Arsenal 2 - 0 West Ham

TEN-MAN Arsenal edged out West Ham to go top of the Premier League.

With Chelsea and Manchester United in action on Sunday, the Gunners had the chance to capitalise.

And they did just that, thanks to Denilson's first-half strike and a Cesc Fabregas penalty.

Thomas Vermaelen's first-half red card did not help Arsenal's cause.

The Belgian centre-back was given his marching orders after he was harshly judged to have brought down Guillermo Franco in the box.

But Alessandro Diamanti's spot-kick was saved by Gunners keeper Manuel Almunia.

It was a vital save in Arsene Wenger's bid to land the Premier League title, against all odds.

His side were written off earlier in the season but they have turned the top three on its head in recent months.

They have won their last five domestic matches and are now a point clear of Manchester United, who face Liverpool tomorrow.

Wenger would have been delighted with his side's start to the match with Denilson capitalising on some untidy West Ham defending.

The Brazilian latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the Hammers box before rifling home a low shot past Robert Green.

West Ham battled back into the match and Franco was brough down by Vermaelen to give Diamanti the chance to level.

However, the Italian's penalty was at a nice height for Almunia, who comfortably palmed away the effort.

Gianfranco Zola's move to bring Carlton Cole off the bench in the second half gave West Ham's toothless attack a boost.

The England striker hit a post as the Hammers pushed for an equaliser.

However, Arsenal skipper Fabregas killed off their hopes and plunged them deeper into the relegation mire with 10 minutes left.

First, he won a spot-kick when Matthew Upson handled in the box and then tucked it away to seal the victory.

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Nasri (Sagna 74), Bendtner (Diaby 58), Arshavin (Eduardo 84). Subs not used: Fabianski, Rosicky, Walcott, Silvestre. Sent off: Vermaelen (44). Booked: Campbell. Goals: Denilson 5, Fabregas 83 pen.

West Ham: Green, Spector, Tomkins, Upson, Daprela, Diamanti, Kovac (Noble 70), Behrami, Stanislas, Mido (McCarthy 75), Franco (Cole 57). Subs not used: Stech, Ilan, Ilunga, Spence. Booked: Diamanti, Kovac, Upson, Daprela.

Att: 60,077

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).