Arsenal kept its Premier League title destiny in their own hands as they saw out a nervy 2-1 derby win against Chelsea on Sunday, at the Emirates Stadium in London England.
The Gunners got ahead when captain Bukayo Saka’s deep corner was headed across the six-yard area by Gabriel Magalhaes and fellow defender William Saliba nodded goal-wards. The ball went in off Chelsea’s Mamadou Sarr and Saliba was credited with the goal.
Chelsea levelled in first-half stoppage time as a teasing Reece James corner glanced off the head of Piero Hincapie and into the net for an own goal.
In the second half, Declan Rice’s delivery was met by Jurrien Timber who restored Arsenal’s lead with their 16th league goal from a corner this season.
Arsenal were then given a boost when Chelsea winger Pedro Neto picked up a second yellow card and was sent off, becoming the seventh Chelsea player to be red-carded this season in the Premier League.
Chelsea looked for a way back into the match, however, the heroics of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya helped secure a valuable 2-1 win for the Gunners. The victory restored Arsenal’s five-point lead over Manchester City.
“The feeling that you have to continue to win and win and win, but it is not enough to open a gap,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “This is the beauty and the level of this league.”
Arsenal’s win took them to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City on 59 having played one game fewer. Chelsea are sixth on 45 points after only two points from their last three league games.
Sunday’s Premier League results
Brighton 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Fulham 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea.
