arsenal began the season with a 2–0 home victory against promoted birmingham city; goals from thierry henry and sylvain wiltord extended the club's winning run to fourteen matches – a new top-flight record. a late equaliser by wiltord in their next match at west ham united earned arsenal a point, having trailed 2–0 in the first half. three days later, a 5–2 win against west bromwich albion moved arsenal to the top of the league table. although they drew to chelsea at stamford bridge, having lost captain vieira through a sending-off, a win against manchester city meant arsenal leapfrogged local rivals tottenham hotspur to first position. a 3–0 win at charlton athletic on 15 september 2002 pleased wenger, who indicated after the match the league was theirs to lose: "we know we can win the league. we know we can be stronger. at this stage last season we were not as good as we are now." striker kanu scored a stoppage time winner against bolton wanderers to win their eleventh successive home game.