Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United

Robin Van Persie stole the show as Arsenal cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over a tired looking Newcastle United at the Emirates.

The signs looked ominous for the visitors as early as the second minute when Dutchman Van Persie had a good claim for a penalty kick turned down by referee Rob Styles after a tackle from Fabricio Coloccini. However, he only had to wait until the 18th minute to try his luck from the spot as Charles N'Zogbia needlessly handled an Emmanuel Adebayor cross.

Van Persie stepped up and drove the ball past the dive of Shay Given, who guessed the right way but could do nothing to stop his side going a goal behind.

Newcastle steadied a very rocky ship and looked to be building themselves a foothold in the game, only for Emmanuel Eboue to burst into the box and delightfully backheel the ball into the path of Van Persie who fired home from close range.

In the second half, Arsenal attacked at will and there were chances aplenty for Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Van Persie, substitute Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri. However, it was Brazilian midfielder Denilson that closed out the scoring when he bagged his first-ever Premier League goal just after the hour mark at the end of another flowing Gunners move.

Kevin Keegan brought on Joey Barton in the final moments and the former Manchester City midfielder was greeted to very loud chorus of boos and jeers from the home fans.