Reyes double gives Arsenal 3-1 win

Two goals from Jose Antonio Reyes gave Arsenal a 3-1 win at Manchester City on Thursday and closed the gap on Tottenham Hotspur to a point in the battle for the final Champions League qualifying spot.

Substitute Reyes slotted home from Emmanuel Eboue's cross in the 78th minute and six minutes later bent the ball left-footed around City goalkeeper David James into the top corner.

Fifth-placed Arsenal have 64 points with one game to play. They host Wigan on Sunday in the final match at their Highbury ground, while north London rivals Tottenham travel to FA Cup finalists West Ham.

Even if they finish in fifth spot, Arsene Wenger's team could still make the Champions League next season if they beat Barcelona in the final of the competition on May 17.

Arsenal's cause, as well as England's World Cup hopes, were given a boost with left back Ashley Cole making his first start since last October.

The defender, who has suffered foot, thigh and ankle injuries, played the full 90 minutes, watched by England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"The good news is that it was 90 minutes at high pace and he came through well," Wenger told Sky Sports. "He finished very tired he said, but it's good news."

Wenger played down the importance of having already qualified for next season's Champions League ahead of this month's final saying he was not sure it would ease the pressure on his players.

"When you go into a Champions League final you want to win the game and that's all. You do not think about the rest, you just want to win the game on the day and that's what we want to do," he said.

Also Read Real climb to second with a 3-2 win Arsenal pay respects to Highbury Barcelona retain Primera Liga title

Poor defending from Arsenal allowed the home team to equalise eight minutes later when Joey Barton's corner was headed towards goal by Trevor Sinclair. Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann missed it and defender David Sommeil tapped the ball in from close range.

"(The fight for fourth) could have ended tonight but we didn't want that," Henry said. "It's still in their (Tottenham's) hands if they win at West Ham but we just wanted to make sure that a draw wasn't enough and that's what we've done."

In the night's other match, relegated Sunderland beat Fulham 2-1 thanks to goals from Anthony Le Tallec and Chris Brown.