Almunia helps take 10-man Arsenal top

Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia helped send 10-man Arsenal to the top of the Premier League after his penalty save inspired a 2-0 win against struggling West Ham on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger’s side looked to be cruising after Brazilian midfielder Denilson scored an early goal at the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners were rattled on the stroke of half-time when defender Thomas Vermaelen was sent off for a professional foul in the penalty area.

However, Hammers’ winger Alessandro Diamanti saw his spot-kick kept out by Almunia’s save and the home team grimly held out until a late penalty from captain Cesc Fabregas sealed the points.

The north London team are now one point clear of Manchester United and three ahead of Chelsea, although United can reclaim pole position with a draw or win against Liverpool on Sunday, while Chelsea have played two games fewer than Arsenal.

The joy of victory will be tempered slightly by Vermaelen’s resulting one-match ban which could expose Wenger’s lack of cover in central defence.

West Ham remain just three points above the drop zone after losing four games on the bounce, ensuring a nervy end to the season at Upton Park.

Any pre-match nerves the home team may have felt evaporated after just five minutes when an excellent goal from Denilson put them one up.

He won a 50-50 challenge on the edge of the area before playing a quick one-two with striker Nicklas Bendtner and smashing a low 20-yard drive past Robert Green.

The visitors rallied and immediately came close to drawing level but Diamanti’s 25-yard free-kick dipped just too late to trouble Almunia.

The Gunners then displayed their technical mastery with a quick one-touch move involving Bendtner, Samir Nasri and Fabregas, which ended with Denilson slicing an acrobatic volley straight at Green.

The pace of young winger Junior Stanlislas was causing the home team some concern on the break and it was his cross which created the next opening but ex-Tottenham forward Mido narrowly failed to connect with a desperate lunge.

To the visitors’ credit they were stifling Arsenal’s threat and were competing tigerishly in midfield despite the absence of captain Scott Parker.

The half seemed to be meandering towards a sedate conclusion but ended instead on a note of high drama after West Ham were handed a penalty and a man advantage when Vermaelen hauled down Guillermo Franco.

Franco got behind the Arsenal defence and, although Vermaelen’s contact appeared light, there were few Arsenal complaints and the resultant red card was inevitable.

Diamanti stepped up to take the kick but Almunia guessed correctly, diving to his left to pull off a vital save.

Cameroon midfielder Alex Song, returning from a two-match ban, dropped back into defence as Wenger opted to keep one man up front.

The game was now an even contest with both teams trading half chances but it wasn’t until the final 15 minutes that either came close to scoring.

First Arsenal’s Russia winger Andrey Arshavin jinked inside a couple of tackles before hitting a low shot which Green smothered.

There was then a huge let-off for the home team as Hammers substitute Carlton Cole evaded two defenders before hitting a 20-yard shot which clipped the outside of the post with Almunia beaten.

The points were finally sealed with seven minutes remaining after Fabregas did what Diamanti failed to do, scoring confidently from the spot after Matthew Upson handled inside the area.