EPL week 13:Arsenal climb back on top

Arsenal FC returned to the top of the Premier League on Monday with a comfortable 3-1 victory away to Reading FC.

Flamini opener
Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Adebayor scored either side of half-time to put the game out of Reading's reach before Aleksandr Hleb added the third 13 minutes from time. Reading frustrated Arsenal for much of the first half but the visiting side still had the chances to win by a greater margin. As early as the third minute Adebayor raced clear of the Reading defence and beat Marcus Hahnemann with a low strike that hit the post. Reading’s best chance of the half came on 31 minutes when Brynjar Gunnarsson's strike from distance was palmed to safety by Manuel Almunia.

Adebayor scores
Arsenal stepped up the pressure as the half progressed and took the lead a minute before the interval. Adebayor set Hleb free down the right and he crossed low for Flamini to slide the ball into the net. Arsenal maintained the momentum after the break and soon added the second. They carved through the Reading defence with a lovely interchange of passes before Cesc Fabregas teed up Adebayor who side-footed the ball through a crowded penalty area and in at the far post.

Hleb strike
Adebayor had the ball in the net again three minutes later following a sweeping counter-attack led by Hleb but the attempt was ruled out for offside. The third goal was not long in coming with Hleb scoring from close range with 13 minutes to play. Reading pulled one back through Nicky Shorey, who had earlier hit the post from a free-kick, but Arsenal's win was never in doubt. Victory takes Arsenal top by virtue of having scored more goals than Manchester United FC. Both sides have 30 points though Arsenal have a game in hand. Reading are 12th, with 13 points from 13 games.