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Arsenal overcame the dismissal of Thomas Vermaelen to go top of the
Premier League after a 2-0 win over West Ham at Emirates Stadium.
Brazilian midfielder Denilson fired the Gunners in front
after only five minutes as Arsene Wenger's men looked to leapfrog
Manchester United and Chelsea, who do not play until Sunday.
Vermaelen was then deemed to have been the last man when he
pulled down Guillermo Franco, and was shown a straight red card by
referee Martin Atkinson.
However, Manuel Almunia saved Alessandro Diamanti's penalty
and captain Cesc Fabregas - back from a injury lay-off - made it
2-0 with nine minutes left from the same spot following a handball
by Matthew Upson.
The Gunners could, of course, fall back down to third place
should both United and Chelsea win tomorrow, but after another
brave display, Wenger's youngsters remain very much in the hunt for
a first title since the 'Invincibles' campaign of 2003/2004.
Arsenal swept into the lead when Denilson won the ball from
Valon Behrami on the edge of the West Ham box, before playing a
neat one-two with Nicklas Bendtner.
The Brazilian needed no second invitation as he stepped into
the penalty area before sidefooting a low shot into the bottom
right corner.
The pair had also combined for Arsenal's stoppage-time winner
at Hull, where Bendtner tapped in after a long-range effort from
his team-mate.
The Dane then tried his luck from 20 yards, but was just off
target.
West Ham were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position 25
yards out when Sol Campbell bundled over Franco.
Diamanti's effort was well struck, but flew over.
The Hammers, who are hovering just above the relegation zone,
produced a decent response to their early setback.
Junior Stanislas got away down the right, and his cross was
almost met by Mido at the far post.
Fabregas and Bendtner combined to release Eboue into the
right side of the box, and his angled drive was just too far ahead
of Andrey Arshavin, sliding in at the far post.
Arsenal were reduced to 10 men a minute before the break when
Vermaelen was, on the advice of the assistant, adjudged to have
pulled down Franco as they chased a long ball into the box - and
deemed the last man by Atkinson who, from 20 yards away, went to
his back pocket for the red card.
Wenger was fuming - but will feel justice was done when
Almunia made a brilliant save down to his left to keep out
Diamanti's spot-kick.
Song dropped back into the centre of defence, as Arsenal
regrouped for the second half with Bendtner deployed as a lone
striker, which limited Arsenal's attacking options.
West Ham, though, failed to make the most of their extra
possession.
Matthew Upson, the former Arsenal defender, was cautioned for
tripping Eboue to concede a free-kick 25 yards out on the right.
Fabregas curled his effort around the wall, but wide.
Arsenal suddenly found another gear, lifted by the Emirates
Stadium faithful as Samir Nasri flashed a low ball across the face
of goal from the right.
West Ham were still a danger, though, as Diamanti's drive was
deflected behind for a corner.
Campbell forced a good save from Robert Green when he met
Fabregas' free-kick, before Nasri was replaced by Bacary Sagna as
Eboue went onto the right wing, while West Ham sent striker Benni
McCarthy on for Mido.
Arshavin's drive was well held by Green on what was now a
skiddy surface, before Cole cut inside and drilled a low shot onto
the outside of the far post.
Arsenal secured themselves a two-goal cushion and some
much-needed breathing space after Upson's handball with nine
minutes left, as Fabregas made no mistake from the penalty spot as
the Gunners recorded a sixth successive league victory.
