Gunners too strong for Tigers

Arsenal kept pace at the top after scoring twice inside the final 10 minutes to secure a 3-1 win at Hull City.

Van Persie instrumental as Arsenal exact revenge

Arsenal kept pace with the Premier League leaders after scoring twice inside the final 10 minutes to secure a 3-1 win at Hull City. The Tigers had stunned their opponents at Emirates Stadium earlier in the season, but were unable to repeat the trick back on home soil. Robin van Persie, whose earlier free-kick was touched on to the bar by Boaz Myhill, created Arsenal's opener on 30 minutes as his corner was headed home by the towering presence of Emmanuel Adebayor. But City levelled on 65 minutes through Daniel Cousin as the striker, who scored in the reverse fixture, stole in at the near post to head home Bernard Mendy's deflected cross. Arsenal pushed for a second goal and were rewarded eight minutes from time when Van Persie slipped in Samir Nasri and the young Frenchman kept his composure to fire a low shot inside the far post. And the Gunners made the points safe on 86 minutes when Nicklas Bendtner and Van Persie combined for the Danish substitute to sweep the ball home from close range. Bendtner headed against the post in injury-time as Arsenal claimed a victory which leaves them six points adrift of leaders Manchester United.

Kilbane debut

City fielded an unfamiliar line-up. After playing an under-strength side in the midweek FA Cup win at Newcastle, six changes were not unexpected but Ryan France and Peter Halmosi surprisingly retained their places. There was a debut for new signing Kevin Kilbane at left-back while yesterday's loan recruit from Manchester United, Manucho, was on the bench. France's unexpected start, after spending most of the campaign in the reserves, meant he became the fourth Tigers player to play in all four divisions for the club. Geovanni, scorer of City's first goal at the Emirates, had the game's first chance after two minutes. The Brazilian confused the Arsenal defence with a late run while two other players stood in offside positions but he scuffed his shot. A chance opened up for Nathan Doyle moments later but the right-back shot straight at Manuel Almunia from distance. Arsenal's first opportunity came from a free-kick and Van Persie almost got lucky as his firm effort was deflected narrowly wide by Michael Turner. The visitors were almost caught after Geovanni sparked a counter-attack but Cousin's cross was blocked and his follow-up shot went well wide. Geovanni also curled in a dangerous-looking free-kick from out wide but Almunia safely gathered and another set-piece moments later was shot into the wall. Boaz Myhill produced a brilliant double save to deny Arsenal the lead after 28 minutes following the award of a dubious free-kick for a foul on Emmanuel Eboue. The goalkeeper just did enough to tip Van Persie's fierce shot onto the bar and then recovered to block from Johan Djourou as the defender pounced on the rebound. Yet City could not hold out much longer and fell behind as Adebayor headed home a Van Persie corner at the far post a minute later. Van Persie muscled into the area early in the second half but was penalised for a foul on Sam Ricketts. Adebayor then beat Turner to create space for a shot but Myhill punched clear. The hosts made their first change after 53 minutes when the ineffective Halmosi was replaced by new striker Manucho and the formation switched from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2.

Penalty appeal

Manucho's first taste of the action left him with a facial wound after clashing heads with Djourou contesting a bouncing ball in the area. City appealed for a penalty but referee Alan Wiley was uninterested. The Tigers snatched an equaliser when Cousin headed firmly past Almunia after Mendy's cross took a slight deflection off Gael Clichy. Mendy caused more problems moments later and won a free-kick on the right but Arsenal escaped further damage. Clichy was then booked for a foul on Mendy as the winger, clearly inspired by his role in the goal, continued to cause havoc on the right. City had the bit between their teeth and enjoyed a good spell but Arsenal still threatened in possession and Abou Diaby fired a good chance wide. Myhill then saved again after Bendtner, introduced in the 68th minute, worked his way into the box and fired across goal. The Tigers were exposed again after 82 minutes as Van Persie's pass found Nasri in space and the Frenchman shot left-footed across Myhill to restore Arsenal's lead. The Gunners then killed off the game four minutes from time as Bendtner played a one-two with an apparently offside Van Persie and finished clinically. Arsenal almost added a flattering fourth when Bendtner struck the post late on.

Hull City	Team Statistics	Arsenal
1	Goals	3
0	1st Half Goals	1
2	Shots on Target	7
4	Shots off Target	4
1	Blocked Shots	3
4	Corners	4
11	Fouls	19
5	Offsides	2
1	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
64	Passing Success	78.9
25	Tackles	23
72	Tackles Success	65.2
38.2	Possession	61.8
45	Territorial Advantage	55