Todays big London derby sees Arsenal return to Stamford Bridge, looking for some revenge for the 6-0 hammering they suffered at the hands of Chelsea last season. Both teams lined up in predictable fashion with Jose Mourinho picking an attacking line-up featuring former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas and his Spanish national teammate Diego Costa, who was starting his third game in 9 days for the Blues despite his recent hamstring woes. Andre Schurrle and Oscar, both of whom scored against Arsenal last season, were named in the starting line-up, with Hazard the third of the attacking midfield trio. Arsenal meanwhile continued to show scant regard for the opposition and continued to line up in attacking fashion with only one change made to their side with Jack Wilshere replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. An in-form Danny Welbeck led the line for the Gunners, with the England international having Alexis Sanchez for company. Arsenal started better than they did last season, with the major talking points in the first 20 minutes a head injury suffered by Thibaut Courtois wherein Chelsea left him on the pitch for an extra 10 minutes before the young Belgian going down a second time before he was replaced by Petr Cech. Meanwhile on the touchline, Gary Cahill left a hard foot in for Alexis Sanchez as retribution and that forced the two Managers to stand toe to toe with each other with Arsene Wenger showing Jose Mourinho while the Portuguese barked at the Frenchman to stay on his side of the pitch and not get involved. An Arsenal error led to their downfall as Kieran Gibbs attempted to take a quick freekick to Alexis Sanchez, but inadvertently put his own team under pressure. Eden Hazard picked up the lose ball and went on a mazy run which ended with him on the deck in the Arsenal box with Koscielny having brought him down. Hazard stepped up to take the penalty and put Chelsea 1-0 ahead. Arsenal had an immediate half-chance to draw level, but Jack Wilshere bursting into the Chelsea box had a poor first touch and that allowed Petr Cech to gobble up the loose ball. Arsenal created nothing of note in a poor first half and were perhaps a little lucky to end it still 11-v-11 with Calum Chambers fortunate not to be booked a second time after having already picked up a yellow card, with John Terry trying desperately to convince the referee to send both Chambers and Koscielny sent off for their respective challenges. Teams: Chelsea:Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fàbregas, Schürrle, Oscar, Hazard, Costa Subs: Cech, Luis, Zouma, Mikel, Salah, Remy, Willian Arsenal:Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Wilshere, Flamini, Cazorla, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck Subs: Martinez, Monreal, Coquelin, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Campbell, Podolski Score: Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal (Hazard pen 27)
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 14:40:50 +0000
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