Harry Pratt Reports JUST when they thought life could get no sweeter, the red and white Highbury hordes were erupting in delirious joy at the stunning sight of Tony Adams rocketing in a left-footer that would have made Dennis Bergkamp proud. The Championship had already been secured, courtesy of a Dutch double from Marc Overmars and an early own goal from Everton defender Slaven Bilic. But nobody among the 38,000 sell-out, preparing to party all night long, could have scripted a better finale than Arsenal captain Adams, the sturdy bridge between the present era and those title-winning teams of George Graham, striking such a peach to cap Arsenal's ten-match winning procession to Premiership glory. Nor one more fitting. The classic goal from Adams, labelled a 'donkey' before Arsene Wenger's arrival 18 months ago, epitomised everything the French coach has brought to the club in less than two seasons. Within weeks of replacing Bruce Rioch, the unknown Wenger publicly declared the likes of Adams were far better technically than many of us gave them credit for. And how the England defender, who has had to overcome well-publicised drink problems too, underlined the point yesterday when he raced through, chested the ball to perfection and drilled his shot into the Everton goal. What on earth was he doing up there in the final minutes anyway? Arsenal are no longer boring. They are no longer dogged. And they are no longer one paced. This set of stars, including those who lifted the Championship in 1989 and 1991, are as worthy winners as any of those at Old Trafford who, until now, had made Manchester United unsurpassable in the Premiership era. As Everton, desperate to collect points in the battle at the bottom, soon discovered, Arsenal are lightning on the counter-attack, breaking every bit as fast as their northern rivals when turning defence into attack. In recent weeks, the name of the game for Wenger's side has been to get the lead early and then steamroller opponents, no matter who they might be. Wimbledon, Newcastle and Blackburn can all testify to their devastating force. Yesterday, it was the turn of Everton and it took just five minutes before the red-and-white express train was rumbling ever closer to a League and Cup Double. An in-swinging free-kick from Emmanuel Petit, driven to the back post, found Adams lurking with menace - and it was his pressure that forced Bilic to head past Norwegian keeper Thomas Myhre. Under glorious sunshine, the visitors were now drowning, as well as flying directly in the face of the belief that is harder to beat teams fighting for survival. Or at least in terms of their football, that is. Because off the ball, the Goodison Park strugglers, now needing a win against Coventry and a defeat for Bolton next weekend to retain top-flight status, reverted to a series of nasty flying lunges. Skipper Duncan Ferguson was booked and nearly got a red card during a heated exchange midway through the first half. Don Hutchison, meanwhile, was lucky not to head straight to the dressing room after a studs-up, clattering assault ended Petit's afternoon. While the referee refused to deliver proper justice, Arsenal were in no mood to let their opponents off as lightly. The crowd were baying for blood and Overmars responded in ideal fashion after 28 minutes. The £7m winger nipped past two defenders and, moving to his left, struck a weak shot in the opposite direction that was still sufficient to trickle under Myhre. His second came 12 minutes into the second half and was almost identical. The only difference being that this time Overmars' wicked effort didn't give the goalkeeper an earthly. The stage was set for the long-awaited re-introduction of Arsenal's record goalscorer Ian Wright, out for four months through injury, and Wenger duly obliged. But not even the England striker, normally so quick to make an impact, could steal the crowning glory from Adams as the team's leader provided the glittering crown to a golden season. The Gunners' champagne was no longer on ice, even if reformed alcoholic Adams couldn't touch a drop! ARSENAL: Seaman, Dixon, Winterburn, Vieira, Adams, Anelka (Wright 72), Overmars, Wreh (Bould 80), Keown, Parlour, Petit (Platt 44). Subs Not Used: Manninger, Grimandi. Booked: Dixon. EVERTON: Myhre, Watson, Barmby, Ferguson, Hutchison, Short, Beagrie (Madar 46), Tiler, Ball, Bilic (Oster 46), O'Kane (Farrelly 46). Subs Not Used: Gerrard, McCann. Booked: Hutchison, O'Kane, Ferguson, Oster, Barmby. Att: 38,269 Ref: G R Ashby (Worcester).

ADAMS INTENDS TO REMEMBER THIS ONE   THE champagne corks were popping all night long in north London, but one man sticking to mineral water was Tony Adams - just thankful to have a clear memory of the celebrations come this morning. If the England star did wake up today with a headache, it will have been caused by the incessant noise booming around Highbury into the early hours as fans toasted Arsene Wenger and his team. I'm going to feel every minute of this one, said recovering alcoholic Adams after scoring a brilliant fourth goal right at the end. It puts it into perspective when an alcoholic and an ex-footballer die in the same day. I can't remember anything about the last two titles but I'm going to remember this one. We're going to show the French boys how to party. This is absolutely marvellous. The boys have worked hard all season and they deserve this. Lee Dixon had no qualms about opening the champagne and declared: ''It is a brilliant feeling. This team is just phenomenal - especially the boys in the midfield, who have been superb.'' It was a first League title for centre-back Martin Keown, who admitted: ''I thought it was never going to come. It was an incredible run we put together. Manchester United set the standard and we went after them.'' Arsene Wenger, who at the final whistle revealed that below his calm exterior is a heart burning with desire, pride and joy, reflected: "This is my greatest achievement in football, the biggest satisfaction of my career, a terrific moment. I have always dreamed of working in England, because this is a real football country. ''Until now I had to keep my emotions under control, because I knew people thought a foreign manager couldn't win the championship. If we hadn't won it, everybody would've said that was why, but I am so proud that I am the first foreigner to do it and proud of my players, too. ''When we were 13 points behind with only a game or two in hand, I thought it was over, I even thought that the Champions' League was over for us. We had to battle so hard, and to have strong nerves, because we knew that if we lost any game we would lose the title. ''The fact is that we haven't lost since December and we've won the title only two months after one of the bookmakers had paid out to the people backing Manchester United!'' Even Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, had to tip his hat to Wenger's wonders as he congratulated their storming end-of-season, ten-game winning streak. Fergie conceded: ''They deserve to win it after the way they've done the business in recent weeks. Any team that wins the English League has to be congratulated because it's such a hard one to win.'' And two-goal hero yesterday Marc Overmars, with 15 for the season, added: ''It is absolutely great. My first year here and we have won the Premiership.'' French midfielder Patrick Vieira said: ''One month ago everyone thought Manchester United were going to win it. But we have got a very good team and a very good spirit. Injured PFA and FWA Player of the Year Dennis Bergkamp had to watch from the sidelines and admitted that he found it hard not being involved. He went on to add winning the Dutch Championship with Ajax did not compare with this success: There are so many more teams competing for the Premiership that it is so much more special when you win it." England keeper David Seaman has won two Championships with Arsenal but echoed the rest of the side's views, adding: It just gets better and better. But Ian Wright was arguably the happiest man at Highbury, finally making it back onto the pitch after a long lay-off to win his first Championship medal. It's been hard watching the boys and listening on the radio, admitted the tearful Highbury record-breaker. But now I'm in amongst it and I've got a medal. This one is mine and I'm going to have my name put on it. Everybody wants to win a Championship and to win it here is fantastic. But as Arsenal were celebrating, Everton boss Howard Kendall had to try and pick his side up after another heavy defeat left them needing three points next Sunday against Coventry and for Bolton to lose or draw at Chelsea. That was disappointing. When we conceded the first goal it was downhill all the way, he said. We didn't do ourselves justice. But Arsenal were quality - this is a day for them to savour and for us to reflect upon. But we have to get ourselves up and ready for next week. We know exactly what we have to do. We cannot rely on Bolton to lose. I don't want to be in this position, and no Evertonian wants to be in this position, but we are. We know what to do. Could have fooled everyone at Highbury, Howard!

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