Fernandes Gelson gets his second buts it's not enough

City 1 Arsenal 3

MANCHESTER City's unbeaten Premier League home record finally came to an end despite a spirited performance against Arsenal.

The Blues were two down inside the first 26 minutes after Emmanuel Adebayor and Eduardo da Silva scored, but Gelson Fernandes pulled a goal back shortly after to give City hope.

City tried hard to find an equaliser but they struggled to create clear cut chances, while Arsenal put in a typically slick display and with the game stretched, Adebayor grabbed his second after 88 minutes.

City almost took the lead early on when Elano picked out Stephen Ireland with a fine ball.

However, Ireland completely missed the ball when he tried to flick it past Jens Lehmann and the keeper gathered.

That seemed to act as a wake-up call to Arsene Wenger’s side, who took the lead in the ninth minute after Martin Petrov carelessly lost possession.

Bacary Sagna took advantage and delivered a cross into Adebayor’s path, with the Togo striker bundling home with the aid of a deflection off Micah Richards.

Arsenal extended their lead in the 25th minute when Eduardo scored with a superb overhead kick after a header down from Adebayor.

It was a sharp effort by the Brazil-born Croatia striker, but City were thrown a lifeline in the 27th minute after Gael Clichy was caught napping.

He lost possession on the byline to Vedran Corluka and the Croatian picked out Fernandes. The midfielder calmly slotted his close-range effort beyond Lehmann for his second goal for the club.

Although the goal lifted City spirits, it was Arsenal who looked more dangerous going forward and Hart had to be alert to parry an Adebayor effort.

Petrov, who apart from one promising run was having an afternoon to forget, scuffed a shot wide in stoppage-time after being released by Ireland.

City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson then made a change after 55 minutes as Daniel Sturridge was not getting any change from Gallas.

The experienced Darius Vassell came on but it was Arsenal who continued to dictate the pace.

City did come close to grabbing the equaliser in the 66th minute when Vassell got on the end of a ball from Hamann, only for Lehmann to kick it clear.

With City pouring forward in search of an equaliser, it wasn't a surprise when Arsenal clinched the win with a counter attack. Adebayor sealed the victory two minutes from time with his second goal of the game following a neat build-up involving Fabregas.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:
"We had a good start and went 2-0 up but we then lost concentration and eased up and were punished when they made it 2-1.

"The game opened up in the last 10 minutes when City went for a second goal but until then they kept good discipline.

"When the team plays well Adebayor scores and he is outstanding at the moment and we need him in this form.

"We have good confidence within the side because we know how we want to play."

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson:
"I am disappointed because we allowed them to go 2-0 up and in the first 20 minutes we gave them too much respect.

"Maybe we were a bit nervous but early on we did not compete and there was only one team in the match.

"Once they were two goals up they could take it a bit easy and play on the counter-attack.

"We have to learn quickly and wake up and do better because we desperately want to play in Europe next season."

Man City: Hart, Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Ball, Ireland (Mpenza 83), Hamann (Geovanni 75), Gelson, Petrov, Elano, Sturridge (Vassell 55).
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Jihai.

Booked: Petrov, Elano.

Goals: Gelson 28.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Sagna, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb (Justin Hoyte 89), Fabregas, Flamini, Diaby, Adebayor, Eduardo.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Bendtner, Traore, Walcott.

Goals: Adebayor 9, Eduardo 26, Adebayor 88.

Att: 46,426

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).