Hleb scores late winner

Updated 18.53 Sun Aug 12 2007

Alexander Hleb scored a late winner as Arsenal fought back from a goal down to beat Fulham 2-1.

Fulham's first-choice goalkeeper Antti Niemi suffered an injury during the warm-up so Tony Warner started and he frustrated Arsenal for most of the game.

"This is the kind of result that can change a season for a team" - Arsene Wenger

David Healy put he visitors ahead in the first minute of his debut for the club by pouncing when Jens Lehmann failed to clear a backpass.

But Robin van Persie equalised with a penalty six minutes before full-time and Hleb fired the winner in injury-time.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "We had a horrible start and were playing against a good Fulham side, a good goalkeeper.

"Apart from that, we were resilient, didn't give up for 90 minutes, were physically and mentally strong. This is the kind of result that can change a season for a team. It's a positive start."

Arsenal have conceded the first goal in most of the their fixtures since moving into their new stadium at Ashburton Grove 12 months ago.

But they have only lost one home game in that time, against West Ham in April.

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez said: Sanchez said: "I am disappointed for the amount of effort we put in not to get something.

"Tony Warner did fantastically well, pulling off some saves, and we're very disappointed.

"It was always going to be tough, but we shouldn't be leaving here losing 2-1."

He added: "We defended well and, when we attacked, we had five or six good opportunities to score but you've got to take your chances. It's about the quality of finishing."

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