Van Persie extends Gunners’ lead

LONDON – Robin van consolidated Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League as the Dutch striker’s goal clinched a 1-0 win at West Ham on Saturday.

Van Persie’s fourth goal of the season gave Arsene Wenger’s side their eighth consecutive victory and maintained their two point lead over second-placed Manchester United. Wenger’s team have been playing some of the most eye-catching football in Europe and they gave another demonstration of their style to take a 13th minute lead.Emannuel Adebayor’s pass out wide gave Alexander Hleb the chance to cross and he whipped in a perfect delivery towards van Persie.Robert Green got a hand to the Dutch striker’s header but it had enough impetus to go in off a post.Cristiano Ronaldo ensured United remain hot on Arsenal’s heels as the Portugal winger’s goal sealed a scrappy 1-0 win at Birmingham.Ronaldo struck in the 51st minute after Franck Queudrue’s mistake gave him a chance that he converted to mark his 100th Premier League appearance.While Arsenal and United are going well, their title rivals Chelsea endured a difficult 0-0 draw against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea manager Avram Grant saw John Terry forced off with a depressed fracture of his cheekbone after a challenge with Fulham’s Clint Dempsey and then had Didier Drogba sent off for two bookings in the second half.Dempsey and Paul Knochesky squandered chances to inflict a first home league defeat on Chelsea in 67 matches as Grant’s 10-men managed to hold on for a point that leaves them seven points behind Arsenal.Yossi Benayoun came off the bench to give Liverpool a hard-fought 1-0 win at Wigan.Israel midfielder Benayoun struck in the 75th minute with a deflected effort as Rafa Benitez’s side won for the first time in three league matches.Manchester City’s dream start to the season gathered pace as Sven Goran Eriksson’s side fought back from a goal down to beat Newcastle 3-1.Benjani Mwaruwari’s hat-trick gave Portsmouth a 7-4 win over Reading in the highest-scoring game in Premier League history.The Zimbabwean striker has been criticised for his poor finishing since joining Harry Redknapp’s side, but his first goals for seven matches ended that run at Fratton Park.He got his first in the seventh minute, then grabbed a second goal with a superb run and shot in the 37th minute.Stephen Hunt got one back for Reading on the stroke of half-time and Kitson snatched the equaliser after a mistake by David James in the 48th minute.Portsmouth regained the lead in the 55th minute when Hermann Hreidarsson got in front of Marcus Hahnemann to head home.Benjani put the result beyond doubt in the 70th minute and Niko Kranjcar got a fifth befor Shane Long struck for Reading.Incredibly that wasn’t the end of the scoring.Sean Davis made it six for the hosts in the 81st minute and then Sulley Muntari scored a 90th minute spot-kick.Then Shorey added a fourth for shell-shocked Reading.Nicolas Anelka rescued Bolton as Sammy Lee’s side held on for a 1-1 draw at relegation rivals Derby while Blackburn stunned Sunderland with two goals in two minutes to claim a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light.Nampa-AFPWenger’s team have been playing some of the most eye-catching football in Europe and they gave another demonstration of their style to take a 13th minute lead.Emannuel Adebayor’s pass out wide gave Alexander Hleb the chance to cross and he whipped in a perfect delivery towards van Persie.Robert Green got a hand to the Dutch striker’s header but it had enough impetus to go in off a post.Cristiano Ronaldo ensured United remain hot on Arsenal’s heels as the Portugal winger’s goal sealed a scrappy 1-0 win at Birmingham.Ronaldo struck in the 51st minute after Franck Queudrue’s mistake gave him a chance that he converted to mark his 100th Premier League appearance.While Arsenal and United are going well, their title rivals Chelsea endured a difficult 0-0 draw against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea manager Avram Grant saw John Terry forced off with a depressed fracture of his cheekbone after a challenge with Fulham’s Clint Dempsey and then had Didier Drogba sent off for two bookings in the second half.Dempsey and Paul Knochesky squandered chances to inflict a first home league defeat on Chelsea in 67 matches as Grant’s 10-men managed to hold on for a point that leaves them seven points behind Arsenal.Yossi Benayoun came off the bench to give Liverpool a hard-fought 1-0 win at Wigan.Israel midfielder Benayoun struck in the 75th minute with a deflected effort as Rafa Benitez’s side won for the first time in three league matches.Manchester City’s dream start to the season gathered pace as Sven Goran Eriksson’s side fought back from a goal down to beat Newcastle 3-1.Benjani Mwaruwari’s hat-trick gave Portsmouth a 7-4 win over Reading in the highest-scoring game in Premier League history.The Zimbabwean striker has been criticised for his poor finishing since joining Harry Redknapp’s side, but his first goals for seven matches ended that run at Fratton Park.He got his first in the seventh minute, then grabbed a second goal with a superb run and shot in the 37th minute.Stephen Hunt got one back for Reading on the stroke of half-time and Kitson snatched the equaliser after a mistake by David James in the 48th minute.Portsmouth regained the lead in the 55th minute when Hermann Hreidarsson got in front of Marcus Hahnemann to head home.Benjani put the result beyond doubt in the 70th minute and Niko Kranjcar got a fifth befor Shane Long struck for Reading.Incredibly that wasn’t the end of the scoring.Sean Davis made it six for the hosts in the 81st minute and then Sulley Muntari scored a 90th minute spot-kick.Then Shorey added a fourth for shell-shocked Reading.Nicolas Anelka rescued Bolton as Sammy Lee’s side held on for a 1-1 draw at relegation rivals Derby while Blackburn stunned Sunderland with two goals in two minutes to claim a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light.Nampa-AFP