The Tigers produced a hard-working display but were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.

Phil Brown's side looked like going in level after a fairly even first half but, in a game punctuated by a typically poor performance from referee Steve Bennett, the Gunners took the lead in added time from a free kick that should never have been given.

Geovanni should have had City level after the break but saw his penalty saved before the home side went on to wrap up the points.

City made one change to the side that drew with Blackburn last weekend as Nick Barmby replaced Dean Marney, who didn't even make the bench.

Kamel Ghilas came into the squad on the bench, as did Daniel Cousin.

Craig Fagan operated as City's main front man with Barmby and Geovanni looking to support him.

It was Fagan who had the first shot of the game, dragging the ball wide from 20 yards.

It had been a solid start from City, although that was almost undone when Abou Diaby's shot took a deflection off Kamil Zayatte and flew just wide.

That moment seemed to give Arsenal a kick-start and Samir Nasri saw a low shot saved by Boaz Myhill on 15 minutes.

Stephen Hunt was denied a chance when he was incorrectly flagged offside. He took his frustration out on goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and was promptly spoken to by the referee.

At the other end, Eduardo curled a left-foot shot just wide of the far post.

City had worked tirelessly to frustrate the home side and there was a major flashpoint just before half time after Arsenal had been awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. For some reason, Nasri decided to stamp on Richard Garcia, sparking a brawl which eventually involved most of the players on the field. Nasri was only booked for his misdemeanor while Hunt was also shown a yellow card for his part.

Once all that had calmed down, Nasri's free kick was blocked by the wall.

In added time, Kamil Zayatte was shown a yellow card before Arsenal were awarded another free kick close to the City box when Abou Diaby fell over. This time Denilson took it and curled the ball over the wall and into the net. George Boateng was booked for his complaints about the award of the free kick.

Once the half time whistle blew, tempers flared again as the players headed for the tunnel with more pushing and shoving.

Half Time: Tigers 0-1 Arsenal

City made a change at half time with Seyi Olofinjana replacing Barmby.

Eduardo missed a golden opportunity to double his side's lead soon after the break. The striker collected Andrey Arshavin's pass and turned Anthony Gardner in one movement before somehow firing wide of goal.

The Tigers were awarded a penalty on 56 minutes. Hunt's cross was going nowhere, but Mikael Silvestre pulled Fagan down and the referee pointed to the spot. Geovanni stepped up, but saw his shot saved by Almunia, who was well off his line, before Hunt headed the rebound wide.

It wasn't long before Arsenal made the most of their let-off. Diaby crossed low for Eduardo who tapped home from close range.

City's second change came on 61 minutes as Cousin came on for Garcia before Bernard Mendy replaced Geovanni.

It was 3-0 in the 81st minute. Diaby played a lovely one-two with Arshavin before beating Paul McShane and firing the ball past a helpless Myhill.

City continued to work hard, but chances weren't coming their way, although Almunia did well to tip away Hunt's shot.

At the other end, substitute Theo Walcott took advantage of Gardner's mistake before lobbing Myhill, only to see the ball roll wide of goal.

Olofinjana was booked during four minutes of added time for a foul on Emmanuel Eboue.

Tigers: Boaz Myhill, Paul McShane, Kamil Zayatte, Anthony Gardner, Andy Dawson, Richard Garcia (Cousin 61), George Boateng, Nick Barmby (Olofinjana 46), Stephen Hunt, Geovanni (Mendy 69), Craig Fagan.

Subs: Matt Duke, Bernard Mendy, Kevin Kilbane, Seyi Olofinjana, Kamel Ghilas, Daniel Cousin, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Arsenal: Manuel Almunia, Abou Diaby, Thomas Vermaelen, Samir Nasri (Ramsey 69), Eduardo (Walcott 75), William Gallas, Denilson, Alex Song, Mikael Silvestre, Andrey Arshavin (Vela 83), Emmanuel Eboue.

Subs: Lukasz Fabianski, Bacary Sagna, Carlos Vela, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

Referee: Mr S. Bennett.

Attendance: 60,006.