Arsenal extends EPL lead to 5 points

Arsenal extended their lead at the Premier League summit to five points after a 2-0 defeat of Blackburn - who made them work every inch of the way to defend Philippe Senderos' early opener.  Senderos struck after just four minutes at the Emirates Stadium and the Gunners could have added more, only for Brad Friedel to put in a polished performance to keep the visitors in the game.

Mark Hughes' men even threatened themselves at times but Arsenal held on, with Emmanuel Adebayor adding a second in stoppage-time to take advantage of their title rivals dropping points at the weekend.  Arsene Wenger's men were the beneficiaries of results at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge - and now have 12 games remaining to make the most of their lead in search of their first title since the Invincibles of 2004.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his side have the belief to win the title after extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points after victory over Blackburn.  With Manchester United and Chelsea dropping points over the weekend, Arsenal took advantage and won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, courtesy of goals from Philippe Senderos and Emmanuel Adebayor.

'It was a very good weekend for us,' said Wenger. 'We were a bit under pressure to take advantage of the situation after what happened on Sunday.'

Senderos opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a header from Eduardo's corner - but Arsenal could not find a second, allowing the visitors back into the game.  Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel kept them in the hunt with a string of second half saves and it was not until Adebayor netted in stoppage time that the points were totally safe.

'We scored an early goal,' Wenger added. 'The second one didn't come and Blackburn came into the game in the last section of the first half.  But we controlled the game in the second half and Friedel kept them in it.'

With 12 games remaining, Arsenal are now in pole position to secure their first title since the Invincibles of 2004.

'We always had the belief from the first day, but there's still a long way to go.  As soon as you're not at your best at the top, you can drop points.  We have seen that over the weekend. We have still 12 games to go. We are in a good position. We believe we can do it.  It's far from being over. We'll have to fight until the last minute of the championship. We still have a hard games ahead of us.'

Rovers boss Mark Hughes was pleased with the way his side remained in the game after Senderos' opener.

'To concede from a set-play, which we'd highlighted before the match, was disappointing,' he said. 'But I was delighted with the response.  We showed real belief. We passed it on a par with Arsenal tonight. Not many come here and try and play a passing game. We tried to ask questions of a very good side and, on another night, one of the number of opportunities we created in that first half might have been converted.'

Adebayor's lively performance was rewarded with a goal with seconds remaining after he had been frustrated by Friedel and Blackburn's defenders.