Arsenal continue to set Premier League pace
Robin van Persie's goal proved the difference between the two sides
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Saturday, 29, Sep 2007 06:10
Arsenal maintain top spot in Premier League with 1-0 win at home to West Ham secured through Robin van Persie strike
Arsenal's rapid start to the Premier League season has continued with a 1-0 win at home to London rivals West Ham.
Robin van Persie scored the only goal of the game as he muscled his way on to the end of a cross from Alexander Hleb early in the first half.
West Ham gave the Arsenal backline a thorough work-out, particularly in the final ten minutes, but despite Dean Ashton going close on a couple of occasions they returned to Upton Park empty-handed.
Emmanuel Adebayor nearly extended his hot streak of form inside the opening minute as he sent a low shot skimming just wide of Robert Green's post.
The Togo international was instrumental in the 13th-minute opener however, orchestrating the build-up before playing in Hleb whose cross was nodded in by Van Persie at the far post.
Green had to be at his best to avoid conceding a second to the young Dutchman when he created the first excitement in the second half with a long-range effort that demanded a full-length save from the goalkeeper.
As the game crept towards its closing stages West Ham's attacks increased in urgency with former Gunner Freddie Ljungberg's celebrations were cut short by a linesman's flag after he thought he had netted an equaliser.
Dean Ashton saw a late header beat Manuel Almunia in the Arsenal goal but Van Persie was stationed on the line to prod the ball out of the danger area and ensure his goal remained the only one of the match.