Arsenal 5-0 Derby

An Emmanuel Adebayor hat-trick helped destroy Derby and keep Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Abou Diaby put the Gunners ahead with a vicious drive into the top corner.

Then Adebayor showed exquisite control to take down a Cesc Fabregas pass on his chest before rounding Stephen Bywater and slotting a second.

Adebayor struck a second-half penalty and Fabregas rifled in a shot before Adebayor again chested the ball down and placed it low beyond Bywater.

It was more evidence of an Arsenal side playing with flair, vision and without fear.

But if given time to pick their options and spray their passes unpressured and unhurried, teams of lesser quality than Arsenal will find it easy to punish Derby.

Derby’s Fagan gets four-match ban

Derby County’s Craig Fagan has been hit with a four-match suspension by the Football Association for stamping on Liverpool’s Alvaro Arbeloa on Saturday. Striker Fagan, 24, was found guilty of misconduct by an FA regulatory commission, after denying the charge.

“The commission imposed the automatic three-match ban, plus an additional match as they considered the denial to be frivolous,” said an FA statement.

Fagan can appeal against the additional one-game ban, but not the three games.

The FA statement added: “Referee Alan Wiley confirmed that he did not see the incident, and that had he done so he would have sent Fagan off.”

Fagan will miss games against Newcastle (home), Arsenal (away), Bolton (home) and Reading (away).

source:bbcsports

Fagan is charged

Derby County striker Craig Fagan has been charged with violent conduct.

Fagan was charged in relation to an incident during the game against Liverpool on Saturday. He appeared to stamp on Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa as the pair tangled on the touchline during the 6-0 victory for the Reds, although the incident was not seen at the time by referee Alan Wiley.

The former Hull City player has until 6pm on Wednesday to respond to admit or deny the charge, which is a punishable by a three-match ban if he is found guilty.

Meanwhile, Rams defender Jay McEveley is in line for a competitive international debut this weekend. The 22-year-old already has one cap under his belt with an outing in Scotland’s 1-0 win over South Africa last month.

Liverpool hit six to go top

Liverpool made it 10 home goals in a week with a 6-0 home rout of Derby to underline the belief at Anfield that they are genuine Premier League title contenders.

 

They followed up the four they put past Toulouse in the Champions League on Tuesday with two goals apiece from Spaniards Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso, Ryan Babel’s first for the club and one from substitute Andriy Voronin.It is the first time Liverpool have led the top flight for five years and their best start to a league season since 1998.

Rafa: Babel goal was pick of the lot

You had to feel sorry for Derby. Fresh up from the Championship, they simply could not cope with the variety, pace and skill Liverpool possessed - or indeed the pots of money that has seen boss Rafael Benitez build his squad.