Arsenal maintain winning momentum

Arsenal 2 Manchester City 1

Arsenal 2 Manchester City 1

Arsenal knocked north London rivals Tottenham off the top of the Premiership, and wrote themselves into the goalscoring record books in the process with a 2-1 win over Man City at Highbury tonight.

Goals from Barclaycard Player of the Month Sylvain Wiltord after 26 minutes and Thierry Henry four minutes before the break meant the Gunners hit the back of the net for the 44th consecutive top flight match - equalling the mark set by City in 1937.

They are now two short of the all-time record set by Chesterfield in 1931.

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City's reply came from former Highbury hero Nicolas Anelka. He was booed throughout by the home fans who used to adore him, but silenced them with a bullet header from Ali Benarbia's cross which cancelled out the first goal after 28 minutes.

City's misery was complete when skipper Ali Benarbia abused a linesman six minutes from the end and was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Kolo Toure, whose goal rescued a point at Chelsea, was introduced for Arsenal in place of Edu after 73 minutes and Kevin Horlock came on for City in place of Steve Howey after 78 minutes.

Toure wasted a shooting chance when he chose to cross instead after 79 minutes, while in the next minute Anelka did get in a shot at the other end, only to see Sol Campbell make a good block.

Arsenal ended the night where they will hope to end the season - on top of the Premiership, although Spurs can reclaim top spot by winning at Fulham.

Elswhere in tonight's other Premiership tie, Middlesbrough got the better of their north east rivals Sunderland to the tune of three goals to nil.

Two goals from Szilard Nemeth and a third from Massimo Maccarone secured 'Boro took all three points at the Riverside.

PA