Arsenal vs Chelsea
Match pulse
Who won: Chelsea 2-0
Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-0 on Sunday, December 18, 2005 at Highbury. Goals for Chelsea: Arjen Robben (39') and Joe Cole (73').
Play by play
- 92'
FULL-TIME: Chelsea power to a huge victory - and one that will dishearten the entire Premiership, who had been hoping that Arsenal could put a seed of doubt in the Champions' minds.
- 90'
This will be Arsenal's third Premiership defeat on the trot - the first time in Wenger's reign that will have happened.
- 89'
The Arsenal fans are very quiet as they contemplate how toothless their side has been against this efficient Chelsea team.
- 88'
A cheeky Henry backheel releases Lauren inside the penalty area, but Chelsea skipper Terry flies across to make the block as Lauren shoots.
- 87'
CHELSEA SUB: Huth replaces Drogba. A defensive change from Mourinho as he tries to preserve their two-goal cushion.
- 86'
The game is rather limping to its conclusion; Arsenal are passing the ball about nicely, but there is simply no way through the Blue wall.
- 85'
Lampard goes in to the book, seemingly for a succession of tame but noticeable second-half fouls.
- 84'
Chelsea are finding some space behind the Arsenal back-four as the home side go searching for a goal. Lampard has his first shot of the match, though it's wayward.
- 82'
SHOT! Superb work from Bergkamp as he works himself some space, 25 yards out, and unleashes a low, curling shot. Cech is down to his left to turn it around the post.
- 81'
ARSENAL SUB: Van Persi off, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie on. A rare first-team appearance for the pacey youngster.
- 80'
Chelsea are taking their time over set-pieces and really doing a good job of killing the game off - much to Arsenal's frustrations.
- 79'
Arsenal are so narrow in attack that it is easy for Chelsea to defend; they simply pack the middle of the field, and Arsenal have no space to play their way through.
- 78'
That second goal has really killed the game; any confidence that the home side had has evaporated. "There's only one team in London," chant the Chelsea fans. Not strictly true, but I understand their sentiment.
- 77'
CHELSEA SUB: Geremi on, Robben off. The Chelsea winger takes an age to leave the field as he is replaced by the more defensive-minded Cameroonian international.
- 76'
SAVE! Cole strikes a low shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball comes through a crowd of players, but Lehmann is down superbly to his right and tips the ball around the post.
- 76'
Chelsea prepare to make a change, with Geremi receiving some last-minute instructions from Mourinho.
- 75'
Henry strikes the shot, but it's straight at Cech, who claims easily.
- 74'
Arsenal win a free-kick in a dangerous spot, just outside the penalty area. Henry and Van Persie stand over the ball...
- 74'
Cole is in superb form at the moment, and that was a superb curling shot. Chelsea look invinceable.
- 73'
Wonderful finish by Cole from the edge of the penalty area. Surely that's game over now; Arsenal don't look capable of getting back in to this.
- 72'
GOAL! Cole robs Lauren in his own half, runs at Campbell and curls a superb left-foot shot inside the far post.
- 71'
Arsenal seem to be playing with three up front now, and three in midfield. They desperately need an equaliser to keep the title alive.
- 70'
ARSENAL SUBS: Ljungberg and Hleb off, Bergkamp and Pires come on. Attacking changes from the home side as they take a chance on getting back in to the game.
- 69'
Mourinho is furious with the referee after a free-kick decision goes against his side when Robben and Ljungberg clash.
- 68'
Chelsea seem content to keep the ball and frustrate the home side, who are hunting desperately to get it back.

