West Ham United 0-2 Arsenal

Theo Walcott brought the game to life on twenty minutes with a run from the halfway line that ended with im crashing his shot against the crossbar.

Bellamy missed the best chance of the half and his pace on the counter-attack was a threat throughout the match.

In the second half, Robin van Persie hit the post.
The deadlock was broken by a Julien Faubert's own goal as Emmanuel Adebayor's scuffed shot was deflected beyond Robert Green by Faubert. 

In injury time, Adebayor ran from the centre circle to finish off a perfect Nicklas Bendtner pass.

West Ham striker Carlton Cole was then sent off in injury time for a foul on Alex Song.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:

"It was a big win for us. To come out of it with a frustrating 0-0 would have felt like a wasted opportunity to get closer to the top.

"We knew before the game we could not drop points. West Ham can also feel frustrated because they defended well and gave everything."

On goalscoring substitute Emmanuel Adebayor, Wenger added: "Last year I over-used him and now we go into a period where we play every three days, which is why I want to rotate a little bit."

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
"I know it might look crazy, but I am not worried at all because we are going to get through this.

"It would be easy for me to have a go at them, but the players' commitment is fantastic and their attitude is perfect."

On Cole's sending off, Zola added: "I was not happy about the tackle, but I do not think it was a straight red card, maybe a yellow would have been better."

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Mullins, Parker (Boa Morte 77), Bowyer (Sears 89), Di Michele (Etherington 78), Bellamy, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Davenport, Collison.

Sent Off: Cole (90).

Booked: Parker, Faubert.

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Silvestre, Clichy, Walcott (Adebayor 67), Fabregas, Song Billong, Nasri (Diaby 68), Bendtner, Van Persie (Sagna 90).
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Toure, Ramsey, Djourou.

Booked: Fabregas, Clichy, Song Billong.

Goals: Faubert 75 og, Adebayor 90.

Att: 34,802

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).