Arsenal own-goal gives Blackburn upset win

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]





LONDON: Arsenal's miserable start to the Premier League season suffered another setback on Saturday as two second-half own goals handed Blackburn an upset 4-3 victory at Ewood Park.

Arsenal, looking to build on their unconvincing 1-0 win over Swansea last week, appeared to be on course for victory in the first half when they went ahead twice with goals from Gervinho and Mikel Arteta.

However, the Gunners' age-old defensive problems returned to haunt them as two goals from Ayegbeni Yakubu and own goals from Alex Song and Laurent Koscielny put Blackburn 4-2 up.

Substitute Marouane Chamakh ensured a nervous finish for Rovers when he headed in Robin van Persie's cross to pull one back for Arsenal on 85 minutes, but the home side hung on for their first win of the season.

The defeat leaves Arsenal with four points from five games, just two points above the relegation zone, and eight points behind leaders Manchester United, who face Chelsea on Sunday.

Afterwards beleaguered Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said his side were still suffering a psychological hangover from their 8-2 drubbing against Manchester United at Old Trafford last month.

Victory was sweet for Rovers boss Steve Kean however, who has faced repeated calls for his sacking from disgruntled Blackburn fans.

Around 250 Rovers supporters marched to Ewood Park before kick-off to call for Kean's dismissal but the Blackburn manager said he believed the win would keep his critics at bay.

None of the top three teams in the league were playing Saturday, with leaders Manchester United entertaining Chelsea on Sunday while Manchester City travel to Fulham. Liverpool were also playing Sunday, facing Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Elsewhere Saturday, there were wins for all three promoted teams with Queens Park Rangers, Swansea and Norwich all scoring deserved victories.

QPR's resurgence since their takeover by Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes continued with a 3-0 win at Wolves, where goals in the opening 10 minutes from captain Joey Barton and Alejandro Faurlin put the Hoops 2-0 up. DJ Campbell completed the scoring late on.

Swansea scored their first win of the season -- and their first in the top flight since 1983 -- after downing West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium. Scott Sinclair, Leroy Lita and Nathan Dyer scored for the Swans.

Norwich also registered their first win of the campaign, goals from Anthony Pilkington and Bradley Johnson setting up a 2-1 win over Bolton at the Reebok.

Wanderers also had Ivan Klasnic sent off for headbutting Marc Tierney on half-time. Martin Petrov pulled a goal back for Bolton on 64 minutes but the Canaries held on for a precious win.