Arsenal thrash Wigan, Portsmouth suffer sixth consecutive loss

LONDON, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Arsenal displayed their typical attacking power by beating Wigan 4-0 home on Saturday, while struggling Portsmouth suffered the sixth consecutive defeat in Premier League after losing to Aston Villa 2-0.

Arsenal were overplayed by Manchester United and Manchester City in last two Premier League matches, but the visitors Wigan could only play the second fiddle in front of the aggressive Gunners.

After 25 minutes, Thomas Vermaelen rose high to head Robin Van Persie's corner past Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland. Five minutes into the second half, the Belgian international scored his second by curling a superb shot from the edge of the box.

Da Silva Eduardo didn't want to stop since the Croatian striker had slotted in the winner for Arsenal in their 3-2 away win in the first round of European Champions League Group Stage three days ago. Ten minutes after Vermaelen's second-half goal, Eduardo firedin a low shot from inside the penalty box.

Arsenal hadn't finished their scoring performance until captainCesc Fabregas back-heeled substitute Nicklas Bendtner's cross into the net in injury time.

Portsmouth hadn't changed their fate after they welcomed their new owner Sulaiman Al-Fahim at the end of last month. The defeat to Aston Villa made them the first top-flight side to lose their opening six games in over 25 years.

Villa dominated the match since the beginning and finally got advantage when Algeria international Nadir Belhadj tripped StilianPetrov. James Milner put Villa ahead by scoring from the penalty spot after 34 minutes.

Before the break, Gabriel Agbonlahor made it 2-0 by turning BenHaim before shooting into the net.

At Upton Park, Spanish ace Fernando Torres saved Liverpool from a tie with a 75th minutes header.

Liverpool made the breakthrough with Torres's superb goal after20 minutes, but defender Jamie Carragher conceded a penalty to the hosts by upending Hines in the area.

The Reds regained their lead on 41 minutes when Dirk Kuyt stabbed in Steven Gerrard's header. However, Carlton Cole nodded in a corner for West Ham four minutes later.

After the break, Torres headed home to seal the victory which lifted Liverpool into third place.