ARSENAL PAID THE price for a dismal first half as they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Stoke City.
The Gunners were behind after just 19 seconds at the Britannia, and 3-0 down at the break, before two goals in two minutes gave them hope of a late revival which fell short.
Chelsea’s defeat at Newcastle in Saturday’s early kick-off gave Arsenal a chance to close the gap on the league leaders but they couldn’t take advantage and remain 13 points off the pace in sixth.
Peter Crouch bundled home the game’s opening goal in the first minute before Bojan Krkic doubled their advantage in the 35th minute, volleying in a cross from Jon Walters.
The Ireland international then got on the scoresheet himself when he lashed home Stoke’s third on the stroke of half-time — the 100th club goal of his career.
Bojan appeared to have made it 4-0 in the 64th minute but the goal was ruled out by a late offside flag, and the confusion had hardly subsided when Mathieu Flamini won a penalty for the visitors.
Cazorla converted before an Aaron Ramsey volley took Arsenal to the verge of a comeback with 20 minutes to play, but their momentum disappeared after defender Calum Chambers was shown a second yellow card.
Queens Park Rangers climbed out of the relegation zone by winning 2-0 at home to Burnley on what proved an eventful afternoon for striker Charlie Austin against his former club.
Austin teed up Leroy Fer’s 51st-minute opener before slotting in his seventh goal of the campaign with 19 minutes left, only to then be sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Michael Keane.
QPR moved out of the bottom three at the expense of Hull City, who drew 0-0 at home to fellow strugglers West Brom.
- © AFP 2014; additional reporting by Niall Kelly
