Arsenal hit Blackburn for six

12 April 2012

Arsenal came from behind to thump Blackburn 6-2 at the Emirates Stadium.

Rovers took a shock lead thanks to Shabani Nonda's third-minute penalty, but Gilberto Silva levelled before goals from Alexander Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor (penalty) gave the Gunners a two-goal cushion.

Nonda grabbed his second of the match in the 70th minute. However, Robin Van Persie's late double sealed the points for Arsene Wenger's side before substitute Mathieu Flamini completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Nonda played in former Gunner David Bentley, who was tussling arm-to-arm with Kolo Toure and the pair went to ground. Referee Howard Webb was convinced there had been enough contact from the Arsenal defender and pointed to the spot. Nonda stroked the penalty low to the right of Jens Lehmann.

The Gunners levelled when Van Persie sent over a cross and Gilberto got above Brett Emerton to head past Brad Friedel.

Arsenal went ahead with a brilliantly-worked goal from Hleb. Cesc Fabregas slipped the ball through to Adebayor on the edge of the Blackburn area, and he fed Hleb. The Belorussian danced around Andy Todd, and then rolled the ball past Friedel.

Soon it was 3-1. A flick from Adebayor sent Van Persie clear into the six-yard box ahead of Lucas Neill, who pulled him down. Adebayor netted from the spot after 27 minutes.

Arsenal were in control at the start of the second half, and Fabregas twice went close. Rovers made a change when Michael Gray was replaced by Matt Derbyshire on 63 minutes - and the substitution paid off.

A cross from the right by Emerton looped over the Arsenal back-line. Derbyshire's diving header bounced back off the bar into the six-yard box - where Nonda hooked it into the net with 21 minutes left.

Van Persie wrapped things up, scoring in the far corner after 85 minutes. Adebayor and Fabregas set up van Persie for a fifth, before substitute Mathieu Flamini swept in from close range.

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