BLUE JUGGERNAUT GUNS DOWN ARSENAL AT THE BRIDGE!

Story written by Patrick Kamanga

GAME OF THE WEEK:

BLUE JUGGERNAUT GUNS DOWN ARSENAL AT THE BRIDGE!

Costa made sure of matters

In a close knit tactical affair pitting London’s big two, both rivals set out on an identical 4-2-3-1 formation which for large swathes of the game cancelled each other out but Chelsea’s class eventually came through at critical moments, shifting gear and finally pulling away from their opponents. With both these teams manager’s engaged in a protracted “hate-hate” relationship manifested by the war of words that has been ongoing for the last decade, there was a general feeling that “Le Professeur” Arsene Wenger had had it and might pull off a blindsided surprise sucker punch, tactically and catch Jose Mourinho off guard but the “Shrink” outmaneuvered him eventually.

The hate-hate relationship almost boiled over to a fist fight

The two managers actually almost came to blows, physically, at the touchline on the 20^th minute when Gary Cahill made a rush, crunching tackle on Alexis Sanchez and it took prompt action by the fourth official to separate them and a stern warning by the referee Martin Atkinson for peace to prevail.

The first half was largely an even affair credit to Arsenal’s midfield pair of Mathieu Flamini and Jack Wilshire who stood up to and neutralized the menacing threat of Chelsea’s freewheeling midfield. The Blues were content on holding the ball and passing it around while Arsenal’s intention was clear; impede and hit on the counter. This ploy almost paid off as early as the 10^th minute when Cazorla put Wilshire through but his pace let him down as he arrived in the box late and clattered the advancing Thibout Courtois knocking him out cold in the process. Courtois was to depart the game a little later providing veteran goalkeeper Peter Cech his first Premier League appearance of the season. Calum Chambers surprisingly had a good game displaying a lot of promise in containing danger man Eden Hazard’s runs with the exception being the 26^th minute when Fabregas teed the Belgian through and from a dizzying run that saw him skip over Santi Cazorla, then Chambers finally bursting through into the Arsenal box where Kolcieny as the last impediment, the Frenchman had little choice but to hack down Hazard to earn Chelsea a penalty kick! From the resultant spot kick, Hazard made no mistake sending Szechzny the wrong way to put the Blues infront 1-0.

From a swift counter attack, a long diagonal ball found Andre Schurrle in an advanced position, who controlled the ball and was about to run past Chambers who brought him down clumsily and as the last man survived a straight red card getting away with a verbal caution and a yellow card on the 40^th minute.

As the second half progressed Arsenal upped their game and dictated the tempo of the game in the early exchanges with Chelsea sitting back content on holding out. Mesut Ozil had an off colour display and didn’t offer the Gunners much impetus giving a lethargic performance bordering on disinterest, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain should have been a better fit from the get go. Likewise, Ozil's Germany national teammate Andre Schurrle had an off day often slowing the Blues advance, making late runs and providing poor passes, Willian would have offered the Blues more thrust.

A Wilshire’s shot that grazed the rushing Fabrega’s forearm on the 63^rd minute, was ignored by the ref so were the Arsenal players’ pleas for a penalty with a corner awarded instead.

Both sides made substitutions on the 69^th minute which changed the course of the game and affected the eventual outcome. For the home side, John Obi Mikel came on for Andre Schurrle while for the visitors, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain came on for Cazorla which was a negative move on Wenger’s part who should taken off Ozil instead and retained the Spaniard. Obi Mikel’s inclusion as anchorman alongside the rock solid Serbian Nemanja Matic further consolidated Chelsea’s stranglehold on the game stifling Arsenal of any space on which to maneuver. It also freed up Fabregas who now joined the offensive side of his midfield and played in the deep pocket where his ability to pass would be lethal. Cazorla’s substitution denied Arsenal the opportunity at a comeback as he’d been at the center of most of their clever runs.

Mourinho’s sub and tactical change paid dividends from a swift counter attack initiated by left back Cezar Azpilicueta who passed the ball to Fabregas at the centre circle. The Spaniard came back to haunt his former club with a deft and precise long lob that found target man Diego Costa beyond the two central defensive pair of Kolcieny and Per Mertasacker, who chested the ball at the edge of the box then gingerly lobbed it into the net beyond the advancing Szezchny to send the Stamford Bridge crowd into pandemonium! 2-0!

The Gunners kept fighting and almost pulled one back when left back Kieran Gibbs sneaked through and only Cech’s quick reflexes blocked a goal bound shot for a corner in the 89^th minute. To crown a physical battle, Welbeck survived a clear send off when he uncharacteristically and unnecessarily made a two footed, studs up lunge at Fabregas perhaps in frustration, earning himself a yellow card.

Inspite of this lose, Arsenal can take a few positives from this game, giving an overall improved display against one of the teams that gave them a hiding last season and is something to build upon. For one Arsene Wenger also showed a rare willingness to be pragmatic and sacrificed flamboyance for a more robust and tactical approach.

In an earlier match Manchester United overcame a stubborn Everton 2-1 at Old Trafford. With the Red Devil’s second half collapse now an expected occurrence, goalkeeper David De Gea gave a virtuoso performance commanding his back-line and making three world class saves to not only keep Man U’s lead intact but out right won them this game!

Angel Di Maria’s shot gave Man U the lead in the 27^th minute, a lead that was almost cancelled out when left back Luke Shaw made a late tackle on to earn Everton a penalty. De Gea stood big and palmed out Leighton Baines' spot kick at the stroke of half time to maintain Man U’s advantage.

Everton came out fired up in the second half taking the game to their more illustrious opponents. 

El Tigre finally opened his goalscoring account

A 54^th minute free kick was played short to Gareth Barry by Baines, who passed the ball back to the left back. Baines' wicked cross curled beyond the retreating defense to find Naismith alone and unmarked who sent a bullet header into the roof of the net to attain parity.  

Save of the season! Man of the match De Gea keeps off Oviedo's volley

Man U regained the upper hand when Valencia found Di Maria outside the box, whose miscued shot was capitalized upon by Radamel Falcao for his first Premier League goal.

De Gea then made two great saves to maintain the status quo, first from a  Leon Osman shot on the 90^th minute and Oviedo’s bullet volley which he dived full length to parry out for a corner in injury time. Overall this was an improved display from the Red Devil's earning themselves a top four spot in what seems like a long time.