Emmanuel Adebayor was on target once again as Arsenal defeated Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United, 3-0, for the second time in four days at the Emirates Stadium. The lanky striker scored twice in the FA Cup fourth-round victory on Saturday and opened the scoring once again in the Premier League victory on Tuesday, taking his recent goal-scoring tally to an impressive nine goals in his last seven appearances for the Gunners.

After the match, Manager Arsene Wenger described the Togo international as a "dream striker" who continues to go from "strength to strength." Center midfielder Fabregas was full of even more praise: "Emmanuel is one of the best in the world, without any doubt," the Spaniard declared. "You can not fault him in any way. He works, he defends, he chases the centre-backs, he goes behind, he can play to feet, he has a good first touch and a good technique. He has improved amazingly and for us I don't think we could live without Adebayor right now."

The 3-0 victory lifted the Gunners back to the top of the English Premiership, although the lead could be short-lived, as second-place Manchester United hosts Portsmouth later today. The Red Devils are three points behind Arsenal, but have a superior goal differential. In other action yesterday, Clint Dempsey was the only American to start for Fulham in a 0-0 draw against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. New signing Eddie Johnson was not on the Fulham team sheet. Elsewhere, fellow relegation fighter Birmingham City lost to Sunderland, 2-0, while Middlesbrough scraped past 18th-place Wigan, 1-0.

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