Adebayor's Hat-trick Kicks Derby When They Are Down

The sooner this season ends, the better for Derby County, because this could have been double figures. The Rams were humiliated last night, especially during the second half, when for long periods Arsenal barely allowed them a kick.

Just about every time the Gunners attacked, they created a good chance, and the final score line did not reflect their superiority.

Such was the statistical, technical and aesthetic gulf that seemed to yawn between these teams beforehand, the only doubt in some people's minds was over Arsenal's margin of victory.

That assumed a level of interest on the part of the Gunners that was not immediately apparent. Judging by his demeanor during the warm-up, Emanuel Adebayor did not look entirely upset about having been named among the substitutes and there was a lack of edge about the opening exchanges which suggested an upset could be on the cards.

Nicklas Bendtner's opening goal, the Dane taking advantage of a mix-up between Robbie Savage and Darren Moore to exchange passes with Robin Van Persie and shoot past Roy Carroll from around eight yards, seemed to have put paid to such fanciful notions. Had Van Persie not missed the target after Theo Walcott had left him with just Carroll to beat a minute later, the game would have been over.

Rather incredibly Derby equalized. Savage swung in a free-kick from the left, Jay McEveley and Moore jumped for it, and the ball fell kindly for McEveley to prod past Lukasz Fabianski, making his Premiership debut for Arsène Wenger's team.

The natural order was quickly reasserted. Kolo Touré looked up and hit a fine diagonal ball to Van Persie, waiting in the penalty area after having beaten the offside trap - such as it was - by a good yard. The Dutchman controlled the ball on his chest and smashed a right footed volley on the turn past Carroll.

If Adebayor was anticipating the night off, however, he was mistaken and appeared immediately afterwards in place of Van Persie. It changed nothing in terms of the flow of the game, with Touré twice going close, first with a shot from outside the area and then after a Cesc Fábregas back-heel which had even the Derby supporters applauding.

Soon afterwards, shortly after a three-minute period during which Derby touched the ball once, Arsenal made it three. Walcott, whose pace embarrassed the Derby back four throughout, humiliated Alan Stubbs inside the penalty area, and cut the ball back across. Eboué misconnected but Adebayor was waiting to touch the ball home.

Walcott, played clear by Bendtner, should have made it four almost straight away but, as so often, failed to finish and though the chances kept coming, a fourth goal would not.

Rob Earnshaw, played through by Andy Todd, showed them how to finish, and at last Walcott responded with a brilliant curler. Adebayor with a late double ensured a more appropriate scoreline.