Reds record first win at Arsenal for 11 years

Liverpool claim their first win of the season against Arsenal while Newcastle beat fierce rivals Sunderland in derby.

Kenny Dalglish
Arsene Wenger
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks dejected during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on August 20, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Arsene Wenger looks dejected watching his team struggle to overcome their dip in form and fortune [GALLO/GETTY] 

Liverpool and Arsenal are two English Premier League clubs with very little in common at the moment. 

While Liverpool are buoyant after the permanent appointment of “King Kenny” Dalglish and a summer spending spree, Arsenal’s fortunes just go from bad to worse.

The Gunners recorded their first defeat of the season to Liverpool on Saturday, conceding two goals late on. 

The 2-0 defeat came on the back of losing their best player Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona, and Alex Song and Gervinho to suspensions.

Emmanuel Frimpong gave manager Arsene Wenger another headache when he was sent off following a dangerous tackle on Lucas with twenty minutes to go.

Arsenal fans are quickly becoming disenchanted with Wenger who refuses to spend money on new players in the transfer window – despite the rumours that Samir Nasri will soon follow Fabregas out the door, with Manchester City waiting in the wings.

In Liverpool’s first victory at Arsenal for 11 years, the goals came from an own goal and a Luis Suarez strike.

Aaron Ramsey inadvertently gave Liverpool their opener in the 78th minute when Ignasi Miquel’s attempted clearance came off the midfielder’s chest and went into the net.

The second came in stoppage time, with Luis Suarez sweeping the ball home after latching onto a cross from fellow substitute Raul Meireles.

Arsenal, who like Liverpool had drawn their opening match last week, were jeered off the Emirates Stadium pitch.

Making matters worse, Arsenal’s injury problems mounted with Laurent Koscielny replaced after 15 minutes with a back injury.

One answer to the injuries and suspensions would be for Wenger to secure some high-profile signings before the end of the transfer window. 

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       Newcastle score from a free-kick to take victory in their notorious Tyne-Wear derby [GALLO/GETTY] 

If his team’s fortunes continue much longer, his job may soon be on the line.

In the other early kick-off, Newcastle earned the bragging rights in the Tyne-Wear derby as Ryan Taylor’s free-kick clinched a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Taylor struck with a curling effort in the second half to give the Magpies their first Premier League win of the season and leave Sunderland still with only one home victory over their hated neighbours in the last 30 years.

Alan Pardew’s side, who drew with Arsenal last weekend, took the lead in the 62nd minute when Taylor’s set-piece eluded Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Newcastle felt they should have been ahead already after Sebastian Larsson used his arm to keep out Joey Barton’s goal-bound header in the first half, but referee Howard Webb gave a corner.

To make matters worse for the Black Cats, defender Phil Bardsley was sent off in the last minute for a foul on Fabricio Coloccini.

Source: News Agencies