Fabregas helps Arsenal double up on Boro

Soccer Betting Lines

04/26/2009 - London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cesc Fabregas scored a goal in each half as Arsenal stretched its unbeaten record in league play to 20 games with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The win has all but assured the Gunners a place in the top four, while they trail third-placed Chelsea by six points.

Boro remains in the bottom three with the loss and they trail 17th-placed Hull City by three.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rested a few players ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semifinal with Manchester United, but his young captain remained in the side and rewarded his manager's decision.

The visitors defended well in the first 25 minutes, allowing Arsenal little space in the final third.

However, Fabregas started a break in the 26th minute that led to the opening goal as he released Andrei Arshavin down the left wing.

The Russian then got into the box and returned the ball to Fabregas, who slammed it into the far corner of the net.

Boro showed a bit of life before halftime when Stewart Downing fired a strong shot from 20 yards that forced a save from goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who was also called upon shortly after the restart to make a stop on former Arsenal man Jeremie Aliadiere.

Marlon King was next to test Almunia with a volley that the keeper was able to hold, but the hosts responded with a second goal to regain control of the game.

Arshavin and Emmanuel Eboue teamed up to put Fabregas through on goal, and after he rounded goalkeeper Brad Jones, the Spaniard rolled the ball into the empty net and Arsenal killed off the final 20 minutes to pick up the win.

Blackburn's relegation fears were eased on Sunday as Rovers picked up a 2-0 win against Wigan to move six points clear of the bottom three.

Benedict McCarthy scored right before halftime and Ryan Nelsen tallied his first goal of the season on the hour mark to deal Wigan's European hopes a major blow.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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