Song and Bacary Sagna combined to tee up Fabregas, but Green showed quick reaction to save the Spaniard's curling effort with an athletic dive to his right.
Arsenal were not at their fluent best but still carved out chances and Green did well to thwart Song and Sebastien Squillaci before the break.
There was a greater sense of urgency about the hosts after half-time and Nasri rattled the woodwork with a 35-yard free-kick to set the tone.
West Ham were working hard to keep their opponents at bay but Nasri, Fabregas and Arshavin began to station themselves higher up the pitch in support of lone-striker Marouane Chamakh and Walcott came on for Denilson as Arsenal went all out for the win.
Chamakh glanced an Arshavin free-kick straight at Green before Walcott latched on to Fabregas's sublime through-ball and watched his low strike come come back off a post.
West Ham once again had Green to thank for a one-handed save from Fabregas and, with time ticking, Wenger introduced Nicklas Bendtner in place of Arshavin.
Arsenal continued to press and it eventually paid off as Song rushed on to Clichy's floated ball in from the left and won the match with a close-range header.


Line-Ups:


Arsenal: 21-Fabianski, 03-Sagna, 04-Fabregas, 06-Koscielny, 08-Nasri, 15-Denilson, 17-Song, 18-Squillaci, 22-Clichy, 23-Arshavin, 29-Chamakh Subs Used: 14-Walcott, 27-Eboue, 52-Bendtner
West Ham: 01-Green, 04-Gabbidon, 08-Parker, 13-Boa Morte, 16-Noble, 21-Behrami, 22-Da Costa, 23-Ilunga, 30-Piquionne, 33-Obinna, 37-Jacobsen Subs Used: 09-Cole, 12-Barrera, 20-Faubert


Todays Other Scores:
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Chelsea: BR-Benjani, CH-Anelka, Ivanovic
Everton 1-0 Stoke: EV-Yakubu
Fulham 2-0 Wigan Athletic: FU-Dempsey (2)
Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur: MU-Vidic, Nani
Wolverhampton Wanderes 2-1 Manchester City: WW-Milijas, Edwards MC-Adebayor

Unofficial Champions In League Cup Encounter Newcastle United 0 Arsenal 4

They may have only just won the Unofficial Premier League title on Sunday but Arsenal had a non-title match tonight when they had the long journey north to Newcastle for a Carling Cup.


Ryan Taylor tried to clear the ball only for it to hit the Newcastle keeper and go into the net for an own goal on the stroke of half time.  Theo Walcott  made it two nil although Newcastle had reason to dispute the goal.  Replays showed Nicklas Bendtner blocking a Newcastle defender to let the speedy Walcott to slot home.


Two more second half strikes from Bendtner and a second for Walcott completed the rout for Arsenal as they ran home 4-0 winners.


On Saturday Arsenal entertain bottom of the table West Ham who had their own Carling Cup victory tonight but the Gunners will be please to see the game go into extra time and even though West Ham fielded a weakened side, some will have to recharge their batteries quickly if they are to get a results against a resurgent Arsenal who have now scored 7 goals in their last two games letting in zero.


Line Ups:


Newcastle United:  26-Krul, 06-Williamson, 08-Guthrie, 10-Routledge, 11-Lovenkrands, 14-Perch, 16-Taylor, 17-Smith, 28-Kadar, 29-Vuckic, 30-Ranger Subs Used: 07-Barton, 09-Carroll, 18-Gutierrez


Arsenal: 53-Szczesny, 06-Koscielny, 07-Rosicky, 11-Vela, 14-Walcott, 15-Denilson, 20-Djourou, 27-Eboue, 28-Gibbs, 40-Eastmond, 52-Bendtner Subs Used: 03-Sagna, 04-Fabregas, 41-Emmanuel-Thomas

Arsenal Crowned New "Unofficial" Champions Manchester City 0 Arsenal 3 (Nasri 20, Song 66, Bendtner 88)

Roberto Mancini had all week to make his plans for the weekends visit of Arsenal, all those hours studying formations and tactics.

After 4 minutes all that was thrown in the bin and there was only one thing left to do, try and stop Arsenal from running riot.  A task which unfortunately they couldn't do so Arsenal are the new UNOFFICIAL PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS.

A beautifully weighted pass by Cesc Fabregas put Chamakh through on goal only for the inexperienced Belgian defender Dedryck Boyata to come challenging in and bringing the Arsenal striker down just outside the area.  Despite pleas from Boyata and Vincent Kompany referee Mark Clattenburg had no choice but to show the defender the red card.

From that moment Arsenal's passing game was beginning to take over so it was no surprise when in the 20th minute a one two between Arshavin and Nasri saw the Frenchman through on goal and he slotted the ball past Joe Hart.

City were still creating chances but it wasn't long before Arsenal took over and just before the break captain Fabregas was brought down inside the area but the Spaniard saw his penalty saved by Hart so at the interval it remained 1-0.

The second half was all Arsenal so it was no surprise when a Wayne Bridge error ended with the ball in the back of the net, Alex Song the scorer getting his third of the season.

With City down to 10 men and captain Carlos Tevez injured (being replaced by ex Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor) the game was effectively over for the Citizens but Arsenal hadn't yet finished for the day.

Chamakh was replaced in the 84th minute by Danish international Nicklas Bendtner and it took the Dane only 4 minutes to find himself on the scoresheet.  

The 3-0 scoreline not only meant Arsenal moved up to second but it was also the Gunners first clean sheet for 16 away games

LINE UP:

Manchester City: 25-Hart, 02-Richards, 04-Kompany, 07-Milner, 17-Boateng, 18-Barry, 21-Silva, 32-Tevez 34-De Jong, 38-Boyata, 42-Yaya Toure SUBS USED: 03-Bridge, 09-Adebayor, 45-Balotelli

Arsenal: 21-Fabianski, 03-Sagna, 04-Fabregas, 08-Nasri, 15-Denilson, 17-A Song, 18-Squillaci, 20-Djourou, 22-Clichy, 23-Arshavin, 29-Chamakh SUBS USED: 07-Rosicky, 14-Walcott, 52-Bendtner

Weekends Other Scores:

Birmingham City 2-0 Blackpool: BC-Ridgewell, Zigic

Chelsea 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: CH-Malouda, Kalou

Sunderland 1-0 Aston Villa: SU-Dunne o.g

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Everton: TH-Van Der Vaart; EVE-Baines

West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Fulham: WBA-Mulumbu, Fortune; FU-Carson o.g

West Ham United 1-2 Newcastle United: WHU-Cole; NU-Nolan, Carroll

Wigan Athletic 1-1 Bolton Wanderers: WA-Rodallega; BW-Elmander

Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn Rovers: LI-Kyrgiakos, Torres; BR-Carragher o.g

Stoke City 1-2 Manchester United: SC-Tuncay; Hernandez (2)

Blackpool Spirit Not Enough To Stop Mancini's Citizens Blackpool 2 (Harewood 78, Taylor Fletcher 90+3) Manchester City 3 (Tevez 67, 79, Silva 90)

Roberto Mancini's Manchester City continued there fantastic start to the season today when they beat Ian Holloways Blackpool 3-2 today at Bloomfield Road.

The win takes City up to second in the table just two points behind pace-setters Chelsea but City had to work for the 3 points today as a dogged Blackpool.

Blackpool had long spells of possession but they couldn't unlock a tight Manchester City defense but they also showed they weren't going to be pushovers either.  It took City up to the 67th minute to open the scoring.  Carlos Tevez who has undoubtedly been Manchester City's star performer flicked a cross by David Silva and his shot went past Matt Gilkes to make it 1-0, although there was a case for offside.

Blackpool had there chances and in the 78th minute they got the equalizer they deserved.  Marlon Harewood's header went past the despairing Joe Hart yet the Bloomfield faithful had hardly stopped celebrating before they were behind again and it was that man Tevez yet again.  This time his shot took a deflection off Craig Cathcart and it as now 2-1.  Blackpool has their chances to get themselves back in the game but the inspired substitution by Mancini, bringing David Silva on for the ineffective Adebayor, saw Silva make it 3-1 in the last minute twisting past two defenders before launching a curling shot in to the far corner.  Game over indeed.

Blackpool did manage to get another consolation.  A Blackpool corner found Taylor Fletcher and his low shot went past Hart but it was too little too late.

Ian Holloway could take a lot out of this game.  His players put up a great battle against the moneybags from Eastlands but City were just a class above.  With performances like these Blackpool, who were odds on favourite to go down should find themselves safe whereas its looking like Chelsea only have one team looking at snatching there title.  Can Manchester City do it, I think they really can.

Next Title Match: Manchester City v Arsenal

Line Ups:

Blackpool: 21-Gilks, 03-Crainey, 05-Eardley, 06-Evatt, 11-Vaughan, 12-Taylor-Fletcher, 14-Grandin, 16-Varney, 20-Cathcart, 26-Adam, 39-Campbell Subs Used: 09-Harewood, 23-Phillips

Manchester City: 25-Hart, 03-Bridge, 04-Kompany, 07-Milner, 09-Adebayor, 11-A.Johnson, 17-Boateng, 18-Barry, 19-Lescott, 32-Tevez, 34-De Jong Subs Used: 02-Richards, 21-Silva, 24-Viera

Todays Other Result:

Everton 2-0 Liverpool - EVE-Cahill, Arteta

City Retain Title Manchester City 2 (Tevez 18pen, Johnson 75) Newcastle United 1 (Gutierrez 24)

Manchester City were not at their best but secured a hard-fought win over a spirited Newcastle to move second in the Premier League.

City took the lead through a Carlos Tevez penalty after Mike Williamson was deemed to have fouled the Argentine.

But Newcastle, who lost Hatem Ben Arfa to a suspected broken leg, levelled via a close-range Jonas Gutierrez drive.

Substitute Adam Johnson won the game for City shortly after his introduction with a superb low drive.

Despite still being four points behind Chelsea who beat Arsenal, the victory did move City second in the table - a sign that a spending spree that led to the club announcing a 12-month £121m loss on Friday might be beginning to show a return.

In their previous league match, City produced an impressive display to beat Chelsea 1-0 but they were unable to reach such heights against a disciplined Newcastle side, who will feel their efforts deserved greater reward.

But City's money has given them a talented squad that can start with the likes of eventual match-winner Johnson on the bench, which is a luxury Newcastle cannot afford.

This was demonstrated early on when the visitors lost Ben Arfa - who has impressed since joining on loan from Marseille following a strong challenge from Nigel De Jong.

They would also lose centre-back Fabricio Coloccini to a groin injury before half-time.

When the game restarted following Ben Arfa's injury, City quickly took control and were ahead in the 17th minute when Tevez improved upon his record of having scored half his side's goals this season with a fiercely struck penalty.

The awarding of the spot-kick itself was a controversial decision by referee Martin Atkinson, who judged that Williamson had fouled Tevez in the box when it appeared he had got a toe to the ball.

But Newcastle rallied and were firstly denied an equaliser when Joe Hart tipped Coloccini's long-range drive past the post before a superb strike from Gutierrez drew them level.

Gutierrez's initial cross was blocked by Kolo Toure but the Argentine winger collected the loose ball in the box and blasted a powerful rising shot past Hart from 10 yards.

For the remainder of the half, the industrious Newcastle were the better side but the chances fell to City, with Gareth Barry wasting the best of them when he was found in space on the right but firstly delayed his cross before eventually allowing Newcastle to block his poorly directed attempt.

The visitors were similarly industrious at the beginning at the start of the second half but only had a wayward effort from Wayne Routledge to show for it.

City looked dangerous when they broke and Tim Krul was kept busy by a powerful angled drive from Tevez and a low cross from half-time substitute Emmanuel Adebayor.

In search of something fresh, Mancini introduced Johnson - who the manager recently suggested should work harder to earn a place in the starting line-up - for Barry and the change paid immediate dividend.

In the 72nd minute, the England winger collected the ball on the right and weaved through two challenges before unleashing a rasping low drive that found the bottom corner of the net.

However, in keeping with their overall performance, Newcastle refused to lie down and maybe should have been given the chance to level from the spot when Ameobi appeared to be fouled by Joleon Lescott only for Atkinson to wave away the protests.

Newcastle would have one further chance to salvage something from the game, but Williamson was unable to direct his header from a corner on goal.


Line Ups:


Manchester City: 25-Hart, 04-Kompany, 07-Milner, 17-Boateng, 18-Barry, 19-Lescott, 21-Silva, 28-Kolo Toure, 32-Tevez, 34-De Jong, 42-Yaya Toure Subs Used: 09-Adebayor, 11-Johnson, 24-Viera
Newcastle United: 26-Krul, 02-Coloccini, 03-Jose Enrique, 04-Nolan, 06-Williamson, 07-Barton, 14-Perch, 18-Gutierrez, 23-Ameobi, 24-Tiote, 37-Ben Arfa Subs Used: 05-Campbell, 09-Carroll, 10-Routledge


Todays Other Scores:


Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal - CH: Drogba, Alex
Liverpool 1-2 Blackpool - LI: Kyrgiakos BP: Adam (pen), Varney