EDEN HAZARD SCORED a sublime solo goal as Premier League leaders Chelsea thrust a dagger into Arsenal’s title aspirations with a 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian winger left a trail of defenders in his wake to double Chelsea’s lead in the 53rd minute, in between a contentious header by Marcos Alonso and a late lob from Arsenal old boy Cesc Fabregas.
It was Chelsea’s 11th home victory in succession and their 16th win in 18 league games, stretching their lead over third-place Arsenal to a huge 12 points with 14 games of the season remaining.
Chelsea have been close to unplayable since Antonio Conte changed their system during their 3-0 loss at Arsenal on September 24 and it seems only a matter of time until they are crowned champions.
For Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who watched from the stands as he served the third game of a four-match touchline ban, his side’s season is following a wearily familiar pattern.
Arsenal have lost their last five games at the Bridge and had conceded 13 unanswered goals prior to Olivier Giroud’s stoppage-time consolation.
They have lost four of their last nine league games and once again face the prospect of a run-in given suspense only by the tussle for Champions League places.
With a raft of midfielders unavailable, Wenger was obliged to start with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain alongside Francis Coquelin in the middle, while Theo Walcott replaced Giroud in attack.
Arsenal had conceded two goals in the first 13 minutes of Tuesday’s 2-1 loss at home to Watford.
They almost caught Chelsea cold here, Alex Iwobi curling wide after Thibaut Courtois overhit a pass towards David Luiz.
But after Gary Cahill had headed into the ground and over the bar at the other end, Chelsea went ahead in the 13th minute with a goal that left Arsenal fans fuming.
Pedro sent a cross into the box from the right that Diego Costa headed against the bar at the near post, sending the ball spinning into the air.
As Hector Bellerin got himself in position to head it away, and with Walcott watching on impassively, Alonso flew in, cleaning his fellow Spaniard out with his forearm and heading the ball home.
Referee Martin Atkinson allowed the goal to stand and Arsenal’s disappointment was compounded by the sight of a dazed Bellerin being led down the tunnel, with Gabriel taking his place.
Chelsea were buoyant, Costa driving a shot into the side-netting and Pedro forcing Petr Cech to push the ball behind from Alonso’s accurate cut-back.
But Arsenal ended the first half strongly, Courtois producing a stunning one-handed save to turn Gabriel’s header over the bar and then dropping onto a tame effort by Mesut Ozil.
It took a last-ditch tackle by Laurent Koscielny to prevent Hazard scampering clear early in the second half, but when the Chelsea number 10 picked up the ball in the 53rd minute, there was no getting it back.
After striding onto a loose ball in the centre circle, he beat Koscielny, shrugged off Coquelin, leaving him flat on his back, and then outfoxed Koscielny again before squeezing a shot past Cech.
On the touchline, Conte celebrated with characteristic abandon.
There were flickers from Arsenal, Courtois clawing away a deft header from substitute Danny Welbeck, before Fabregas lobbed in from 25 yards after Cech shanked the ball straight to him.
Giroud reduced the arrears, heading in from Nacho Monreal’s cross.
I’d say that’s Chelsea’s league now. Unless they completely implode but can’t see it happening. Conte has done a great job there in fairness.
Agreed Johnny agus an_beal_bocht. To be fair to Chelsea they have been very consistent. Even after that defeat by Spurs they’ve picked up the pace again. It’s just a competition for the Champions League places now.
@Sloop John G: ya can take Liverpool out of that race now….
Who’d have thought that David Luiz would be the last piece of the puzzle….
Who would have thought David Luiz, Alonso and Victor Moses. Would be in the defense that wins the league
Wenger must go at the end of the season. He has to walk because he will never be forced out. Too many excuses and not enough solutions to problems he himself has caused the last few seasons. Ozil shouldn’t be anywhere near a team that’s supposedly trying to win the league, a passenger and too weak. Players hiding, goalkeeper past it and haven’t had a leader in years. As a neutral I always liked watching Arsenal over any English club but now all they do is frustrate, new ideas badly needed!
Wenger has just said in his post match press conference that the club have offered him a 2 year deal. He’s ruined his legacy already. He’ll take the extension, the fans will go into meltdown and Arsenal will win f**kall for another 2 years. He has to go in May
Kante is a freak of nature what an outstanding player. He’s the first, second and third best centre midfielder in the premiership simply brilliant!
Would love to see his distance covered over say a month, it’s got to be up there with the top athletes, phenomenal stuff not seen since Keane in his heyday
Hazard is looking deadly!
Tá sé thart anois
Pity as it was shaping up to a great competition before Christmas
Chelsea keep rolling towards the league winners
League over by February. What a joke the EPL is.
@Ciaran Rice: More like what a joke Arsenes Arsenal are..
Pep’s city is a bigger joke IMO, particularly considering the resources and supposed stars there
Ringrose is an exciting prospect but had too big of a job in the 13 channel , experience will do him good,
3 Scottish tries twice there was no backfield defence from rob Kearney even though his positioning and experience are reasons he’s see red , the other a piece of innovative thinking from the scots ,
They deserved the win and ringrose amd co will learn from it
The swipe feature on the 42 is making me look bad, meant that for the rugby article , at least there’s a delete button… oh wait :/
Quick! Everyone laugh at this weakling! (jk)
Wonder what the two whingers at man u and arsenal think of it.
League over , pure shite this year .