Arsenal thump hapless Porto

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal demolished a feeble Porto side 4-0 in the Champions League at the Emirates on Tuesday with two goals each from Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor firing them to the top of Group G.

Arsenal have four points from two games, one point more than Porto. Dynamo Kiev are third with two points after their 0-0 draw away to Fenerbahce.

Dutchman Van Persie settled some early Arsenal jitters to slot the opener after 31 minutes before Adebayor headed the second shortly before halftime.

Porto, who have never won in England, capitulated after the break and Van Persie waltzed through to make it 3-0 before Adebayor converted a penalty with 19 minutes remaining.

The visitors had hit the crossbar through Cristian Rodriguez when the score was 0-0 but were outplayed as Arsenal recorded their first win in this season's competition after drawing their opener 1-1 with Dynamo Kiev.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had been critical of his side's attitude after a shock 2-1 home defeat against Hull City on Saturday that cost them top spot in the Premier League.

The Gunners showed plenty of urgency in the opening minutes as both Theo Walcott and Van Persie went close.

However, it was Porto who almost took the lead when a lightning break ended with Uruguayan Rodriguez bouncing a header off the sodden turf that skimmed off the crossbar.