Captain Robin van Persie struck twice to inspire Arsenal to a much-needed 2-1 victory over Sunderland and Newcastle United scored late to maintain its unbeaten Premier League record in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
Van Persie insisted in the club's matchday program that he has no intention of following Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri out of the club and then underlined his commitment with a man-of-the-match display capped by a brilliant winner with just eight minutes left.
Arsene Wenger's side kicked-off just two points above the relegation zone after their worst start to a season for 58 years.
But Arsenal will always be a threat while it has van Persie and the Gunners captain showed his class with a cool finish after only 29 seconds.
Sunderland gave the ball away from the kick-off and when Gervinho crossed low into the penalty area, van Persie dummied Wes Brown before firing past Simon Mignolet to score the club's fastest ever Premier League goal and the quickest in the top-flight this season.
Former Arsenal winger Sebastian Larsson equalised in sublime fashion as the Swede curled a brilliant shot beyond Wojciech Szczesny from 25 yards in the 31st minute
Szczesny then had to make a fine stop from Lee Cattermole's close-range header to deny Sunderland a second goal.
But van Persie saved his best until last as he stepped up to bend a superb free-kick over the Sunderland wall and into the top corner in the 82nd minute.
That was enough to give Arsenal only its third win in eight league games and lift Wenger's men into 10th place, while struggling Sunderland is above the relegation zone on goal difference.
"We had a good start for 25 minutes but as soon as Sunderland equalised the confidence started to wobble a bit," Wenger said.
"The second half was all us but we needed something special from Robin van Persie to make the difference."
Newcastle stays unbeaten
At St James' Park, Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart put Tottenham ahead in the 40th minute when he slotted home a penalty after Steven Taylor tripped Emmanuel Adebayor.
Senegal striker Demba Ba equalised with his fifth goal in three games when he stabbed a Jonas Gutierrez cross goalwards in the 48th minute and goalkeeper Brad Friedel could not prevent it crossing the line.
Jermain Defoe restored Tottenham's lead with a brilliant turn and shot that flashed past goalkeeper Tim Krul from the edge of the area in the 68th minute.
But Alan Pardew's fourth placed team have developed a resilient streak this term and substitute Ameobi equalised with a thunderous left-footed drive across Friedel in the 86th minute.
"We created enough pressure to warrant a draw, maybe win it," Pardew said.
"We're not going to settle for a draw at home and Tottenham wanted to win as well. It made for a great game."
Earlier on Sunday, West Bromwich Albion climbed out of the relegation zone after defeating bitter rivals Wolves 2-0 in the Black Country derby at the Hawthorns.
Roy Hodgson's side started the day third bottom of the table with just one win in their seven league games, but goals from Chris Brunt and Peter Odemwingie ended that dismal run and earned the bragging rights over their hated neighbours.
AFP
Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england, united-kingdom First posted October 17, 2011 06:58:13
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