helsea five points clear at the top Costa scores ninth goal in seven league games Wenger not beaten Mourinho in 12 attempts Eden Hazard scores second goal of the season Chelsea cemented their position at the top of the Premier League with victory over Arsenal as Arsene Wengers winless streak against Jose Mourinho was extended to 12 games. The old adversaries squared up in an ugly first-half moment when Wenger shoved Mourinho in the chest in Chelseas technical area after Gary Cahills challenge on Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. A semblance of order was restored although the tension still resurfaced - but as so often, it was Mourinho who had the last word with a win that puts the Blues five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City. Eden Hazards first-half penalty put them on their way after he was fouled by Laurent Koscielny, while Diego Costas ninth goal in seven games since his £32m summer move from Atletico Madrid wrapped up the win. This never threatened to be a repeat of Chelseas 6-0 thrashing of Arsenal in March that marred Wengers 1,000th match in charge of the Gunners, but there was rarely a moment when his side threatened to end his dismal sequence against Mourinho as they suffered their first league loss of the season. The home side may not have produced the flamboyant football that has featured in some of their play this season, but the old steel at the back is still in evidence and, in Costa and former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, they have acquired a potent partnership. Costas goalscoring has caught the eye but the wonderful raking pass from Fabregas that set up the second goal silenced the taunts aimed from the visiting fans and was his seventh Premier League assist of the season. It was the crowning moment of a Chelsea performance that was ruthlessly efficient and sounded an ominous note to those hoping to stop Mourinho reclaiming the Premier League title this season.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 18:56:11 +0000