Thierry Henry finally displayed an extra
degree of finishing class as Arsenal recovered from a spirited second-half
revival by Fulham at Craven Cottage to secure victory.
Arsenal took an early lead through Fredrik Ljungberg but spurned several
clear chances, with Steed Malbranque securing an equaliser shortly after
the break.
However, Henry crucially struck just eight minutes from time before Dennis
Bergkamp confirmed victory late on.
Francis Jeffers made his first start since his £10million summer move from
Everton as the Gunners travelled to Fulham for a meeting of the Premiership's
two French connections.
Jeffers replaced Sylvain Wiltord as one of two changes to the side that
lost 1-0 to Real Mallorca in midweek, with Ray Parlour also coming in for
Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
It was more than 33 years ago that these two sides last met, but Fulham
are now on the up under Jean Tigana, who, after a brief delay, followed
in the footsteps of Arsene Wenger as manager of Monaco.
Tigana included £11.5million record signing Steve Marlet on the bench after
an knee injury that was sustained on international duty with France, while
Lee Clark was also among the substitutes.
The pre-match minute's silence following the appalling events in the United
States was impeccably observed, casting the importance of the game into
proper context.
However, the decision to play on has nevertheless been taken and Fulham
were immediately into their stride, threatening David Seaman's goal within
the first five minutes.
Martin Keown's wayward pass conceded possession and after a foul by Lauren,
John Collins' deep free-kick was met by Andy Melville at the far post only
for his header to sneak wide of the upright.
For all of Fulham's early pressure, Arsenal, who had previously only shown
any signs of danger through Jeffers' nimble touches, still managed to take
the lead on 16 minutes.
Robert Pires' low cross from the byline was pulled back to Henry and his
mis-hit shot was deflected into the path of Ljungberg.
The Swedish international was standing unmarked just outside the six-yard
box and reacted instantly to steer his shot past keeper Edwin van der Sar.
Arsenal were now starting to impose their authority on the game although
Fulham continued to threaten on the counter-attack, looking to use Louis
Saha's pace behind the visitors' back four.
But when John Collins did give Saha the chance to stretch his legs, he tumbled
over in a challenge with Ashley Cole and referee Alan Wiley pointed to a
goal-kick, with Malbranque also sending a free-kick just over.
At the other end, Arsenal came even closer as right-back Lauren flashed
a dangerous cross across the face of goal, with Henry and Jeffers just failing
to connect.
Then Lauren's ball over the top to Henry allowed the striker to reach the
byline and Jeffers came agonisingly close to converting the ball as it ran
virtually along the goal-line.
Van Der Sar also spilled a fearsome long-range effort by Henry but recovered
in time to grab the rebound despite Jeffers piling in with a hefty challenge.
It was Henry's turn to waste a glorious opening next, when Cole slipped
the ball to him after a powerful run, only for the Frenchman to blast his
shot wide from almost point-blank range.
Henry responded by attempting an audacious chip which van der Sar tipped
over the bar, while Vieira skied a drive and Ray Parlour shot wide as Arsenal
strode through the Fulham defence time after time. HT: Fulham 0 Arsenal
1
Fulham had comfortably dominated the first half against Charlton recently
only to squander several chances in being held to a 1-1 draw.
This time, they were the side to benefit from such profligacy as they equalised
within three minutes of the restart following a superb run by former Arsenal
striker Luis Boa Morte.
The Portuguese forward eclipsed Sol Campbell for pace, evaded an attempted
sliding tackle by Vieira and then crossed for £4.5million summer signing
Malbranque to finish with aplomb into the top corner.
There was now an added spring in the step of every Fulham player as they
tackled with increased urgency and bite to harry Arsenal out of their stride.
Still Fulham pressed forward as Arsenal, with Campbell and Keown both looking
sluggish, struggled at the back.
However, Sylvain Legwinski's far-post header was somehow saved by Seaman
using his body and the ball was cleared off the line amid a mass of players.
In an increasingly high-tempo game, Arsenal showed they were not out of
it either as van der Sar needed to produce a reaction save to deny Jeffers.
But with 20 minutes left, Tigana introduced Marlet from the bench to replace
Legwinski as he went in search of victory.
Saha attempted too much trickery in front of goal as Campbell blocked him
out, while Marlet's follow-up was saved.
But Arsenal still believed they could secure victory and after Bergkamp
and Wiltord both came on, it was Henry who put them ahead again with eight
minutes left.
Ljungberg was the creator this time, putting the Frenchman through on goal
but it was a classic Henry finish as he swept the ball home first-time.
Bergkamp confirmed victory with just a few seconds left as he swept an assured
drive into the top corner after fellow substitute Wiltord pulled the ball
back to him.
Teams:
Fulham:
Van der Sar, Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Symons, Collins, Malbranque, Davis,
Legwinski (Marlet 71), Saha, Boa Morte (Hayles 88).
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Clark, Ouaddou.
Booked: Legwinski, Boa Morte, Symons.
Goals: Malbranque 48.
Arsenal:
Seaman, Lauren, Keown, Campbell, Cole, Parlour, Vieira, Pires (Wiltord 81),
Ljungberg, Jeffers (Bergkamp 74), Henry (Grimandi 84).
Subs Not Used: van Bronckhorst, Wright.
Booked: Vieira, Keown, Lauren, Parlour.
Goals: Ljungberg 17, Henry 82, Bergkamp 90.
Att: 20,805 Ref: A Wiley (Burntwood). |