Chelsea FC Defeat Nine Man Arsenal FC 2-0
Chelsea FC would look to build upon their success midweek with a strong showing against London rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. As seems to be the normal with Chelsea matches, there were storylines abound. The Gunners got the best of the Blues in the FA Community Shield last month, Petr Cech was making his return to his former ground, and regular starters such as Branislav Ivanovic, and Nemanja Matic would return to the starting XI after being dropped for the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
A notable absence would be longtime captain John Terry, who would begin the game on the bench.
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After a rather pedestrian start to the game, things would pick up around the 15th minute. Chelsea would go on their best run of play to that point, but couldn’t make anything come to fruition. Still the involvement of Pedro, and particularly Diego Costa was encouraging.
In the 32nd minute, Pedro had a chance to put the home side in front. The winger found himself in behind the Arsenal defense coming down the right flank. But Cech read the ball well, and was able to smother the shot before it could be a problem.
Matters would escalate at the end of the first half. In stoppage time, Gabriel was sent off, reducing Arsenal to ten men. Costa was up to his usual self, being an annoyance to the entire Arsenal defense. After a dust-up with Laurent Koscielny, Costa and Gabriel both earned yellow cards for the reactions. Gabriel then received a second yellow for what seemed to be a kick out at Costa.
With the game opening up a bit before the half ended, Chelsea would surely look to go on the attack right from the first kick of the second half.
The breakthrough was found in the 53rd minute, and it would come from Kurt Zouma. Cesc Fabregas clipped in a free kick to the far post, and Zouma was there to nod the ball past Cech. Chelsea were now 1-0 up and a man up as well.
In the immediate aftermath of the goal, Chelsea weren’t able to put the game away, and indeed Arsenal showed some positive play. Theo Walcott continued to be a thorn in the backline’s side with his pace, and he continually tested Zouma and Gary Cahill.
However, things went from bad to worse for the Gunners in the 79th minute, as Santi Cazorla was shown his second yellow for a tackle that deserved as much. Arsenal were now reduced to nine men, and still a goal down.
Eden Hazard would finish the game in style for Chelsea with a stoppage time goal. The ball fell to him inside the box, and while his effort took a deflection, he’ll surely try and take the credit in the end. Up 2-0, with a two-man advantage, this was a priceless three points for Chelsea against one of their most hated rivals.
In what will hopefully be a turning point in the season, the Blues took the spoils in a dramatic London derby. While Costa still looked somewhat off the mark, Fabregas and Hazard both put in good performances, which can only be a good sign.
Next: Chelsea FC v Arsenal: 3 Great Moments