An incident packed match at Stamford Bridge saw Chelsea clinch their largest ever win over Arsenal and get their title challenge back on track.
Arsene Wenger didn’t have too much to shout about during his 1000th game in charge of Arsenal as he, once again, failed to beat his bitter rival Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea bounced back from their previous league defeat to Villa and followed up their progression in the Champions League with a stunning victory over a 10 man Arsenal side.
The Blues lined up with David Luiz, returning from injury, alongside Nemanja Matic in midfield and Samuel Eto’o up front. Andre Schurrle replaced the suspended Willian.
Chelsea shot out the traps against Arsenal’s eleven men with Samuel Eto’o continuing his fine form to put Chelsea ahead after just 4 minutes, following Andre Schurrle’s pass.
It could have been a very different story however, as seconds earlier Petr Cech denied Olivier Giroud as he was in on goal. Moments later, Chelsea fans were celebrating Samuel Eto’o’s opener.
The striker then picked up a hamstring injury that forced him to be replaced by Fernando Torres.
No sooner had celebrations died down before it was 2-0, as the Arsenal defence backed off of Andre Schurrle and the German took his chance, firing low into the bottom corner of the net.
It was now that the drama started. Eden Hazard looked to bend the ball into the net and extend Chelsea’s lead as they continued their rampant start.
However, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain saved (brilliantly, it must be said) on the line with his hand – penalty to Chelsea. It was now that referee Andre Marriner incorrectlty sent off the innocent Kieran Gibbs instead of Chamberlain for the incident.
Eden Hazard converted the penalty to make it 3-0 to the Blues, as fans inside Stamford Bridge were still stunned at Marriner’s error.
Before half-time, Oscar made it four by connecting with Torres’ cross. It was the same scoreline that Arsenal found themselves down by at half-time at Anfield earlier this season.
During half-time, Marriner admitted it was simply a case of mistaken identity that led to the incorrect dismissal of left-back Kieran Gibbs.
Another goal from Oscar and a first for the club for Mohamad Salah gave Chelsea their biggest victory in history against Arsenal and Mourinho’s largest league victory in charge of Chelsea, the game finishing 6 (six!) goals to none.
It was the Chelsea midfield that took charge of the game today; catching Arsenal’s midfield players, such as Santi Cazorla, in possession many a time to then spring a now famous Chelsea counter-attack.
Arsene Wenger once again failed to beat Jose Mourinho at the 11th time of asking.
Chelsea got their title charge back on track following the shock defeat at Villa park last weekend and they’re now 7 points clear of Liverpool and 8 ahead of City, however both teams have games in hand on Mourinho’s men.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was understandably a lot happier following today’s game than last week following the defeat to Villa:
“Last Saturday the momentum was broken, and now we are trying to build more momentum.”
A common theme of this week’s Chelsea games have been the fast starts made by the side, and this has been recognised by the manager who was impressed with today’s flying start:
“There were 10 amazing minutes. I am so happy with the approach. After that first 10 minutes, the job was easy.”
Despite the large scoreline, the BT Sport MOTM award went to makeshift left-back Cesar Azpilicueta, who once again put in a solid performance to enhance his reputation. It is reported that the club are ready to offer the Spaniard a new contract.
Who was your Man of the Match?
Chelsea have some very favourable fixtures in their Premier League run in, with the only top half side left to play being Liverpool at Anfield.
Mourinho will next take charge of his Chelsea side when they travel to Crystal Palace next Saturday before travelling to Paris for their Champions League quarter-final clash with PSG.
Chelsea vs Arsenal- post-match facts:
- This is the fourth time that Arsenal have conceded 6+ goals in a Premier League game, two of those games have been this season
- This was the joint-heaviest margin of defeat suffered by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal
- Chelsea scored more goals today (6) than Arsenal had shots on target (5)
- It is now 11 games that Arsene Wenger has failed to beat Jose Mourinho in
- Arsene Wenger also tasted defeat in his 500th game in charge of Arsenal – a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
