GOALS from Stephen Ireland, Robinho and Daniel Sturridge earned three much-needed points for City as the Blues piled on more misery for Arsenal.

With a poor game limping towards half time, Ireland continued his fine form by breaking the deadlock.

Brazilian star Robinho then doubled the lead with a delightful chipped finish before Daniel Sturridge won and then scored a late penalty.

Arsenal's William Gallas did not travel with the rest of the squad after making critical comments about the team in midweek and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia wore the armband instead.

The France defender questioned their fighting spirt and also spoke of squabbling behind the scenes and it is understood he was omitted from the team as boss Arsene Wenger was dismayed by the player’s comments.

City almost took the lead in the 27th minute after a flowing move, which was started by Shaun Wright-Phillips.

He sent Darius Vassell clear and Benjani got a touch to his cross at the back post, only to deflect his effort wide.

Arsenal almost took the lead from the free-kick with Joe Hart - who had made a quick recovery from an ankle injury - beating away Samir Nasri’s shot.

The ball broke to Nicklas Bendtner and he cleverly hooked it back to Alex Song. He was clear on goal but sent his effort wide from close range.

Edge

There was a tense, nervous edge to this game, which meant little entertainment for the supporters as half-time approached, but just before the break Ireland took advantage of a mix-up between Gael Clichy and Mikael Silvestre to put the home side ahead.

He clipped the ball over Almunia to give City the boost they required going into the second half.

City extended their lead with a magnificent goal from Robinho in the 57th minute after some superb work from Wright-Phillips.

The England midfielder won the ball off Robin Van Persie in the middle of the park before releasing a perfect through ball for Robinho.

The Brazilian showed a cool head as Almunia advanced to lob the ball over the goalkeeper for his ninth goal of the season.

Robinho then sent a close-range header wide of the post before finding the next again only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

The Brazilian was beginning to run riot and almost made it 3-0 three minutes later when he latched on to a ball from substitute Elano.

He took it around Almunia only for Johan Djourou to clear his effort off the line.

Van Persie then found the net after clipping the ball out of Hart’s hand but it was disallowed.

Sturridge completed the rout in stoppage time from the penalty spot after being upended by Djourou to add to Arsenal’s misery.

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