EPL: Arsenal v Newcastle United

Arsenal played a more conventional lineup today than last week, starting Adebayor, Fabregas, Hleb and Flamini, giving them a considerable advantage in midfield against a Newcastle United side that tried to push forward and were rewarded with (at last count) eight offsides penalties, many of which were too close to call. Nonetheless, Arsenal struck when they had chances, as in the 40th minute when Mathieu Flamini attacked down the left flank, hurtling a defender's tackle and running toward the flag. Flamini's cross was perfect, meeting an onrushing Adebayor who outmuscled his opponent to the ball and headed it home. Arsenal dominated the possession battle (59-41) and the second half saw more of the same, as Owen and Smith were called offside more often than they deserved. Arsenal's second goal came in the 73rd minute, when Flamini blasted a curling shot from the upper-left side of the box: the ball curled to the outside, away from the goalkeeper and into the side netting. Arsenal's final goal came in the 80th minute, and should have been called offsides, but the refs seemed a bit preferential and let it go, allowing Bendtner to one-touch the ball to Fabregas who ripped a volley with his left into the back of the net. Arsenal played very well, Hleb looked electrifying, Fabregas played his role well as usual but Flamini made the game his, tackling well and assiting on the game-winner and scoring the insurance goal on a play he created himself, from outside the box. Newcastle's scoreline could have differed quite a bit but the offsides calls hurt their determination and some were simply wrong.