Arsenal beat Blackpool to maintain pressure on Man Utd

Arsenal down Blackpool 3-1 to maintain pressure on League leaders Manchester United

Arsenal beat Blackpool to maintain pressure on Man Utd

Arsenal down Blackpool 3-1 to maintain pressure on League leaders Manchester United

Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue scores past Blackpool's Craig Cathcart (right) during yesterday's Premier League match at Bloomfield Road in Blackpool. Arsenal won 3-1. PIC/AFP

Arsenal faced disruption before kick-off with Manuel Almunia picking up a knee injury in the warm up and having to be replaced by Lehmann.

With 17 minutes gone, Arsenal cut the hosts apart with a swift break. Diaby won the ball in his own half and fed Fabregas, who clipped into space down the left for Van Persie. And the Dutchman rolled a simple pass across the area for Diaby to tap in at the far post.

Arsenal doubled their lead three minutes later when Eboue swapped passes with Jack Wilshere, burst into the area past Varney and thumped a shot past Kingson.

Six minutes into the second period, Blackpool struck back with a fine effort of their own.

Wilshere brought down Varney on half-way but the referee waved play on and Jason Puncheon played DJ Campbell in behind the defence.

Lehmann pulled the Blackpool striker down but again advantage was played as Taylor-Fletcher squeezed a shot in at the far post.

Van Persie made no mistake when he got on the end of a cross from Theo Walcott to score Arsenal's third in the 76th minute.
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The Gunners will still believe they can catch United as they have a game in hand on Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who also have to travel to the Emirates Stadium for a potentially decisive clash on May 1.

Wenger said: "We are on a long unbeaten run and I knew we'd still have a chance if we won this game.

"We must win the game in hand. But let's first win our next game against Liverpool on Sunday."

Aston Villa win 1-0
Elsewhere, James Collins eased the pressure on Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier as his header secured a 1-0 win over Newcastle.

He headed the only goal midway through the first half and spent the rest of the match keeping Newcastle's forwards at bay.

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