Arsenal crush Wolves
February 7 , 2004
Arsenal 3 Wolves 1

Dennis Bergkamp steered a right-foot shot past Paul Jones from just inside the box to give Arsenal an early lead. Midway through the first-half Vio Ganea scored his first league goal to bring Wolves back into the game. But a cool Thierry Henry finish and a Kolo Toure header, with Robert Pires prominent in the build-up to both goals, made the game safe for Arsenal. Those two second-half goals also ensured Arsene Wenger's side remained ahead of Manchester United at the top of the Premiership table. Even so Arsenal were made to work hard for the three points by a muscular Wolves side, who have gained some momentum in their relegation struggle after the recent victory over Manchester United. Ganea and Carl Cort, making his debut after his £2m move from Newcastle, unsettled Arsenal and gave Toure and Sol Campbell a torrid time. Just before the interval Campbell's hesitation allowed Colin Cameron to send Cort free but Lehmann turned the Wolves' striker scuffed shot around the post. Wolves had got off to the worst possible start as Arsenal opened the scoring from their first real attack in the ninth minute. After a sweeping move involving Edu and Ashley Cole, Bergkamp guided his shot home with a typically calm finish. Gradually Wolves began to claw their way back into the game and Denis Irwin came close to snatching an equaliser with his curling free-kick which went just wide of the post. Ganea then pulled Wolves level midway through the first half, hitting a rising shot home past Lehmann after a Colin Cameron corner. The Romanian was also booked for over-celebrating by jumping into the crowd behind the goal. As the game became increasingly tetchy, Bergkamp was booked apparently for diving under the challenge of Irwin. After the restart Arsenal were more assured and in the 58th minute Henry picked up Robert Pires' pass on right and slid the ball under the advancing Jones to claim his 99th Premiership goal. Four minutes later Pires swept the ball in from the right, Vieira headed the ball back across goal and Toure stooped to ensure the victory safe for Arsenal.