Arsenal sweep into third position

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LONDON, England -- Arsenal climbed to third in the English Premier League with an emphatic 3-0 home win over Liverpool on Sunday as Raphael Benitez's team crashed to their fifth successive away league defeat.

Arsenal took the lead in the 41st minute when Cesc Fabregas squared low for French midfielder Mathieu Flamini to drag in his second league goal since he joined in July 2004.

Ten minutes into the second half center-back Kolo Toure tucked home his first league goal since February 2004, after neat work by Robin van Persie, and William Gallas was left unmarked six yards out to head home a corner 10 minutes from time.

Arsenal are seven points behind second-placed Chelsea and 10 behind leaders Manchester United.

Liverpool, with just one goal and one point from their six away league games this season, remain mired in mid-table on 17 points.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger broke his silence over his clash with West Ham coach Alan Pardew, which has landed both men with an FA charge.

Pardew has apologised for his exuberant celebrations after West Ham's winner against Arsenal, while Wenger, who will not seek a personal hearing from the FA, finally spoke after Sunday's victory.

"I think Alan Pardew apologized because he was conscious that I felt provoked in a disrespectful way in my area," Wenger told a news conference.

"I reacted -- and I regret it, because you should never react.

"For the rest, I accept his apologies and life goes on. It was still a small incident. Two managers had a disagreement."

Wenger, who has until November 23 to respond to the charge, said: "I will not specially demand a hearing because for me the incident is over, I will not specially want to travel to the FA for that.

"I've been on a bench for 22 years and I know when I'm right and when I'm wrong and that's it.

"I feel I'm adult enough to know that when I do not do right, I have to accept it."

Wenger was also quizzed about his refusal to talk to the media since the game.

"The fact that I didn't speak was not linked at all with the incident...it was purely for sporting reasons," he said without elaborating.

Writing about the spat in his programme notes before the victory over Liverpool, Wenger said: "I will give my explanations for what happened when the time comes but I will say that there is always a reason for a reaction.

"I chose not to speak to the media after the game and during the week because I believe there was no need to make any more out of it than what happened.

"Also I thought it was important for me to take the chance to reflect on the overall performance of the team."

Reading stun Spurs

Reading ended a run of five straight defeats and also terminated Tottenham's 10-match unbeaten run with an inspired 3-1 home win in front of a record 24,000 crowd at the Madejski Stadium..

The Premiership newcomers started badly when Robbie Keane put Spurs ahead from the penalty spot in the 24th minute.

But Steve Coppell's side were back on level terms when Nicky Shorey drilled in the equalizer in the 38th minute and midfielder Steve Sidwell sent them into the break in front with a second goal in first-half injury time.

Kevin Doyle wrapped up the three points with 11 minutes left, to bring Tottenham back down to earth after last weekend's victory over Chelsea.

Spurs boss Martin Jol questioned his side's character.

"At half-time we wanted to put it right but you need personality and character," the Dutchman said.

"It's frustrating, you get angry a bit as well because you can do all the hard work and prepare yourself well.

"If we would have had a good result today everything would be fine - last eight of the League Cup, in the UEFA Cup and probably seventh in the league. And you throw it away."

Coppell praised his side's style.

"That's our way, even if the club doesn't have a huge history in the top flight. There's a Tottenham way of playing, an Arsenal way and a Liverpool way - in our own reserved manner there is a Reading style.

"When you're under pressure it's easy to be physical and more direct but we have to resist that to a certain extent."

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