Arsenal crush Derby 6-2

Arsenal showed why they were so feared early in the season as they romped to an impressive 6-2 victory at Derby County on Monday evening, with the superb Emmanuel Adebayor grabbing a great hattrick.

Adebayor starred after coming off the bench, and scored a hattrick to remember past the hapless Derby.

Adebayor happy with result

"It was an important game for us and we want to finish as strongly as possible," he said.

"Every time, I have a good ball to finish.

"I'm very happy but the most important thing is for the team to win."

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The Gunners looked lacklustre in the opening half but still managed to lead at the break thanks to goal from Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie. However the Rams were still in the contest after Jay McEveley had got them on level terms.

The second-half revolved around Togo striker Adebayor who took his tally for the season to 30.

Rams striker Rob Earnshaw scored his first Derby goal and Theo Walcott netted for Arsenal, although this threatened to be something of a hollow win for the north Londoners.

On 81 minutes Gael Clichy's ball across the face of goal found Adebayor for a simple tap-in to make it 5-2.

Adebayor made it six and secured his hat-trick in injury time when he latched on to a long ball from Fabregas before going past the onrushing Carroll and slotting it into the empty net.