Fulham stun Arsenal in thriller
Robin van Persie's free-kick was not enough to stop Arsenal's second defeat in five days
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Wednesday, 29, Nov 2006 09:53
Arsenal and Fulham shared an action-packed game as the home side stormed into the lead and were two up after 20 minutes. Robin van Persie replied after the half hour mark but Fulham eventually ran out 2-1 winners.
A mere five minutes had elapsed when the first goal came. Brian McBride's from point-blank range as he met Claus Jensen's accurate corner. It was McBride's fourth goal of the season.
Thomas Radzinski doubled their advantage after 19 minutes when he collected Luis Boa Morte's pass and rounded Jens Lehmann to coolly slot home.
Van Persie replied with a trademark free-kick from 25 yards out as he curled the ball neatly into the top left corner of Anti Niemi's goal to give the away side hope.
The Gunners found themselves up against it when Phillipe Senderos was dismissed for a second bookable offence and there were eight other bookings in the game.
In a thrilling second-half both sides hit the woodwork, Luis Boa Morte for Fulham and substitute Theo Walcott for Arsenal.
Elsewhere, Manchester City picked up their first away win of the campaign by beating Aston Villa 3-1, through goals by Darius Vassell, Joey Barton and Sylvain Distin.
The former Villa Park man Vassell slotted home after 17 minutes after Bernardo Corradi had cushioned Hatem Trabelsi's cross into his path.
Barton bossed the game from midfield and got his just rewards after 32 minutes when he drilled in a right-footed shot that gave Stuart Taylor no chance in the Villa goal.
Gavin McCann pulled one back for the home side against the run of play midway through the second half with a rasping shot from 25 yards but Distin restored the lead ten minutes later as he marauded forward from defence.