Ashley Cole blow is a real chiller for Keegan

Cole blow is a real chiller for Keegan

Quick as a fl-Ash!

ENGLAND full-back Ashley Cole extended Arsenal's amazing unbeaten run to 47 with a magical strike.

But it was the Gunners' giant "Gladiator" who would have given Sven Goran Eriksson the biggest lift.

Sol Campbell, labelled Gladiator by his boss Arsene Wenger, returned from three months of injury with a performance to match that of Rio Ferdinand in midweek.

The big man was awesome for the full 90 minutes and looks ready to reclaim his England place for the two vital World Cup qualifying clashes in two weeks' time.

Blues boss Kevin Keegan looked to the skies in despair as Jose Antonio Reyes and Thierry Henry linked up to supply Cole with a 14th-minute winner that was simple but stunning.

But defiant Keegan roared afterwards: "If there is a such a thing as a really good defeat, that was it.

"We gave Arsenal a severe test. We asked them the question: Just how good are you? And the answer was: Very good. There is quality throughout their side.

Sweat

"We put sweat on our shirts and played with big hearts, but we still lost."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted: "I was a bit concerned that we were becoming careless in the second half, when it was difficult for us to get our passing going.

"Manchester City played a cup game. They showed a side I did not know they had — tenacious defending for 90 minutes.

"But I have to be realistic, you can't win all of your games by three or four goals. I'm pleased we can win 1-0 too.

"Ashley Cole surprised me. The way he took his goal was like a striker."

Campbell slotted in comfortably alongside Kolo Toure and the Gunners suddenly looked more assured at the back.

And they needed to be, with former Highbury star Nicolas Anelka fired up and ready to inflict some damage on his old club. Several times Arsenal had to scamper back to smother the danger.

Anelka came closest to finding the net when he brilliantly controlled the ball before launching it just past the angle.

But City had no answer to Arsenal whenever the ball was at their opponents' feet.

Reyes was in stunning form. He was even applauded by City fans for a wonderful chip over vertically challenged England starlet Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Keegan told fans before the game he would not walk out on the task unless someone made him. But Reyes was doing him no favours.

It was his pass that led to City falling behind. He was a yard quicker than anyone on the pitch in a blistering counter-attack and he had the vision to try to find Henry as he burst round the back of the City defence.

Richard Dunne did well to block the pass, but when Cole picked up the ball there was little anyone could do.

Cole took the ball on his right foot and moved into space with only keeper David James to beat.

James thought Cole was shaping to shoot with his unfavoured boot, but suddenly he flicked it in with his left. James hardly had time to dive.

James later produced a superb save to foil Henry from the edge of the box.

Keegan stood for most of the first half on the edge of his technical area. After the break Wenger joined him. It was a sign the Arsenal chief was uncomfortable with the way things were shaping up for his side.

Jens Lehmann had to use all the strength in his arms to block a fierce Anelka free-kick.

At the other end James had to use every part of his body as the last man in a shaky City defence.

Frantic

His best effort was when he stretched out his left glove to block an Henry pass that was heading straight to Freddie Ljungberg, unmarked in the goalmouth.

Much of City's effort was frantic, and they had cause to thank referee Neale Barry for his leniency.

Antoine Sibierski should have been yellow-carded for a lunge on Ljungberg — as should have Sun Jihai. Paul Bosvelt was lucky to stay on the park after a kick on Patrick Vieira's knee.