Thierry Henry joined Dennis Bergkamp as a member of Arsenal's ton-up club as
the reigning champions re-established a five-point lead at the top of the
Premiership by sweeping Birmingham City aside at St. Andrews.
Bergkamp had reached the 100-goal mark in the FA Cup tie against Oxford United
a week ago and Henry's two goals against the Blues enabled him to reach that
milestone in his 181st appearance for the Gunners.
It was a thoroughly convincing display by Arsene Wenger's side as they
clinically disposed of the Premiership new boys to move clear again of
second-placed Manchester United.
They cut through the home defence almost at will with, not for the first time,
the guile of Bergkamp and the pace and power of Henry an unstoppable
combination.
But City will take some consolation from the debut of Christophe Dugarry who
posed questions of the Gunners defence but had little support.
After a 25-minute delay caused by a power failure, the game was finally able
to get underway at 4.30pm and Arsenal quickly made up for lost time.
The first chance fell to the Gunners after Bergkamp found Sylvain Wiltord in
space with a reverse pass but he volleyed his shot across the face of Nico
Vaesen's goal.
At the other end Dugarry was only just off target with a first-time effort
following a cross from Robbie Savage.
But after six minutes the Blues defence was ripped open as Henry tucked away
his 19th goal of the season and 99th in total for Arsenal.
Bergkamp was the provider as Henry timed his run perfectly to take the pass in
his stride and round Vaesen before firing home.
Vaesen then produced a stunning save to keep out a close-range volley from Edu
following an inswinging Henry corner.
Bergkamp again was the driving force behind another move which saw Henry
side-foot his shot wide when well placed following a cut-back across the area by
Robert Pires.
Ferdinand Coly, who was making his home debut, became the first player to be
yellow-carded for a challenge on Edu and then Jamie Clapham forced David Seaman
into a low save away to his left.
But the impression was that Arsenal could step up a gear anytime they wanted
and after 29 minutes a superb strike from Robert Pires doubled their lead.
Michael Johnson and Wiltord tussled for the ball and Johnson failed to get any
power into his clearing header which fell to Pires who volleyed an unstoppable
shot past Vaesen from 18 yards.
Dugarry offered the main ray of hope for the home side and Lauren was booked
for a foul on the World Cup winner.
But it was Stern John who came closest to reducing the arrears with a glancing
header which Seaman clung onto in first-half injury-time.
Birmingham had to strike early in the second period if they were to have any
chance of getting back into the match and there was certainly more purpose about
their play.
Dugarry was at the centre of most of their most promising moments and he had
one powerful show blocked by Ashley Cole. Then Martin Keown was yellow-carded
after 59 minutes for bringing down the Blues striker.
But Arsenal are at their most menacing on the counter-attack and one
electrifying run by Henry set up a chance for Bergkamp whose low shot was saved
by Vaesen.
Then two goals in three minutes put the game firmly out of Blues reach. After
67 minutes Vaesen only punched a corner from Edu into the path of Bergkamp some
30 yards from goal.
He calmly crossed the ball back into the area and Lauren made no mistake with
a looping header into the roof of the net.
Then came Henry's moment of glory which took him to the 100-goal mark as he
calmly drilled a low shot past Vaesen following good play by Pires and Wiltord.
Henry came close to completing his hat-trick with a curling effort from 20
yards which flew inches wide.
Dugarry got a standing ovation from the home fans when he was substituted five
minutes from time.
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