Arsenal Hit Four as Liverpool Go Top

Arsenal thrashed Blackburn Rovers today to send a message to their Premier League rivals and kick-start their Premiership charge.

Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor scored a hatrick, with Robin Van Persie also netting.

England's midweek hero, Theo Walcott, also put on a fine display and should have scored todaybut put the ball over the crossbar.

Arsenal did what they do best; passed the ball and kept possession in a one-sided away fixture.

Walcott was taken off in the second half, Wenger choosing to rest the rising star ahead of the Champions League tie against Dynamo Kiev in midweek.

Arsenal's third win from four puts them second in the standings (at the time of writing) behind Liverpool who beat champions Manchester United.

It was the first time Rafa Benitez has beaten the Red Devils during his time as Liverpool manager, and much was courtesy of substitute Ryan Babel.

Argentina's Carlos Tevez put United ahead after just three minutes, slotting home a pull-back from new signing Dimitar Berbatov.

Liverpool started without main men Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, and the Reds struggled to keep up with the passing of Manchester United.

Liverpool soon struck back though, thanks to United 'keeper Van der Sar punching a ball against Wes Brown, which then deflected into his own net.

This lifted Liverpool's confidence and the crowd soon began getting behind the home team.

Javier Mascherano cheekily stole the ball from veteran Ryan Giggs and gave possession to Kuyt, who in turn, found Babel who was able to find the net.

Manchester United defender Vidic was sent off in the 90th minute.

Premier League Results. Saturday 13th September:

Blackburn 0-4 Arsenal

Fulham 2-1 Bolton

Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United

Newcastle 1-2 Hull

Portsmouth 2-1 Middlesbrough

West Brom 3-2 West Ham

Wigan 1-1 Sunderland

Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea