Chelsea went back to the top of the English Premier League with a resounding 2-0 win at home to Arsenal.
Didier Drogba was the chief destroyer with two well taken goals, whilst the defence plus Petr Cech were outstanding in Chelsea’s gallant victory.
Florent Malouda was preferred to Deco and Joe Cole as the support to Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in attack, whislt Ashley Cole returned to the side at left back in place of Yuri Zhirkov.
As mentioned in many circles, Drogba is an alarmingly regular goal scorer against the Gunners and it took just seven minutes for him to find the back of the net at Stamford Bridge. Malouda’s corner was headed on by John Terry to an unmarked Drogba at the back post, who made no mistake in poking past Almunia.
Andrey Arshavin should have equalised for the away side after a long ball dropped over the head of Branislav Ivanovic, but Cech made a brilliant save with his left foot to deny the Russian.
A wonderful counter attack saw Chelsea double their lead. Frank Lampard surged through the midfield before spreading the ball wide right to Drogba. The Ivorian cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable left footed shot past the stranded Almunia.
Cech made two further saves in the second half, firstly to deny Fabregas and then preventing Bendtner getting to a loose ball. Drogba smashed a long range free kick against the crossbar in search of his hat-trick, but it was not to be.
Likewise, Arsenal’s attacking efforts weren’t good enough, pretty much ending their title hopes for yet another season.