Given - Marvellous save in the first-half to keep it at 1-0. Grows in my estimation with each game. 7

Richards - Another steady game and useful forays forward. A positive start to the season and appears to be regaining form. 7

Toure - A solid day at the office, comfortable on the ball and links in well with the front men. Under the cosh second half. 6

Dunne - A typical Dunne performance; both good and bad. Strong and resilient but uncomfortable at times. Will not have welcomed the news about Lescott. 6

Bridge - Defended well and linked well with both Barry and Robinho when pressing forward. 7

Wright-Phillips - Best performance for some time. Positive and penetrative with the ball and got into some dangerous positions. 7

Barry - Another strong performance. Playing a more defensive role than expected but helped out at the back when the pressure was on. 8

Ireland - Some real incisive passing into the front line. The deeper role that isn't helping him join the attack though. 7

Robinho - Moments of quality but largely ineffective throughout. I can't help feel that he is being wasted so far wide. 6

Adebayor - Built on his Blackburn performance well. A nicely taken goal, holds the ball well, and, check this Arsenal fans, even tracked back to make a crucial tackle late on. 8

Tevez - Moved well across the line and linked up well with Adebayor, but ran out of steam late. 7

Subs:

Bellamy - Struggled after coming on and missed a great chance to make it 2-0. 5

de Jong - No time for any real impact. 6