Gunners back on top

The Togo international crashed in a flying header five minutes before the break to make it nine goals in his last seven appearances - scoring in each and netting the opener in three successive league matches.

A superb 25-yard strike by Mathieu Flamini midway through the second half and another from Cesc Fabregas made sure of an 11th home win for Arsene Wenger's men, who leapfrog over Manchester United, for 24 hours at least.

Newcastle - with new executive director Dennis Wise watching from the comfort of the Emirates Stadium premier 'Diamond Club' seats - were well beaten, also 3-0, here on Saturday to end their FA Cup dreams, but Kevin Keegan's men again looked to have plenty of ambition going forwards, particularly down the flanks, if without any end product.

It was a positive start by the hosts, going into the match unbeaten in seven Premier League outings but they had to wait until the 40th minute for a goal.

Flamini was the provider, riding a challenge from Nicky Butt and bursting into space before delivering a perfectly-weighted cross towards the far post, where Adebayor made no mistake.

Arsenal continued to press after the break with Nicklas Bendtner coming on in attack and moments later it was 2-0.

Fabregas played the ball to Flamini and the Frenchman set himself before unleashing a superb strike into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards.

Any hopes Newcastle had of getting back into the match ended when Fabregas made it 3-0 with 10 minutes left from Bendtner's clever pass.