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Chelsea's Drogba celebrates - Source: Reuters -
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First-half goals from Didier Drogba earned Chelsea a 2-0 win
over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Monday, securing them a return
to the top of the Premier League two points ahead of Manchester
United.
Drogba, who has scored 12 goals in 12 appearances against Arsenal
since joining Chelsea in 2004, was left unmarked at the far post
and simply poked home captain John Terry's header from a Florent
Malouda corner in the eighth minute.
Drogba's second came on the break after some sustained pressure
from Arsenal, when England midfielder Frank Lampard burst out of
his half in the 23rd minute, galloped 20 yards and laid the ball
off to the Ivorian on the right of the Arsenal area. The big
striker stepped inside Gael Clichy to ram the ball past a stranded
Manuel Almunia.
The result, following a 3-1 defeat at home by Manchester United
last weekend, leaves Arsenal nine points adrift of Chelsea and
seven behind the champions.
Before the goal Chelsea keeper Petr Cech had had to make two saves
in quick succession, diverting a ball at Samir Nasri's feet behind
for a corner and blocking a shot from Andrei Arshavin with his feet
as Arsenal used the speed of Nasri, Theo Walcott and the tricky
Russian to harass the Chelsea defence.
But Arsene Wenger's team, so energetic in the build up, lacked the
final flourish.
They failed to capitalise on a free kick just outside the area in
the 69th minute after subsititute Nicklas Bendtner was brought down
by Ricardo Carvalho, Cech pulling off a fine double save. Despite
constant moves down the wings, they could not find a way through a
defence stubbornly marshalled by Terry.
The Chelsea captain showed no sign of strain despite being
stripped of the England captaincy on Saturday following a week
of lurid press headlines about alleged extra-marital affairs,
including one with the former girlfriend of England team mate Wayne
Bridge.
Neither Terry, nor Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti, mentioned the
scandal in their programme notes and the club have avoided any
comment. Ancelotti said on Saturday he was not interested in
Terry's private life, only in his performance in training and on
the pitch. His behaviour there had been "top" Ancelotti said, and
he would remain Chelsea skipper.
Almost every touch of the ball by Terry was greeted with boos from
Arsenal fans and cheers from the Chelsea support. The 29-year-old
flung his shirt into the Chelsea crowd after applauding them
following the final whistle.
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger watched mostly stony-faced as his
side's title chances ebbed. His team have not won the league since
2004 and last captured silverware with the FA Cup in
2005.
Arsenal were the last side to beat Chelsea at home, in November
2008, under last-but-one Chelsea coach Luis Felipe
Scolari.
Since then Chelsea, under temporary coach Guus Hiddink and then
Ancelotti, have put together a 36-match undefeated home run,
including 23 in the league.
Another former Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho, whose Inter side face
Chelsea in the Champions League later this month, watched the game
from high in the stands.
In Monday's earlier Premier League game Birmingham City came from
behind at home to beat West Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers
2-1 with two goals from substitute Kevin Phillips.
