With the game tied at 1, Fabregas settled a loose ball just outside the box with a soft touch of his right foot to set up the goal. In one smooth motion, he blasted a shot between two Manchester City defenders that curved into the upper right corner of the net. Goalie Andreas Isaksson made a diving attempt, but the ball was out of his reach.

Fabregas' goal, his second game-winner in as many games, helped Arsenal move ahead of Liverpool into third place in the standings and all but secure a spot in the Champions League.

Arsenal dominated early, maintaining possession throughout much of the first half. But Manchester City's DeMarcus Beasley, a U.S. national team player, equalized Tomas Rosicky's first-half goal just before the break.

Arsenal struggled to regain the lead until Fabregas found the back of the net with 17 minutes remaining. He scored less than a minute into the second half in Saturday's 2-1 win over Bolton.

Beasley nearly had another equalizer in the 75th minute when he broke away and chipped a well-placed shot off the fingertips of Arsenal goalie Jens Lehmann but was called offsides.

Arsenal substitute Julio Baptista scored in the 80th minute to clinch the victory. Baptista replaced injured Vassiriki Diaby in the 30th minute.

In the 84th minute, Fabregas left to a standing ovation from the fans at Emirates Stadium.

Manchester City had its five-game unbeaten streak snapped. It had allowed just one goal since a 1-0 loss to Chelsea more than a month ago.

In Tuesday's other contest, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney scored as Manchester United defeated Sheffield United, 2-0, to secure its lead atop the Premiership. Manchester United leads Chelsea, which plays West Ham Wednesday, by six points. Sheffield remains in danger of relegation just two points out of the bottom three.