Monday, August 17, 2009

Arsenal enjoy six of best in early title warning

LONDON: Arsenal hammered out an early English Premier League title warning on Saturday when they crushed Everton 6-1 at Goodison Park, a timely reminder to Manchester United who begin their championship defence on Sunday.

Elsewhere on the opening day of the new season, Chelsea came from behind to defeat Hull 2-1 while moneybags Manchester City beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0.

Arsenal were 3-0 in front before half-time against an Everton side who finished fifth last time out with Brazilian midfielder Denilson putting the Gunners ahead with a 26th-minute curling shot that gave Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard no chance.

Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen marked his debut by heading in from a Robin van Persie free-kick and it was a similar story when the equally unattended William Gallas nodded in from a Cesc Fabregas set-piece four minutes before the break.

Fabregas made it 4-0 early in the second-half when he crowned a rapid, length of the field, counter-attack with a stylish finish before the Spaniard scored his second after being allowed to run free by the Everton defence.

Eduardo added a sixth two minutes from time after Andrei Arshavin's shot came back off the post before Louis Saha pulled one back for Everton.

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