Chelsea vs Arsenal
Match pulse
CHEAttacking pressure by 5 minutes
Who won: Chelsea 2-1
Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday, March 23, 2008 at Stamford Bridge. Goals for Chelsea: Didier Drogba (73', 82'). Goals for Arsenal: Bacary Sagna (59').
Play by play
- 90'
FULL-TIME: Who says Chelsea can't mix it with the big boys? Avram Grant answers a few critics and Chelsea are still very much in the hunt for the title. For Arsenal, a bad run of form just got worse and Arsene Wneger will be concerned that the wheels are coming off his slick machine at a crucial juncture of the season.
- 90'
Drogba receives the ball and tempts the Arsenal players to make a challenge on him. Anelka then has the final touch of a famous Chelsea win...
- 90'
Walcott has over-run the ball and Chelsea are in no hurry to take the resultant goal-kick.
- 90'
Some rather pensive looking Arsenal fans in the away end. Still, no work tomorrow chaps so it's not all bad...
- 87'
Nicholas Bendtner replaces Flamini and Joe Cole is applauded off as John Obi Mikel comes on.
- 85'
Clichy stretches to keep the ball from going behind for a Chelsea corner. Arsenal have to dig deep in the next five minutes and at least slavage a point from this.
- 84'
Flamini nutmegs Belletti down the left and then tries to find Adebayor. He can't, but the ball comes back to him and his header causes a bit of panic in the Chelsea defence but nothing more.
- 82'
Drogba almost claims his hat-trick with a rasping low shot which brings a marvellous save from Almunia. The corner comes in and again Almunia is alert to make another block.
- 81'
GOAL: It's that man again Drogba who puts the finishing touches to a fine header from substitute Anelka. The Frenchman finds his striking partner who is six yards out and who makes no mistake with his shot. Chelsea only have to hold out for a few more minutes now.
- 79'
Theo Walcott appears to have sneaked on to the pitch without my noticing. I will attempt to deduce who he has replaced.
- 77'
Diaby is muscled off the ball by Carvalho.
- 76'
Diaby is tripped by Drogba but the ref was a bit quick blowing his whistle as the Arsenal man had momentum and an advantage.
- 75'
Anelka's first telling part in the game is a disappointing one, as he hits a diagonal shot well wide of goal.
- 74'
Lampard lofts a free-kick in the direction of John Terry who is so intent on keeping his eye on the ball that he has not noticed he has run off the pitch.
- 73'
Hleb sets up Van Persie with a fine pass but the Dutchman is unsure whether to pass or shoot and ends up doing neither to the relief of the Chelsea defence.
- 72'
GOAL: The ball breaks to Didier Drogba and he doesn't need a second invitation to drive the ball past Almunia from the edge of the penalty area. A crisp finish and Chelsea's title hopes are reignited.
- 71'
For Arsenal, Bacary Sagna is replaced with Abou Diaby.
- 68'
Ballack has been taken off for Belletti and Nicholas Anelka is now on against his old club.
- 68'
Ballack completely scuffs a shot from eight yards out and he holds his head in his hands. He knows that was a good chance.
- 66'
Meanwhile Carvalho has his head swathed in bandages after a clash of heads. He's made of stern stuff though and is soon back on the pitch. Sagna has been removed from the pitch to receive treatment.
- 66'
Bacary Sagna has turned his ankle and is limping around very awkwardly. The goalscorer's afternoon could be at an end here.
- 63'
Gallas hits a ball over the Arsenal crossbar but concedes the corner. Lampard takes it but Arsenal deal with it and clear the danger.
- 60'
Chelsea respond quickly and the two Cole's create an opening, Joe crossing for Ashley who is well positioned at the far post but is unable to get a good connection on his header.
- 58'
GOAL: Bacary Sagna nips in and hits a fantastic header from a difficult angle to open the scoring. He had his back to goal but somehow managed to get the angle on his header to elude Cudicini. A great time to score your first goal for your club.
- 57'
Van Persie wins a corner for the Gunners which Fabregas prepares to take.
Leaders
CHEARS 
