Arsenal 2 West Ham 0

By Myles Palmer

 A remarkable and dramatic weekend of football.

Alex Song was Arsenal's best player as they beat West Ham 2-0.

Hammers striker Franco ran into Vermaelen and dived and, amazingly, the linesman gave a penalty. Ref Martin Atkinson was 50 yards away.

It was never a penalty, let alone a red card. Full marks to Thomas Vermaelan, a superb professional, for not telling Atkinson what an idiot he is. Almunia made a fine penalty save but TV misses the next game. Midfielder Song moved back to partner Sol, played very well, and will play at centreback at Birmingham next Saturday.

Arsenal's first goal came when Denilson banged a low shot into the bottom corner after 5. But the clincher didn't come till the 83rd minute. Fabregas is good enough to kick the ball against Upson's arm deliberately and that's what I think he did. The skipper took the penalty beautifully and made it 2-0 and those three points mean  that Arsenal are now second.

As Chelsea collapse, Arsenal keep churning out good results.

But Arshavin was poor. He said on his website that he couldn't breathe when he was running for the ball. He was only playing in very short bursts. He also said he had his leg "darned" on Saturday.

Liverpool started with a power surge by Gerrard that took him last Rio Ferdinand. He found Kuyt and his first time cross was perfect and Fernando Torres headed powerfully past Van der Sar in 5 minutes.

A stunning header by Torres but, very soon,  amazing gamesmanship by him.

When Mascherano stupidly tugged Valencia's arm five minutes after the Torres goal, Howard Webb gave a penalty and booked him.

As Rooney had the ball in his hands, Torres did something I have never seen in my life. He swung his foot and kicked up lump of turf out of the left side of the penalty spot. Webb did not see him do it and Rooney complained. I think Rooney was then obliged to place the ball on the right side of the spot because the other side was a hole. He did that and hit the ball hard to his right and Reina saved by diving early but Rooney banged in the rebound for 1-1.

Eventually, Park headed the winner in 62 from a Darren Fletcher cross. It was only the second goal of the season by the combative Korean.

In the end, Rafa is Rafa : a belt-and-braces tactical control-freak. He played two holding midfielders, Lucas and Mascherano, and it took him till the 83rd minute to take Lucas off and put Benayoun on. They were 2-1 down by then.

In commentary Martin Tyler said, "They're a sensational second half team, Manchester United. Two thirds of their goals this season have come after the interval."

Even now, on Monday morning, I'm astounded by the gamesmanship of Torres. But I shouldn't be. The difference between a footballer and a professional footballer is that a professional will take advantage of his opponent in any way that he can. A pro has a natural competitive edge that comes out in a thousand little ways.

Sir Alex's mate Big Sam got an organised, tough performance out of Blackburn, who battled back well after Drogba had slickly converted Anelka's early cross.

On a weekend where many key goals game from right wing crosses, Diouf headed past Chelsea's Ross Turnbull from a pinpoint cross by right back Michel Salgado.

After that 1-1 draw at Ewood Park, Chelsea are now third favourites with the bookies, even though they have a game in hand.

Ancelotti has too many players who are similar, nobody who breaks up their predictable pattern. Coming from Milan, he likes similar. This Chelsea can't surprise him or you or me or their opponents. Their 4-3-3 system looks too robotic. It's clear that all the off-field publicity has damaged morale. Two defeats by Inter have hurt them severely and the manager is mad to not trust Joe Cole more. He brought on Deco, not Cole !

Lionel Messi is now as good as George Best or Maradona.

Last night he scored three goals at Real Zaragoza and was brought down for a penalty which Ibrahimovic converted. Barca won 4-2 and the world's finest footballer will be at the Emirates on Wednesday, March 31. If you have a ticket, you'll see the sporting phenomenon of the 21st century.

Birmingham v Arsenal?

Well, Birmingham are a lot better than Burnley, Hull or West Ham.

But Arsenal can beat them 2-1. If Arshavin is able to breathe again. I think breathing is quite important in away games.

I'd like to think that the ref will not give a penalty for a routine challenge in the box. Franco never had that ball under his control. And Vermaelen got a toe to the ball, even the striker ran into him.

Arsenal have lost twice to Chelsea and twice to Manchester United but Cesc Fabregas says that won't bother him if Arsenal win the title.

It won't bother a million Gooners either.

Mar 22, 2010