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As expected the final game  of the Barclays Premier League weekend was full of drama, excitement and entertainment as Chelsea triumphed over title rivals Arsenal 2 - 0 at Stamford Bridge. Didier Drogba broke the deadlock in a game that seemed evenly poised until the dreaded moment for the young guns of Arsenal. The Gunners were in the game till Alex struck a stupendous freekick in the 85th minute to secure 3 vastly important points for the Blues who seem to have recovered rather well after their harrowing defeat to Manchester City last weekend.

Carlo Ancelotti went with his best possible starting eleven, persisting with the 4-3-3 and placing the formidable trio of Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba upfront. Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel continued to operate the Chelsea midfield in the absence of Frank Lampard while the two African stars were supported by the effervescent Brazilian Ramires. John Terry led the consistent back four for Chelsea which also consisted of Ashley Cole, Ivanovic and Alex.

Arsenal had a host of players missing but with the current crop of players it didn't seem too bad a team by the Gunners' standards. Marouane Chamakh led the line for Arsene Wenger's team with Andrei Arshavin hovering around him. Samir Nasri started while Abou Diaby passed a late fitness test to play in the middle alongside Alex Song and young Jack Wilshere. The back four retained its all French look, while Lukasz Fabianski continued to deputize for the injured Manuel Almunia in goal.

The mammoth encounter could hardly be described as cagey as it was end to end from the onset. Arsenal almost broke the deadlock in the very first minute of the game when Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh's low header zipped past the post. Both Fabianski and Cech were called upon to prove their mettle in the opening exchanges. Andrei Arshavin was on his 'A game' at the start as he tested Petr Cech more than once in the half. The game wasn't very fluent, as the tackles were flying in midfield and the passing was a little muffled. Both teams had their fair share of set piece opportunities but neither actually created anything of it.

Didier Drogba had a huge chance in the 34th minute when Ramires spotted his run with a brilliant through ball. The Ivorian's powerful strike was well blocked by Fabianski. Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 39th minute via Drogba as one would have predicted. Ramires won the ball in the middle of the park, releasing former Gunner Ashley Cole, who squared the ball for the powerful striker. Drogba produced an audacious backheel which glanced in off the near post. One couldn't say that it was against the run of play as Chelsea were matching Arsenal stride for stride. The Blues grew in confidence after their goal and finished the half in a very dominant position. Chelsea haven't lost a single game against Arsenal with Didier Drobga in the team and it was difficult to see that changing at the final whistle.

The second half was near identical to the first with near misses on both sides. Anelka missed a golden opportunity in the 58th minute, hitting the side netting despite having an easy sight on goal. Arsenal pressed hard and forced Chelsea to commit mistakes in possession. Ashley Cole put the ball in the back of the net after connecting to a neat cross from Nicolas Anelka on the left. But the English fullback was rightly flagged offside by the linesman as he had begin his run a tad early.

Marouane Chamakh was threatening throughout the game, exploiting Chelsea's aerial vulnerability. The Moroccan had scores of chances to score but luck was just not with him tonight. Arsenal just didn't have their scoring boots on in the game. The Gunners created numerous openings but the final finish just never arrived. Chelsea punished Arsenal for their poor finishing with a second goal in the 85th minute. The home team received a free kick from outside the area with 5 minutes of regulation time left on the clock. It seemed certain that Drogba would take the strike but to everyone's surprise Brazilian defender Alex struck the ball with such venom that everyone was forced to rise to their feet and applaud. Lukasz Fabianski kept the Gunners in the game saving Michael Essien's effort from point blank range just seconds later.

Chelsea continued to stay at the top of the table with a strong performance against a major title rival. The Blues lie 4 points ahead of second placed Manchester City who surpassed local rivals Manchester United and Arsenal after their slightly fortuitous win over Newcastle United in the early kick off. Carlo Ancelotti's team seem to be the most dominant and infallible bunch of players one has witnessed in recent memory. The 'Jose Mourinho' era did bring about a certain kind of invincible air around Stamford Bridge but under the current management, a blend of both beauty and the beast seems to have been forged.

Arsenal will be disappointed with the result, having given a good account of themselves in the game but struggling to put the final touches to their 'beautiful football' on the field. In fairness to Arsene Wenger, he was missing his best players in each position - Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Thomas Vermaelen and Manuel Almunia, and a fully fit Arsenal might still have the credentials to challenge for honours later in the season. Sadly for Wenger, the move to the Emirates has proved exceptionally unlucky from an injury stand point, and with the international break coming up he will be a worried man about having to add to his star studded team which occupies the Arsenal physio room!

Team Line-ups:

Chelsea (4-4-2) - Cech, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic (Ferreira 73'), Malouda, Essien, Obi Mikel (Sturridge 89'), Ramires (Zhirkov 83'), Drogba, Anelka

Arsenal (4-2-3-1) - Fabianski, Sagna, Squillachi, Clichy, Konscielny, Nasri, Diaby (Rosicky 70'), Song, Arshavin (Vela 87'), Wilshere (Emmanuel Thomas 81'), Chamakh

Final Score: Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal (Didier Drogba 40', Alex 85')

File Photograph Copyright: Ryu Voelkel

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