Van Persie Double Boots Arsenal Into Second Spot

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday September 1, 2008

By STEVE GRIFFITHS

LONDON: Robin van Persie fired Arsenal into second place in the Premier League as his double inspired an emphatic 3-0 victory against Newcastle yesterday.

Arsene Wenger's side made a spluttering start to the campaign but they followed Wednesday's demolition of FC Twente with another impressive display to move level with leaders Chelsea.

Cesc Fabregas's return from injury has helped Arsenal get back in the groove, but it was van Persie who opened the scoring with an 18th-minute penalty after Charles N'Zogbia handled Emmanuel Adebayor's cross.

Arsenal were in control and increased their lead in the 42nd minute with a typically flamboyant goal. Adebayor was the provider with a neat backheel to van Persie, who lashed home from close-range.

Denilson underlined Arsenal's superiority when the young Brazilian midfielder flicked home from close range on the hour for his first Premier League goal.

Paul Ince suffered a miserable return to West Ham as the Blackburn manager ran a gauntlet of hate during his side's 4-1 thrashing at Upton Park.

Ince has never been forgiven by West Ham fans for being pictured in a Manchester United shirt before he moved to Old Trafford in 1989 and they gave him another hostile reception on his latest visit to east London.

Ince must have known it wasn't going to be his day when Calum Davenport scored with a powerful header from a 12th-minute corner.

Christopher Samba's own goal made it two before Jason Roberts gave Blackburn a lifeline in the 22nd minute with a fine turn and finish.

Carlton Cole handled Steven Reid's free-kick in the West Ham area early in the second half but Roberts's penalty was well saved by Robert Green.

That was the turning point as Craig Bellamy's late goal killed off Rovers before Cole's 90th-minute strike added to Ince's agony.

The victory eased the pressure on Hammers boss Alan Curbishley, who said: "I've been around long enough to know that when the vultures are around it gets difficult.

"I've never had it before but you just have to deal with it. I'd rather it was directed at me than the players."

Portsmouth won for the first time this season as a Jermain Defoe double-strike clinched a 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

Middlesbrough striker Tuncay Sanli finally killed off 10-man Stoke to snatch a late 2-1 victory at the Riverside Stadium.

And Hull's dream-start to life in the Premier League came to an end as the Tigers were thrashed 5-0 by Wigan. Phil Brown's side had taken four points from their first two matches but Wigan gave them a reality check and collected their first league win this year.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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