match report
Fulham0
Arsenal-3
Adebayor 20, 39, Rosicky 82


By Richard Clarke

Arsenal kept up the pressure at the top of the Premier League with
an excellent 3-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.

Arsène Wenger's side had slipped to second place last week after a
disappointing draw with Birmingham at Emirates Stadium. However
there were no slip-ups this afternoon. Emmanuel Adebayor gave the
visitors a stranglehold with a pair superb first-half headers — his
14th and 15th goals of the season.

Fulham rallied briefly in the second period but nine minutes from
time Tomas Rosicky slid in a fine volley at the far post.

The scoreline did not flatter Arsenal however this was more of a
measured than memorable performance.

For much of the afternoon it appeared this could be a significant
day in the title race. In the end Manchester United and Chelsea both
got late winners. But, after the sluggishness of last week, this was
Arsenal at their efficient best.

All they could do was win themselves and they did that with
something to spare.

Wenger made just one change from the side held to a 1-1 draw by
Birmingham City last Saturday. Rosicky had fallen ill on the morning
of that game, his replacement that day, Theo Walcott, made way this
afternoon.

It meant the Arsenal manager named the strongest line-up he had
available. It was no surprise because, for only the second week
since mid-September, Arsenal were playing catch-up in the table.

Fulham had been showing signs of regeneration under Roy Hodgson.
However they came into this game with only struggling Derby below
them in the table. Neither of their two new signings — Marlon King
and Brede Hangeland - were eligible today.

The opening was typical of a London derby. But the pace was so fast
that perhaps it affected the quality.

Fulham gave as good as they got in the opening quarter. Danny
Murphy's clever ball sent Seol Ki-Hyeon clear for a split-second but
there was danger at the other end when Adebayor's clipped cross into
the area nearly found the head of Eduardo.

However gradually Arsenal started to put their passing together. One
flowing move in the 16th minute ended with Fabregas blazing wide.
The final execution was poor but the build-up had been encouraging.
So it was no a huge surprise to see Arsenal take the lead three
minutes later.

Rosicky sent Clichy scuttling to the byline and his high, hanging
cross was nodded home powerfully by the leaping Adebayor on the edge
of the six-yard box. It was the Togolese striker's 14th of the
season.

The goal tipped the game in Arsenal's favour. Suddenly Fulham looked
inhibited and Arsenal looked imperious. Still, chances were at a
premium and the visitors came closest to extending their lead when
Adebayor sidefooted wide in the 27th minute.

The 24-year-old was proving simply too big, too strong and too
mobile for the home side. His second goal followed seven minutes
from the break. Hleb's inviting cross saw Adebayor breeze in and
guide a similar header into the same corner of the net.

Again it was a goal conceded far too easily by Fulham but the real
driver behind the strike had been Arsenal's willingness to fight to
regain a lost ball on the right flank.

With a two-goal advantage, the visitors were now prepared to hit
cruise-control. The vociferous travelling support even start some
early olès. However Fulham finally produced a decent shot across
their bows three minutes from the whistle when Simon Davies reached
the byline and cut the ball back for Murphy to sidefoot over.

Hodgson attempted to put further impetus into his side at the break
by hauling Jimmy Bullard off the bench. The popular midfielder, who
is yet to start a game since his horrific knee injury, came on to a
huge reception.

However it did nothing to change the tide. Within four minutes of
the restart Bacary Sagna nearly touched home a free-kick from Cesc
Fabregas. Then Eduardo beat two defenders with some sublime skill on
the left-hand byline. Rosicky met his low cross to the near post but
his snapshot hit the outside of the post.

Arsenal were unsettled somewhat soon afterwards when Senderos needed
treatment after getting a bash on the nose from Clint Dempsey.

Their concentration drifted a little bit and that loosened their
grip on the game. Fulham fired another warning midway through the
half when Dempsey nodded in at the far post. However the assistant
referee had long-since flagged for offside.

Later Antti Niemi also required lengthy treatment after Adebayor
caught him in the face following through.

Twelve minutes from time, Fabregas nearly prodded a third goal in
the corner but Bullard responded by curling a free-kick well over
the bar.

To be honest the visitors had started the game sprinting but, as the
minutes ticked away, Arsenal seemed happy to coast over the line.

That said, they did conjure up a lovely third goal nine minutes from
the end when Eduardo worked himself into space on the left byline
and the flying Rosicky fired in a low volley at the far post.