Arsenal 2-0 West Ham - Match Report
Arsenal laid their West Ham bogey to rest with a comfortable 2-0
win at Emirates Stadium on New Years Day.
The Hammers have obtained two notable records over Arsène Wengers
side in recent years. They were the last side beat Arsenal at
Highbury and remain the only team to have tasted victory at the
Clubs new home.
This afternoon they were aiming to become the first side to
complete three League wins away at Arsenal for 22 years.
That never looked possible after Eduardo volleyed home with only 72
seconds gone the fastest goal at Emirates so far. West Ham had
their chances but Emmanuel Adebayors exquisitely taken second in
the 18th minute virtually put the game beyond the visitors
reach.
Arsenal could have increased their advantage after the break but,
at the end of a tough Christmas period, they did not seem to want
to extend themselves too much.
And, of course, the victory keeps Wengers side two points clear at
the top of the Premier League.
The manager made four changes from the 4-1 win at Everton. Bacary
Sagna, Abou Diaby and Alex Hleb dropped out while Nicklas Bendtner
was suspended. Justin Hoyte, Tomas Rosicky, Emmanuel Adebayor and
Emmanuel Eboue came in.
That Goodison Park victory had only returned Arsenal to the top of
the Premier League because West Ham had produced a remarkable
comeback to beat Manchester United earlier in the day.
Their hopes of a repeat performance lasted exactly 72 seconds this
afternoon. Rosicky picked up the ball on the left and nudged it
forward to Cesc Fabregas. He swivelled into space and floated a
cross to the near post where an unmarked Eduardo chested the ball
down before firing home on the turn.
The Croatian may have taken time to adapt but, after a brace
against Everton on Saturday, this strike took him to an impressive
10 goals in 19 starts since signing from Dinamo Zagreb in the
summer.
More often than not, an early strike is crucial to Arsenal when at
home. It allows them to settle down and play their best
football.
However within 13 minutes of going behind West Ham had three
chances of drawing level. Mark Noble and Carlton Cole sent
deflected and dangerous drives just beyond Manuel Almunias
left-hand upright.
Then Noble skimmed a low corner to the near post and Anton
Ferdinand fired goalwards. Fortunately for Arsenal, Clichy was on
sentry duty at the near post and booted the ball away.
It was fast becoming an end-to-end game. The only difference
between the sides at this stage was that Arsenal were looking far
more likely to take the chances they created.
In the 15th minute Eduardo dribbled his way through and set up
Rosicky. But the Czech midfielder saw his drive deflect into the
grateful arms of Green. Then Eboue sent a low cross into the area
and Arsenal had faint claims for a penalty when Flamini went down.
However referee Chris Foy rightly waved play on.
West Ham were under pressure but still carving out opportunities
for themselves. Ljungberg fired a shot into the sidenetting then
Cole blazed over from close range.
So when Arsenals second goal arrived in the 18th minute it was
perhaps against the run of play.
Clichys long pass picked out the scampering Adebayor. He nodded
the bouncing ball past the onrushing Robert Green and, from the
acutest of angles, sidefooted a delicate shot across the goalline,
off the far post and into the net. A wonderful finish.
This was turning into a strange affair. West Ham had probably
created as many chances as Arsenal but were 2-0 down and nearly out
of sight. The home side were showing the same ruthless streak that
had been so evident in the second half at Everton.
However there was still room for a little sentiment when Ljungberg
hobbled off with an injury seven minutes before the break. The
former Arsenal midfielder appreciated his warm reception.
Before that John Pantsil had sent spectacular overhead kick just
wide. But by now West Hams enthusiasm was starting to flag a
little.
Cole was still a threat for the visitors however four minutes
before the interval Arsenal broke forward and had Adebayor spotted
Eduardo in space on his right then the game would have been
over.
There was still time for Arsenal to have shout for a penalty when
Jonathan Spector appeared to handle Eboues cross. Before the break
the Ivorian also saw a shot changed down and sent a header
wide.
West Ham had renewed energy after the restart but once again
Arsenal were the more clinical side.
Adebayor and Rosicky combined nicely on the left for the latter to
prod an effort wide. Just before the hour Eboues teasing cross was
nodded just beyond of the far post by the diving Eduardo.
George McCartney sent an effort wide for the visitors but by now
Arsenal had the game in a firm yet comfortable grip.
Hoyte, Fabregas and Rosicky had long-range efforts charged down
while Adebayor tried to lob Green from an extravagant
distance.
It was all too easy for Arsenal really. West Ham had run out of
ideas and bringing on Dean Ashton and Herni Camara did little to
change that.
The game meandered to its conclusion with the home side in utter
control.
The victory means Arsenal leave the festive period with 10 points
from a possible 12 and their lead of the Premier League
intact.
A very healthy way to start the
New Year.
