Didier Drogba and Alex gave Chelsea a 2–0 win over title rivals Arsenal in Sunday’s London Derby in the English Premier League.
Chelsea’s overall superiority was hammered home in the 85th minute with a superb freekick by defender Alex, struck with the outside of the right foot and swerving viciously past the hapless Lukasz Fabianski in the Arsenal net.
The first goal had been somewhat against the run of play, late in the first half, again a scintillating finish, this time from man of the moment, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.
The Brazilian Ramires is still settling in at Chelsea, and did not have a great start to this game, but it was his excellent through ball that released Ashley Cole on the left.
Although Cole’s low cross was behind Drogba, the Ivory Coast striker showed his class by somehow managing to connect with the ball and fire it into the tightest of spaces available.
It was Drogba’s 13th goal against Arsenal in just 11 starts, an incredible record.
Arsenal confirmed what their critics have been saying for some time; that despite great technical ability and impressive passing movement, they do not have a winning mentality. Although much of the pre-match talk of Chelsea “bullying” Arsenal did not transpire, Arsenal lacked the killer instinct in front of goal.
The North London side had two great chances right at the beginning of the game, with Marouane Chamakh heading wide a Bacary Sagna cross, and Lauren Koscielny heading over from just two yards off a corner.
It was initially hard to see how Koscielny had missed; on the instant replay, it appears that he somehow stumbled as he leapt, twisting in mid-air and catching the ball on the back of his head, blazing it over when it was easier to score.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said, “The game should have been over before it started. We had two chances in the first minute, one very easy.”
Arsenal also failed to take advantage of several other goal scoring opportunities, most in the first half, and often falling to Chamakh.
Ramires in particular showed his worth to Chelsea in the 58th minute, expertly blocking Chamakh inside the penalty area, with a well-timed last ditch lunge.
But the second half really belonged to Chelsea, with great chances for Nicolas Anelka and Michael Essien, and a only a very tight offside decision denying Ashley Cole what may well have been a valid goal.
Assistant manager Ray Wilkins said after the game, “For us to beat them is always a delight. It is not always pretty to look at but it was effective and I thought the lads were terrific.”
Chelsea are now four points clear at the top of the Premier League, with just seven games played.
In other Sunday action, Liverpool suffered a surprising home loss to newly promoted Blackpool 2–1. The Reds find themselves in the relegation zone after a disastrous start to the year.
Manchester City beat Newcastle United 2–1 to take over second place behind Chelsea.
Chelsea’s overall superiority was hammered home in the 85th minute with a superb freekick by defender Alex, struck with the outside of the right foot and swerving viciously past the hapless Lukasz Fabianski in the Arsenal net.
The first goal had been somewhat against the run of play, late in the first half, again a scintillating finish, this time from man of the moment, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.
The Brazilian Ramires is still settling in at Chelsea, and did not have a great start to this game, but it was his excellent through ball that released Ashley Cole on the left.
Although Cole’s low cross was behind Drogba, the Ivory Coast striker showed his class by somehow managing to connect with the ball and fire it into the tightest of spaces available.
It was Drogba’s 13th goal against Arsenal in just 11 starts, an incredible record.
Arsenal confirmed what their critics have been saying for some time; that despite great technical ability and impressive passing movement, they do not have a winning mentality. Although much of the pre-match talk of Chelsea “bullying” Arsenal did not transpire, Arsenal lacked the killer instinct in front of goal.
The North London side had two great chances right at the beginning of the game, with Marouane Chamakh heading wide a Bacary Sagna cross, and Lauren Koscielny heading over from just two yards off a corner.
It was initially hard to see how Koscielny had missed; on the instant replay, it appears that he somehow stumbled as he leapt, twisting in mid-air and catching the ball on the back of his head, blazing it over when it was easier to score.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said, “The game should have been over before it started. We had two chances in the first minute, one very easy.”
Arsenal also failed to take advantage of several other goal scoring opportunities, most in the first half, and often falling to Chamakh.
Ramires in particular showed his worth to Chelsea in the 58th minute, expertly blocking Chamakh inside the penalty area, with a well-timed last ditch lunge.
But the second half really belonged to Chelsea, with great chances for Nicolas Anelka and Michael Essien, and a only a very tight offside decision denying Ashley Cole what may well have been a valid goal.
Assistant manager Ray Wilkins said after the game, “For us to beat them is always a delight. It is not always pretty to look at but it was effective and I thought the lads were terrific.”
Chelsea are now four points clear at the top of the Premier League, with just seven games played.
In other Sunday action, Liverpool suffered a surprising home loss to newly promoted Blackpool 2–1. The Reds find themselves in the relegation zone after a disastrous start to the year.
Manchester City beat Newcastle United 2–1 to take over second place behind Chelsea.
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