Emmanuel Adebayor, Mathieu Flamini and Cesc Fabregas were on target as Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with another 3-0 victory over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.

It was the same scoreline as Saturday's FA Cup encounter between the two sides in North London and followed a similar pattern with Kevin Keegan's side just trailing by an Adebayor effort until the closing stages.

Whilst Arsenal go three points clear at the summit, at least until Manchester United's home match with Portsmouth on Wednesday evening, Keegan witnessed his team fail to score for a third consecutive match since his return to the hot seat.

After an opening half-hour which saw two attempts at goal, neither on target and in truth not much to report, the game sprung into life.

Stephen Carr covered superbly to clear Bacary Sagna's dangerous cross before an Adebayor cross struck the arm of Charles N'Zogbia in the penalty area only for the claims for a spot kick to be waved away.

Flamini picked out Adebayor with a cross on 38 minutes but the Togo striker volleyed over the top from 12 yards but two minutes later, the same pair combined to devastating effect.

The French midfielder charged down the right flank after a deft pass from Fabregas and his perfect cross to the back post was headed home by Adebayor for his 16th League goal of the season.

Newcastle had failed to test Manuel Almunia in the opening period but after the break had a rare sight at goal when Alan Smith got behind Philippe Senderos only for the Swiss to get back and block.

Keegan brought on Joey Barton for his first Premier League action since December 23 but it was the Gunners who were doing the pressing with Claudio Cacapa forced to clear with Flamini ready to pull the trigger from 12 yards and Carr making a vital header to prevent Fabregas' cross reaching Adebayor.

Given also held a Flamini drive but he had no answer to a thunderbolt strike from the former Marseille man 18 minutes from time.

Abou Diaby pulled the ball back to him and he unleashed a 30-yard piledriver into the top corner for his third of the season.

And eight minutes later, Arsenal were handed a third with a goal illustrating the work Keegan's backroom staff have to do with the defence.

A long free-kick over the top exposed a static backline and sub Nicklas Bendtner had time to chest the ball down and feed Fabregas who fired home from close range.

The Magpies came close to a consolation in the closing stages with Nicky Butt's free-kick tipped onto the crossbar and sub Shola Ameobi forcing a save out of Almunia but Keegan will be aware of the work ahead with Newcastle just seven points above the relegation zone.

Lee Walker / Eurosport