Pires shoots Arsenal to the top

It took longer than anticipated in the amount of time and it took longer than anticipated in patience, but Arsenal finally broke down Derby County last night to give themselves a two-point lead at the top of the Premiership and thereby infuriate Alex Ferguson all the more.

But it was a duo Ferguson did not complain about - Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires - who eventually supplied the little extra after Arsenal had appeared to have given everything already.

Sixty-eight minutes of Derby defiance had left Arsenal shooting from distance, when Bergkamp deftly delivered the ball into the path of Pires to beat Andy Oakes.

It had seemed as if the goal would never come, especially when Thierry Henry was guilty of an inexplicable miss minutes earlier, but Pires's intervention meant that Arsenal's unbeaten record was extended to 18 matches. They are the Premiership's team on form, at the right time, and for the others it is a case of catch-up now.

When the first incident of note featured one of Ferguson's former Old Trafford charges, Danny Higginbotham, sliding in and apparently taking away the feet of Henry in the Derby area, it appeared United would have yet another grumble. However, referee Graham Barber pointed for a goalkick. Presumably Ferguson's card will be in the post.

That was in the sixth minute and despite a monopoly of possession it was not for another 16 that Arsenal managed an effort on target. With Rob Lee and Paul Boertien establishing a muscular presence in midfield, Derby were proving busy if initially unambitious opponents.

It was not until Warren Barton whacked Pires, giving Henry a free-kick, that Oakes had a first save to make. Henry's long cross travelled to the far post, Sol Campbell's header was firm and clean but Oakes palmed it over his crossbar.

As the home fans grew impatient, on the half-hour Malcolm Christie twisted Campbell on Derby's right and skimmed in a low centre. Lee Morris arrived at pace but too late.

But the visitors had shown some more tenacity and within a minute it required a diving block from Igors Stepanovs to halt another Derby effort, this time a drive from Boertien.

As play began to elongate, Oakes made a superb parry from a deflected Henry cross and the young Derby keeper then diverted a Sylvain Wiltord volley with his legs.

But the half finished with Derby again doing more than expected, David Seaman being forced to clear a Christie shot on the turn after creative work by Giorgi Kinkladze.

Wenger brought on Lee Dixon on for Oleg Luzhny at half-time and Arsenal began the second period at full speed. A Wiltord flick sent Bergkamp free behind the Derby defence and when the Dutchman's perfect centre came in Henry met it on the volley five yards out. Unbelievably, he missed.

The incredible nature of that was emphasised all the more by what Henry did next. Collecting the ball 40 yards out, Henry swivelled in familiar style, raced 10 yards in a split second and then unleashed a great grass-cutter that pinged back off the Derby upright. It was a moment of real class, though Parlour's clumsy follow-up on Oakes was not.

A siege had begun. Henry and Bergkamp both went close soon after before Bergkamp twinkled those feet again to tee up Pires. At last Arsenal had their breakthrough.

Guardian Service

ARSENAL: Seaman, Luzhny (Dixon 46), Campbell, Stepanovs, Lauren, Wiltord (Edu 80), Vieira, Parlour, Pires, Bergkamp, Henry. Subs Not Used: Grimandi, Wright, Kanu. Booked: Parlour. Goal: Pires 69.

DERBY: Oakes, Zavagno, Higginbotham, Riggott, Barton, Strupar (Valakari 68), Lee (O'Neil 55), Kinkladze (Grenet 54), Boertien, Christie, Morris. Subs Not Used: Elliott, Foletti. Booked: Lee, O'Neil.

Referee: G Barber (Tring).