FT: Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0
Didier Drogba’s brace put Chelsea back on top of the Barclays Premier League as Arsenal’s title hopes were all but ended following a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Ivory Coast international striker Drogba continued his fine record against the Gunners when he smashed home at the far post following a flick by captain John Terry before drilling in a second goal midway through the first half.
Arsenal – beaten by Manchester United last weekend – played well in patches, yet once again came up short when it really mattered.
Wenger’s last throw of the dice came on 74 minutes when Czech winger Tomas Rosicky replaced Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue came on for Bacary Sagna.
Chelsea made a change when Ballack was replaced by Yury Zhirkov as Carlo Ancelotti looked to make sure of the result following a period of sustained Arsenal pressure.
It was almost 3-0 when, after Song had tripped Lampard, Drogba smashed a 20-yard free-kick against the crossbar.
In stoppage-time, Fabregas headed wide after the ball was crossed into the Chelsea area from the right – which just about summed up Arsenal’s disappointing afternoon.