MANCHESTER City's 100 per cent record came to an end at Arsenal where Cesc Fabregas' second-half strike proved decisive.

The Blues looked like they were on their way to a fourth consecutive clean sheet when Kasper Schmeichel saved Robin van Persie's second-half penalty.

But Fabregas unleashed a fierce shot past the young Dane in the 80th minute to knock the Blues off the top of the Premier League.

Although Arsenal enjoyed the lion's share of possession, Sven-Goran Eriksson's men had their chances with Martin Petrov and Emile Mpenza going close.

And Eriksson and his bench were up on their feet in the second half claiming a penalty when Kolo Toure flattened Michael Johnson, but Chris Foy waved play on, allowing Arsenal to take advantage.

From the start the game developed into matter of Arsenal enjoying possession, with City looking to counter-attack and exploit Arsenal’s makeshift defence.

Most of the time they were faced with the solid partnership of Micah Richards and Richard Dunne, so Van Persie tried his luck from long range and cleared the crossbar.

City chances in the first half were more convincing. Johnson burst through the Arsenal defence to set up Martin Petrov for an effort that went wide.

Mpenza, in for the injured Valeri Bojinov, had an even better chances after Petrov sent him through but the striker made poor contact on his effort.

Elano had the best of the first-half chances for City but he barely tested Manuel Almunia with a shot from the area when he had team-mates waiting for a pass.

Treatment

At the other end, goalkeeper Schmeichel required treatment after claiming the ball when Van Persie ran through. The Holland forward appeared to leave a boot in, but he also apologised as the goalkeeper was treated.

Richards has earned praise for his impressive start to the season, and his form continued as he threw everything to block Arsenal’s attacks. Dunne did the same as the hosts looked to convert their possession into chances.

They got closer in the 36th minute after Stephen Ireland’s poor pass gave them the ball, but Van Persie was inches away from Fabregas’ cross.

City then applied the pressure, firstly when Petrov flashed a shot wide of the far post after cutting in from the left.

Then after 62 minutes Mpenza raced through but Almunia spread himself to deny the striker.

They were almost made to rue their misses when Richards brought down Alexander Hleb in the area and the assistant referee instructed Foy to point to the spot. However, Schmeichel saved with his legs as Van Persie blasted down the middle, and he denied the striker again two minutes later with a long-range effort.

The City keeper then tipped Fabregas’ powerful effort over the bar.

But the Spaniard was not to be denied with 10 minutes remaining.

The ball was fed to Hleb on the right before he slipped a pass Fabregas who smashed into the roof of the net at the near post.

Schmeichel forced Almunia into a stoppage-time save when he raced up for a corner, but there was to be no dream ending and City suffered their first defeat of the new campaign.

What is your verdict on the game? Have your say.