For the second Saturday running Arsenal took an early 2 goal lead at home, and never looked let giving it away.

With just over a minute gone, Henry found himself right over on the right flank in front of Wiltord, and flick it backwards to his compatriot. Sylvain's first-time cross was a bit hopeful, but the defender's interception took it softly towards goal, and Vieira nipped in. Sorenson came over to block the (narrow) angle, and Paddy took his time before nutmegging the keeper for 1-0.

2 minutes later, Ljungberg's high looping cross from the left found Henry in space beyond the far post, and his superb volley was tapped in by Bergkamp from a yard out.

Bergkamp created the 3rd for Wiltord. He skipped past a couple of challenges on the left hand side of the box, and looked to be looking for space for a curler when he spotted Wiltord in space a couple of yards inside the box. The quality of Dennis's pass was such that Wiltord just had to deflect it inside the far post.

Sunderland had a few moments in the first half too. Phillips, head and shoulders above the rest (except perhaps Quinn who came on when Mboma was forced off by injury following a clash with Edu) was the danger man. One time a clumsy Campbell attempt at chesting the ball down to Adams let the England nearly-man in. He rounded Seaman but shot into the side-netting from the corner of the 6 yard box.

Arsenal took the foot off the pedal in the second half. A little disappointing given that this looked like a chance to narrow the goal-difference gap on Man Utd. But it was obviously (and rightly) felt more important to make sure that we don't slip up points-wise through tiredness.

No change at the top, with Liverpool and Man Utd both negotiating potential banana-skins against Charlton and Leeds respectively.