Thierry Henry's hat trick saw champions Arsenal re-establish a five point lead at the top of the Premiership with a 3-1 victory over West Ham which returned the visitors to the bottom of the table at Highbury on Sunday.
But the build-up to both of Henry's first two goals was controversial, with West Ham reduced to 10 men for over an hour after Steve Lomas was sent off for the penalty that led to the France forward's opener.
Nevertheless the Hammers were level five minutes before time against their London rivals after Edu's poor backpass let in Jermain Defoe.
A rare headed goal by France forward Henry, 19 minutes from time, made it 2-1 although West Ham furiously protested that Dennis Bergkamp had fouled Lee Bowyer in the build-up.
But there was no dispute about the third as Henry outpaced the tiring Hammers defense four minutes from the finish.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports afterwards that his team had eased up when Lomas was dimissed.
"When it was 11 against 10, subconsciously we lost a bit of sharpness and they scored from the only chance they had.
"But in the second half it was just a question of patience."
The Gunners' French boss was delighted with the second goal. "Thierry can be great in the air," Wenger added.
Looking ahead, Wenger denied the championship was now a two-horse race between Arsenal and second-placed Manchester United.
"We're too far from the end to say that. Manchester United have some difficult fixtures and we have some difficult fixtures. But we are in a good position."
West Ham manager Glenn Roeder praised his side's resilience but could not hide his anger with the decisions that led led to Henry's first two goals.
"Pires didn't need any excuse to fall down. It was only the slightest of touches," Roeder said. "And then we got the double-whammy of the sending off."
Roeder, turning to Henry's second, when Dennis Bergkamp appeared to lash out at Lee Bowyer before providing a pinpoint cross, said, "Again the referee has made a poor decision. Bergkamp has clearly put his hand in Lee Bowyer's face."
Arsenal took the lead in the 14th minute although Lomas appeared to make minimal contact with Pires as the France winger went down in the penalty area.
However, Dean awarded a penalty and also produced a red card, ruling that Northern Ireland international Lomas had denied Pires a clear goalscoring chance.
Henry had missed three of his previous four penalties but made no mistake this time.
He should have put the Gunners 2-0 up when West Ham's Scotland international Christian Dailly's poor header fell at his feet.
But England keeper David James, who was to prevent an even worse scoreline for the Hammers, got down well to save before again reacting smartly to push away Bergkamp's low strike in the 32nd minute after Henry had once again caused havoc.
However, despite being in total command, Arsenal then gifted their visitors an equalizer five minutes before half-time.
Brazilian World Cup winner Edu, playing in place of injured Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, sold England number one keeper David Seaman hopelessly short with an under-hit backpass.
Defoe nipped in and his first-time shot gave Seaman no chance. After the break, Arsenal continued to press forward.
James produced heroics in the 63rd minute when, after losing the ball in a goalmouth scramble, he recovered to save bravely at the feet of England center-back Martin Keown, but to no avail.
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