Arsenal leave it late to beat managerless Palace
Added time goals in both halves gave Arsenal a 2-1 win over managerless Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium early Sunday morning (Aug 17, Singapore time).
Despite heading into their English Premier League season opener just two days after Tony Pulis' shock departure, the Eagles put on a dogged display with caretaker manager Keith Millen in charge and drew first blood in the 35th minute through defender Brede Hangeland.
The towering Norwegian, a summer signing from relegated Fulham, marked his debut for Palace with a goal as he lost his marker Laurent Koscielny to head home from a corner.
The French defender later atoned for his slack marking by getting on the end of a free-kick by new Arsenal signing Alexis Sanchez to head home the equaliser just before the half-time break.
Despite holding on to the scoreline for the second half, Palace - reduced to 10 men after Jason Puncheon's second yellow card in the 89th minute - were unable to prevent Aaron Ramsey from prodding home the winner in the first minute of stoppage time after Julian Speroni had saved Mathieu Debuchy's shot.
With their first points of the season under their belt, Arsene Wenger's men can now focus their attention on their Champions League playoff against Turkish side Besiktas on Wednesday morning (Aug 20, Singapore time).
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