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90′ +5
That'll do it for me, Shane Evans. Great match for Sunderland, but a big dent in Arsenal's title challenge. Good day, everyone!
90′ +5
And there it is! Sunderland have done it! Held Arsenal scoreless and taken the game 1-0.
90′ +4
Only seconds remain...
90′ +3
Yellow Card Armand Traoré
90′ +3
Things are getting a bit nasty here late on. Sunderland on the break and Campbell gets mowed down by Traore who sees yellow for his actions.
90′ +2
Yellow Card Kieran Richardson
90′ +2
Second card of the match goes to Richardson for a late challenge on Traore.
90′ +1
Gallas handles. It's called.
90′ +1
Four minutes added time...
90′
At the other end, Sunderland properly execute the low cross that Arsenal couldn't and almost get a tap in as Almunia mishandles.
87′
Another great ball in. Two Arsenal players in the middle waiting to latch on, but are unable to connect and tap it into an open net. Sunderland have gone to sleep in the back.
87′
What a lovely pass over the top by Song to Arshavin in the box. Weighted perfectly, Song's ball was just flicked wide by the little Russian.
86′
The Professor does not look best pleased on the touchline...
85′
Walcott with a nice run and low cross into the area that truly should have had someone on the end of it. No dice.
84′
Yellow Card Phil Bardsley
83′
First card of the game goes to Bardsley for a sloppy challenge on Arshavin. Tense moments now. Only about six minutes remain...
82′
Substitution 
John Mensah 
Anton Ferdinand
John Mensah Anton Ferdinand
82′
Sunderland keep the ball down in Arsenal's end for a bit, then make a switch with Ferdinand coming on for Mensah.
81′
19-year-old Henderson is down after a pretty rough knock, appears to be pulling it together.
78′
Going off is Reid after a great day. On comes Zenden to keep up the pressure on Arsenal.
78′
Substitution Andy Reid Boudewijn Zenden
Andy Reid Boudewijn Zenden
76′
The Gunners are piling it on now after the goal. Why not just play this way the whole match?
74′
Cesc throws in a diagonal ball to the far side of the Sunderland area and Vermaelen is there to hit it on the volley. Unfortunately for the Gunners fans out there, it sails over.
72′
Substitution 
Eduardo Carlos Vela
Eduardo Carlos Vela
72′
Substitution Tomas Rosicky Theo Walcott
Tomas Rosicky Theo Walcott
72′
Immediately following the goal, Walcott and Vela both come on...
71′
FINALLY!!! THE BREAKTHROUGH! FROM A SUNDERLAND CORNER, THE BALL IS KNOCKED INTO THE BOX AND IT BOUNCES AROUND AND DROPS RIGHT TO THE BOOT OF BENT WHO SMASHES IT BY ALMUNIA ON THE HALF-VOLLEY. 1-0 SUNDERLAND!!!
71′
Goal Darren Bent
71′
As I say that, Walcott appears set to come on. He could definitely change the game.
70′
Arsenal don't look the same without Van Persie. A lot of nothing being created.
66′
Campbell comes on for Sunderland in an effort to help out Bent up front. Off goes Steed...
66′
Substitution Steed Malbranque 
Fraizer Campbell
Steed Malbranque Fraizer Campbell
63′
Nearly 65 minutes in, nothing to speak of. Arshavin has come on for Ramsey though. Experience is needed for Arsene, apparently.
60′
Substitution Aaron Ramsey Andrey Arshavin
Aaron Ramsey Andrey Arshavin
59′
Sunderland working things forward and after a little bouncing of the ball around the Gunners box, it falls to Reid who fires over. The wetness of the pitch is playing its part.
58′
Reid with a nice free kick that surprises a few but goes wide. Almunia had it covered it seemed.
56′
The pressure is kept on high by Sunderland. Been their half in the first 10 minutes or so.
53′
Sunderland continue to break when Arsenal lose possession. Look good doing so.
50′
Not your typical Arsenal match so far. The Black Cats are doing well to shut them down.
49′
Gallas picks up a little knock thanks to a Bent challenge.
47′
The Gunners start out hot and force the issue with some nice short passes.
46′
There is the kick. Second half off and running...
45′ +2
Not much going on, but a productive first stanza for both teams.
45′ +1
And with the second-to-last kick of the first half, Cesc fires over the bar from about 25-yards.
45′ +1
Another good break by Sunderland sees Richardson flying down the left, but his cross to an open Bent lands safely in Almunia's hands.
44′
Apparently only one minute of stoppage time...
43′
Nearing halftime, little to speak of for either side. Keepers haven't been worked much at all...
40′
Sunderland beginning to edge their way back into this one again. Andy Reid being the catalyst.
38′
Great ball along the wing from Rosicky to Traore, who lofts a cross into the box that eventually bounces out to Ramsey who fires hard but is held well by Fulop.
37′
Nasri goes down after a tough by fair challenge by da Silva. Up after a minute or so.
36′
Sunderland are looking quite steady in the back. Shutting down most of what Arsenal are throwing at them.
35′
Lots of passing in the middle for Arsenal, little happening.
32′
The chance of the match so far as Song and Eduardo cut the Black Cats to shreds. A couple of one-touch passes and Eduardo was in on Fulop. His shot was awkward and he couldn't get it around the keeper.
32′
Even William Gallas is getting the action.
30′
Fabregas trying to impose his will on the match with a threatening run through the middle that culminates in some quality blocked shots by Sunderland.
28′
Darren Bent is a man on an island so far in this one. Maybe one touch, two tops.
19′
A virtually identical chance to the one previous, the ball is lofted into the Arsenal box on a Sunderland counterattack. Malbranque takes it again and again blasts over the bar. Nice break by the home side.
17′
Good stuff from Sunderland, though. Changing the pace of the game a bit.
16′
Sunderland finally get some nice pressure on Arsenal. A dangerous ball is played across the box that falls to Malbranque who fires it over from about 8 yards out.
15′
Good to see Rosicky out there after suffering from a long stretch of injuries. Looks good mixing it up with Eduardo up front.
13′
A long through ball from Cesc to Rosicky is barely cut out by a streaking Mensah.
12′
As you would expect, Arsenal are displaying a lovely combination of passes and interplay.
11′
Mensah almost caused his team a bit of trouble with a lazy back header. Eduardo was lurking, but da Silva was able to clear it away.
10′
The ball bouncing away from Sunderland every time they get ahold of it. Won't make Steve Bruce happy...
7′
Arsenal are controlling the pace of the match right now. The Black cats are trying to close down Fabregas and co. in the middle of the pitch.
3′
Good start by Sunderland, pressuring the Arsenal back line.
1′
Arsenal in blue shirts and white shorts to counter Sunderland's red and white stripes with black shorts.
1′
...and we're off!
Goal.com's Shane Evans with you ahead of the clash between Arsenal and Sunderland from The Stadium of LIght! Stay tuned for some classic Premier League footy.
Results
Times In BST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie
Striker Arsenal |
30 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Manchester United |
27 | 6 |
|
Kun Agüero
Striker Manchester City |
23 | 3 |
|
Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker Blackburn |
17 | 4 |
|
Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker Tottenham |
17 | 3 |
