Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League on Boxing Day and sent West Ham United into the relegation zone.

Carlton Cole had put the Hammers ahead early in the second half, before a Theo Walcott brace and Lukas Podolski goal earned all three points for the Gunners.

Below, Sports Mole dissects the game to find out where the match was won and lost.

Match statistics:

West Ham United:
Shots 12
On target 5
Possession 34%
Corners 0
Fouls 11

Arsenal:
Shots 29
On target 8
Possession 66%
Corners 10
Fouls 6

Was the result fair?

Absolutely. You could hear the relief from the Arsenal fans when Walcott equalised in fear that they would let slip a match which they dominated. West Ham had their moments, but Arsenal were well on top for the vast majority of the game, and anything other than a win for the Gunners would have been an unjust disaster.

West Ham United's performance

While they did come up against an Arsenal side that oozed attacking quality, West Ham could have had a comfortable lead at one point in the second half. They caught Arsenal on the break a few times when the Gunners went in search of a leveller, and Carlton Cole as well as Joey O'Brien should both have doubled the lead for West Ham. However, they were the second best in nearly every department today, so cannot have any complaints as they find themselves in the bottom three.

Arsenal's performance

The best and worst came out of Arsenal today. They were kicking themselves after falling behind following missed chance after missed chance in the first half that came back to bite them. However, they were firmly in control for the majority of the afternoon and, once they improved in the clinical department, they eased to a deserved win.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Santi Cazorla: Walcott, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Vermaelen all could have scooped this award, but it goes to Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard's poor form saw him dropped recently, but he seems to have come back fresh as he continues to discover his fine form of last season. He was at the heart of nearly every Arsenal attack with some beautiful football.

Biggest gaffe

Although his opposite number Adrian could have done better for Walcott's first, Wojciech Szczesny had a howler for the opener. Kevin Nolan's side-footed shot from outside the box should have been a routine save, but Szczesny couldn't hold it and gave Cole a late Christmas present from all of a few yards. Mind you, Olivier Giroud, Cole and O'Brien could all take this title for their poor misses.

Referee performance

Phil Dowd had a bit of a mixed bag today. Most things he got right, but he should have sent off O'Brien for a second bookable offence is the second half. Instead he let him off, and had Arsenal lost the game, he may have come under the spotlight at the full-time whistle.

What next?

West Ham United: The Hammers are back in action at Upton Park in two days as they host West Bromwich Albion.

Arsenal: The day after, the Gunners take to the road once again where they travel to Newcastle United.