Arsenal Back To Winning Ways With Fulham Win Fulham 0-3 Arsenal Two first half goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and a third late in the second from To

Arsene Wenger witnessed the ideal response to last weekend’s home draw with Birmingham as his Arsenal side cruised to a 3-0 win over London rivals Fulham.

Two first half headers from Emmanuel Adebayor put them firmly in control, before the Gunners put the finishing touch on a dominant performance with a third from Rosicky ten minutes from the end.

Fulham's new signing Brede Hangeland did not complete his deal in time to play, while Jimmy Bullard was on the bench following a long time out with a serious knee injury.

Arsenal winger Tomas Rosicky returned after a virus but the Gunners were otherwise unchanged from the side which drew with Birmingham last week. Theo Walcott again missed out completely; with Toure, Eboue and Song of course all on duty at the African Cup of Nations.

First Half

The home side began the game with five across the middle as they looked to choke the fluidity of the Arsenal midfield, which was understandable for a side without a win in 11 games.

There was plenty of competitiveness in the midfield area in the first five minutes without any real chances being created. Fulham were doing their bit attempting to take the game to the visitors. On seven minutes Seol was played in well by Murphy, only to dither and see Clichy race back to clear the danger.

Soon after, Danny Murphy wasted a good chance when he fired his shot well over after some good work down the right by former Arsenal player Moritz Volz. Arsenal produced their first chance after ten minutes when Fabregas failed to connect properly following good build up play from Clichy and Hleb down the left.

With the first fifteen minutes gone, Arsenal were settling into their normal passing routine and seemed to be finding their rhythm.

That manifested itself on 19 minutes with the opening goal. Gael Clichy was fed superbly down the left by Rosicky before he produced an inviting cross from the bye-line. Emmanuel Adebayor rose early to beat two defenders and head past a motionless Anti Niemi to put Arsenal ahead.

The Gunners then took control of the game, pushing forward looking for a second goal. They dominated possession and were constantly probing at the Fulham back line.

The second goal duly arrived on 39 minutes from the same source as the first. The ball this time came from the right after Hleb worked himself into some space and delivered a good cross, Adebayor again rose early, guiding his header past a wrong-footed Niemi to put Arsene Wenger’s side firmly in control.

With the game seemingly under control, Fulham did have a great chance to get their noses back into the game with an opportunity just before the interval. Danny Murphy was again the guilty party as he fired wildly over the crossbar from 10 yards after receiving a super cut-back.

Second Half

Roy Hodgson sent on Jimmy Bullard at the start of the second half, resisting the temptation of bringing on a second striker.

Arsenal continued to press and created the first good chance of the second half. Eduardo bypassed two Fulham defenders with ease wide on the left before cutting the ball back to Tomas Rosicky. The Czech midfielder was unlucky to see his shot crash off the post and away for a goal kick.

The anticipated introduction of a second striker from Fulham duly arrived five minutes into the second period with David Healy, scorer of Fulham’s goal on the opening weekend against Arsenal, replacing Seol Ki-Hyeon.

The Gunners seemed to be cruising as the second half proceeded with it looking like they could score if it was absolutely necessary, but content to just toy with the Craven Cottage side.

Fulham did work a good opportunity on 70 minutes and had the ball in the back of the net only for the linesman to flag for offside. A Bullard cross from the right saw three Fulham players lining up to convert. Clint Dempsey rose to head past Almunia, but with Gallas leading the line and stepping up; the offside flag duly stopped any celebrations.

Arsenal deserved a third on 78 minutes after a superb move; Hleb bamboozled Fulham down the right and looked impossible to knock off the ball before feeding Fabregas through for a shot on goal; unfortunately the Spanish youngster was unable to put the finishing touch on a great move.

Not to be denied, the Gunners put the gloss on a commanding performance with a third goal on 81 minutes. Eduardo took the ball to the bye-line before cutting the ball back. Even late in the game, Rosicky showed great endeavour to burst into the penalty area and volley past Niemi.

With the game wrapped up, it seemed more humane for the referee to call time on the game with the Gunners rampant. If it had been a boxing bout, that is exactly what would have happened.

As it was, Arsenal reacted superbly to their loss of points last weekend to grab an important win in this London derby.

Line-ups:

Fulham:

Niemi, Volz, Hughes, Stefanovic, Bocanegra, Ki-Hyeon (Healy 51), Smertin (Kuqi 78), Davis (Bullard 46), Murphy, Davies, Dempsey

Subs not used: Warner, Baird

Arsenal:

Almunia, Sagna, Senderos, Gallas, Clichy, Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini, Rosicky, Adebayor, Eduardo

Subs not used: Lehmann, Hoyte, Diaby, Silva, Bendtner

Goals

0-1 Adebayor (19)

0-2 Adebayor (39)

0-3 Rosicky (81)

Cards:

Yellow: Clichy (66)

Attendance: 25,297

Referee: Peter Walton