Chelsea, in a pulsating match, finally ended their Highbury hoodoo. After a period of in excess of fifteen years, stretching back to March 1990, a goal in the first half from Arjen Robben and a goal in the second from Joe Cole confined the exploits of John Bumstead to the history books.
The victory also saw Chelsea establish a nine point lead at the top, over Manchester United and a twenty point advantage over Arsenal. For Arsenal, the charge for the Premiership crown is now surely over. For Manchester United any hopes that the festive season would arrive with only a six point gap at the top have been extinguished.
For the fixture, Mourinho chose to make four changes to the team that had beaten Wigan the weekend before. In came Petr Cech for Carlo Cudicini, Paulo Ferreira for Asier Del Horno (with William Gallas switching to left back), Claude Makelele for Eidur Gudjohnsen and Didier Drogba for Hernan Crespo.
The first half started with Chelsea totally dominating the first eighteen minutes. Indeed, Arsenal could barely get out of their own half as Chelsea pressed Arsenal’s midfield five and denied them any space to play their attractive football. Unfortunately, the domination didn’t produce any definitive end product and Arsenal, against the run of play, could have taken a shock lead.
Their first opportunity saw Thierry Henry react smartly to strike a shot that rebounded to safety off of the foot of the post before a slick move then saw Robin Van Persie race onto a fine ball to net only to see the offside flag raised. The decision was contentious to say the least with Van Persie proven not to be offside but Thierry Henry, not according to the new rules, lingering in an offside position.
With off the field events having provided enough column inches to fill several tabloids over recent months, there were a couple of occasions when events in the first half seemed likely to do likewise. The first of these saw Michael Essien catch Lauren with a flailing arm that provoked a mass protest from the Arsenal players and bench. The referee rightly saw that common sense prevailed and issued a yellow card. However, Essien wasn’t the first Chelsea player to go into the book as Arjen Robben had previously been booked for a rash challenge.
Thankfully, Robben was to have the last laugh. The Arsenal defence dithered and Robben was away in a flash. With Lehmann trying to narrow the angle, Arjen took his time and swept a deft shot into the net off of the far post. Highbury, apart from the travelling support, was silenced.
Neither manager made any changes for the second half but it wasn’t long before the same pattern of the first half was established. Chelsea easily contained any Arsenal threats and caught them swiftly, on the break, with good counter atttacking football. Indeed, the first half scorer, Arjen Robben, should have netted when presented with two good opportunities.
The first came when he raced clear but appeared to be caught in two minds. Instead of unleashing a shot he tried a delicate backheel to Joe Cole. Sadly, Joe wasn’t quite in a position to receive the pass and the chance had gone begging.
The second came when Robben again ran onto a long ball using his pace with devastating effect. This time he drifted accross the area and Lehmann did well to save his low drive. However, that conclusive second goal wasn’t too far away.
In the seventy second minute Joe Cole did well to rob Lauren as he dithered and he raced away towards the edge of the area. Cooly slipping past Sol Campbell, Joe unleashed a curling left footed low drive that went in off the far post. Joe ran manically towards the Chelsea faithful knowing that Arsenal were almost beaten.
The effervescent midfielder could have scored again when he fired in another low shot after Arsenal had half cleared a corner. This time Lehamnn produced a fine save to tip the shot around the post.
Arsenal posed little danger up front and when any half chances were created John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho were equal to the task, if not, it was left to Petr Cech to produce a couple of smart saves as Chelsea held out for their seventh consecutive clean sheet.
As for Arsenal, the defeat, as well as ending their league hoodoo over Chelsea also saw their attempt to equal the record number of consecutive Premiership home victories thwarted. As an aside, their record of scoring in every Premiership home game since grass was first grown in N5 also bit the dust.
Player Ratings
Petr Cech
The giant Czech keeper showed his class with a series of smart stops. One stop late on showed how he is able to read the game and advance, like lightning, off of his line. Commanded his penalty area and dealt comfortably with most crosses. His kicking was immaculate and the celebrations at the end showed just how much team spirit this side has.
Paulo Ferriera
Recalled in place of Asier Del Horno with William Gallas switching flanks. Very rarely got into the final third of the field but his defensive abilities showed just why Mourinho recalled him. Never once beaten as Arsenal struggled to get any width into their game.
John Terry
As normal, marshalled his defence superbly. Led from the front and when the ball needed clearing, industrial style, John wasn’t afraid to do it. Kept Henry and Van Persie quiet and his steely-eyed expression as he entered the pitch, from the tunnel, showed just how much this fixture meant to him.
Ricardo Carvalho
Now a regular alongside John Terry and reads the game immaculately. Makes the game look easy and never fails to bring the ball out with poise and skill. Caught late by a dreadful lunge from Thierry Henry but simply shrugged it off and got on with the business in hand.
William Gallas
Played at left back, not his favourite position, but still looked the class defender he is. Got forward more than Ferriera but not being on his natural side affected his crossing ability. Hit the side netting with one shot after being set up by Arjen Robben.
Claude Makelele
Recalled to the side after injury and looked as if he’d never been away. Kept the ground in front of the back four his and coped with everything Arsenal tried to feed through him. Unlucky to be booked as Styles sought to keep a grip on a game that had a simmering undercurrent.
Michael Essien
With Makelele returning Michael was able to move forward into his favoured midfield position. Saw an early shot blocked before becoming the villain of the piece after catching Lauren with a flailing arm. Several fouls later Styles left him in no doubt that one more foul and he would be off. Still a class act who’ll be missed when he serves his Champions League suspension when we play Barcelona.
Frank Lampard.
Shed blood for the cause after picking up a head wound in a clash of heads. Made more runs up and down the pitch than I can count and was always breaking up any play Arsenal were trying to string together. Picked up a mouth injury late on and left the pitch with blood trickling from both wounds. A gentleman, a warrior and a true star.
Arjen Robben
Slowly getting back to his best. Had a quiet first half before scoring the goal but after the break went on to do better things. Could have scored two more but his pace had Arsenal in constant trouble. Replaced late on by Geremi as Mourinho sought to close the game down. Picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge.
Didier Drogba
Could have had a penalty in the first half when Lehmann tugged at his shirt but constantly troubled Arsenal’s defence. His powerful running gave Sendros a hard time and when he limped off late, totally exhausted, to be replaced by Robert Huth, he received a standing ovation from the travelling support.
Joe Cole
He’s here, he’s there, he’s every…………… so the song goes. Man of the match, enough said.
Geremi
Replaced Robben as Mourinho sought to wrap the game up.
Robert Huth
Replaced Didier Drogba late on and still had time to make one stirring headed clearance.
Unuised substitutes – Cudicini, Gudjohnsen and Crespo
Manager Rating
Mourinho talked the talk, walked the walk and delivered the three points we’d waited so long for at Highbury. Surely on course for an honourary knighthood especially as he chose not to shake Wenger’s hand after the game.
Opponent Rating
Arsene Wenger – Moaned on about the disallowed goal but really needs to look at how far his team have slipped behind a Chelsea team that now has raised Premeirship football to another level
Nine Points
Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it Sir Alex Ferguson? Merry Xmas!
Twenty Points
Mind the gap all you folks at Highbury as you prepare to leave your sacred home.