Arsenal continued their dominance in London derbies with an entertaining 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium.

Eduardo's second-minute strike, his tenth goal of a rapidly improving season, was followed by a superb 19th-minute Emmanuel Adebayor goal to maintain the Gunners' one-point advantage over Manchester United.

The result continues Arsenal's 100% record in London Premier League derbies this season, their sixth win in six clashes, although with Kolo Toure playing in his final match before off to the African Cup of Nations, sterner tests await over the next six weeks.

Eduardo set the tempo for a franetic opening when he grabbed the opener just two minutes in, chesting down Cesc Fabregas's cross with a beaufiful piece of control before spinning a firing a low volley past Robert Green.

West Ham responded superbly, four times going close to grabbing an equaliser in the space of just 15 minutes. Mark Noble and Carlton Cole had shots deflected narrowly wide before Anton Ferdinand brought a reaction goal-line save from Manuel Almunia with a volley from a corner.

Arsenal old-boy Freddie Ljungberg, later substituted with a thigh strain, then brought a smart save out of Almunia with a shot on the spin - but just seconds later, the Gunners were two-up thanks to a remarkable finish from Adebayor.

Gael Clichy sent a long ball up field from deep inside the Arsenal half and the bounce took it away from Ferdinand and Upson, with Adebayor galloping clear. The Togo striker got a touch ahead of the on-rushing Robert Green and although the angle was incredibly tight Adebayor somehow managed to squeeze the ball past Matthew Upson and in off the far post.

The chances continued to come in a staggeringly open first half, John Pantsil going close with an overhead kick before Adebayor wasted a glorious chance to play Eduardo in as the pair broke on a counter.

Although not as open after the break, the entertainment continued, Eduardo wasting a glorious chance for a second when his stooping header from a couple of yards out went the wrong side of the post.

At the other end, defender George McCartney tried his luck with a volley which flew just wide from the edge of the box after a corner was only half-cleared.

Arsenal continued to pass the ball around with their usual swagger, although they found it increasingly difficult to break down a resolute West Ham, who seemed content to sit back and try and play on the break.

Adebayor might have done better in the final stages, although his attempt to curl the ball into the far corner after breaking in from the left wing was a poor one.

But a third goal would have been tough on West Ham, who matched the home side chance-for-chance in the first half before sitting back a little in the second.

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport