Spurs consign Arsenal to another defeat

Arsenal’s poor start to the English Premier League season continues as a Lampard hat-trick inspires Chelsea at Bolton.

scott Parker
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Kyle Walker caught out Arsenal goalie Wojciech Szczesny with a 30-yard strike to secure the win [GALLO/GETTY]

Tottenham piled on the misery for north London rivals Arsenal as Kyle Walker’s long-range strike clinched a 2-1 win, while Frank Lampard hit a hat-trick in Chelsea’s 5-1 victory at Bolton on Sunday.

Harry Redknapp’s side condemned the Gunners to their fourth defeat in seven English Premier League games this season after Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny failed to deal with Walker’s swerving 30-yard effort in the 73rd minute at White Hart Lane.

Sixth-placed Spurs had taken the lead through Rafael van der Vaart’s cool finish in the 40th minute, although the Dutch midfielder appeared to use the upper part of his arm to control Emmanuel Adebayor’s pass prior to the goal.

Arsenal equalised in the 51st minute when Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey finished off Alex Song’s cross from close-range, but Walker settled a fiercely-fought derby when his shot slipped through Szczesny’s grasp.

There was more bad news for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, whose side are languishing just two points off the relegation zone in 15th place, as France right-back Bacary Sagna was stretchered off in the second half.

Inspired Lampard

At the Reebok Stadium, Lampard showed he still has plenty to offer with the sixth treble of his career as Andre Villas-Boas’s side routed bottom of the table Bolton, who have now lost six successive matches, to move back into third place, three points behind leaders Manchester United.

“It was good for him,” Villas-Boas said.

“He arrived with perfect timing into the box as he has done in the past years. His talent was never in question.

“It is not a question of age – it is a question of competence, and this squad is full of competence.”

The Blues took the lead after just 92 seconds when Daniel Sturridge, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Bolton last season, punished poor marking to head Juan Mata’s corner past Adam Bogdan.

Sturridge turned provider in the 15th minute as his perfectly weighted pass was swept into the net by Lampard.

Chelsea’s third goal arrived in the 25th minute. Sturridge’s low shot from the edge of the area should have been dealt with, but Bogdan somehow managed to push it into his own net.

Bogdan was at fault again when Lampard scored his second two minutes later with a tap in after the Hungarian goalkeeper spilled David Luiz’s shot.

Dedryck Boyata got one back for Bolton with a header from Martin Petrov’s 46th minute free-kick, but Lampard completed his treble when he exchanged passes with Didier Drogba and slotted home in the 59th minute.

Fulham win

Results

Saturday October 1

undefined Everton 0-2 Liverpool
undefined Aston Villa 2-0 Wigan
undefined Blackburn 0-4 Man City
undefined Man Utd 2-0 Norwich
undefined Sunderland 2-2 West Brom
undefined Wolves 1-2 Newcastle

Sunday October 2

undefined Bolton 1-5 Chelsea
undefined Fulham 6-0 QPR
undefined Swansea 2-0 Stoke
undefined Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal

Elsewhere, Fulham romped to their first league win this season as Andrew Johnson’s hat-trick inspired a 6-0 demolition of west London rivals QPR at Craven Cottage.

Martin Jol’s side had gone six matches without a victory, but Johnson struck from close-range in the second minute and Danny Murphy netted a 20th minute penalty after a Paddy Kenny foul on Johnson.

The game was all but over when Johnson scored again in the 38th minute and he earned his treble with a fierce effort in the 59th minute.

Clint Dempsey got the fifth six minutes later and Bobby Zamora sealed the rout in the closing stages.

“We had injuries and we were at sixes and sevens at the back and it showed.
They cut through us like a knife through butter,” QPR boss Neil Warnock said.

Swansea striker Danny Graham scored his first goal for the club as Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Stoke 2-0 at the Liberty Stadium.

Scott Sinclair opened the scoring with a ninth minute penalty after the former Chelsea winger was brought down by Ryan Shawcross.

Then Graham put the result beyond doubt when he lifted his shot over Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in the 85th minute.

Source: AFP