Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal Barclays Premier League Result: Diego Costa lashes out at Gabriel and Laurent Koscielny to spark FOUR-minute melee... and hothead escapes red while defender is sent off for kick
- Kurt Zouma heads in Cesc Fabregas free-kick to open scoring
- Eden Hazard shot deflects in off Calum Chambers for second
- Gabriel shown red card after kicking out at Diego Costa
- And Santi Cazorla is sent off late on for mis-timed tackle on Fabregas
- Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal: Read our match report from Stamford Bridge
Chelsea
beat Arsenal 2-0 in a fiery encounter that saw Gabriel sent off for
kicking Diego Costa and Santi Cazorla shown a second yellow later on in
the match for a foul on Pedro.
Goals from Kurt Zouma and Eden Hazard sealed a much needed win for Jose Mourinho's side.
Catch up with all the action as it happened from Stamford Bridge.
-
Adam Shergold
Host commentator
14:41
Full time - Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0
No handshake this time. Arsene Wenger straight down the tunnel as Jose Mourinho applauded his players.
That is that and Chelsea finally get their season up and running with a victory aided by two Arsenal sendings off. Goals from Kurt Zouma, a towering header from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick, then an Eden Hazard shot that deflected in off Calum Chambers, seal their second win of the league season.
The talking point though will be the two sendings off. Gabriel was wound up by Diego Costa, kicking out at his legs and being dismissed. And late in the game, Santi Cazorla was shown a second yellow for a mis-timed tackle on Cesc Fabregas.
That is that and Chelsea finally get their season up and running with a victory aided by two Arsenal sendings off. Goals from Kurt Zouma, a towering header from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick, then an Eden Hazard shot that deflected in off Calum Chambers, seal their second win of the league season.
The talking point though will be the two sendings off. Gabriel was wound up by Diego Costa, kicking out at his legs and being dismissed. And late in the game, Santi Cazorla was shown a second yellow for a mis-timed tackle on Cesc Fabregas.
14:38
90+2min - Last change for Chelsea
Chelsea make their third and final change as we enter five minutes of stoppage time, with Mikel on for Cesc Fabregas.
14:35
GOAL! Chelsea 2 (Chambers own goal 90) Arsenal 0
And there is Chelsea's second goal. More pressure on the
Arsenal back line down the right and as they failed to clear it was
moved by Remy to Hazard, whose hit deflected off Calum Chambers and
wrong-footed Cech.
There will be some dispute as to whether it was heading in and Hazard will no doubt claim it but Chambers deflected the ball quite decisively.
There will be some dispute as to whether it was heading in and Hazard will no doubt claim it but Chambers deflected the ball quite decisively.
Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides second goal
14:33
87min - Hazard free-kick over
Chelsea pushing for a second goal and a Hazard free-kick from about 25 yards is deflected by the wall over the bar.
14:27
82min - Costa comes off
Time for a Chelsea sub and a very clever one. Diego Costa
will be taken off, moments after another ill-advised tackle, and Loic
Remy comes on. The home fans stand as one to applaud the Spaniard off.
Costa looks very annoyed at being taken off.
14:24
79min - Cazorla shown second yellow card
Bad to worse for Arsenal I'm afraid. Fabregas just got to the
ball a fraction before Santi Cazorla, getting a toe end on the ball,
and then the Arsenal man slid in and fouled him. Correct decision by
Mike Dean though it's not gone down well.
14:20
75min - Two changes for Arsenal
Diego Costa twisting and turning his way past a couple of
defenders on the edge of the box. Bellerin puts his arm across his
stomach, Costa collapses on the floor. Nothing doing.
Arsene Wenger going for break now with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on for the disappointing Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud on for Mesut Ozil.
Arsene Wenger going for break now with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on for the disappointing Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud on for Mesut Ozil.
14:16
72min - Chambers goes into the book
Chambers becomes the latest player to be booked as he slides
in on Eden Hazard. Didn't get much of the ball and deservedly is
cautioned.
14:14
69min - Pedro over as Oscar is taken off
Such a waste... Oscar had the chance to run at the Arsenal
defence, which looks awfully stretched. He passed square along the edge
of the box to Pedro coming in and he shoots wildly and over, ignoring
the well-placed Costa to his right.
That will be Oscar's last contribution as he is replaced by Ramires in an effort to shore up the 1-0 lead.
That will be Oscar's last contribution as he is replaced by Ramires in an effort to shore up the 1-0 lead.
14:11
PICTURE: Well, his middle name is Happy!
Kurt Happy Zouma celebrates his goal
14:10
65min - Chance for Hazard as Oscar is booked
Not far off a second goal for Chelsea. Hazard with a gorgeous
turn, a burst of acceleration through the Arsenal defence and a low
angled shot across the face of goal that slides just past the post.
Oscar, meanwhile, has been booked for a rash and late challenge on Laurent Koscielny a few moments ago. Mike Dean played the advantage but now comes back to book the Brazilian.
Oscar, meanwhile, has been booked for a rash and late challenge on Laurent Koscielny a few moments ago. Mike Dean played the advantage but now comes back to book the Brazilian.
14:05
60min - Sanchez comes close
Close to the leveller. A ball in over the top, Cahill allowed
it to bounce, Zouma completely failed to clear and Sanchez, with it set
up just to volley it home, misjudges and misses it. Agonisingly close
for the Gunners.
14:03
58min - Hazard tests out Cech
Close to a second as Hazard sizes up the goal from 25 yards
and fires off a powerful, swerving effort that Cech had to watch closely
and then beat out. Strong hands by the Czech, though it was close to
him.
13:57
GOAL! Chelsea 1 (Zouma 53) Arsenal 0
There's the breakthrough and the 10 men couldn't hold out
very long. Diego Costa, who is being roundly booed by the away fans,
wins a free-kick about 45 yards out and Cesc Fabregas floated it to the
back post.
Koscielny hadn't stepped up like the rest of the back line and it meant Zouma could sneak in at the back post onside and head past Cech.
Looks worse with each replay for Arsenal, as Zouma was left totally unmarked as he ran through. Poor defending.
Koscielny hadn't stepped up like the rest of the back line and it meant Zouma could sneak in at the back post onside and head past Cech.
Looks worse with each replay for Arsenal, as Zouma was left totally unmarked as he ran through. Poor defending.
Kurt Zouma rises unmarked at the back post to head Chelsea into the lead
13:54
49min - Ivanovic in the book
Arsenal on the counter-attack and a yellow card for Ivanovic
for a shove that gives the Gunners a free-kick in an excellent position
on the edge of the box...
Sanchez took it, the ball striking the wall and knocked out by Begovic.
Sanchez took it, the ball striking the wall and knocked out by Begovic.
13:50
SECOND HALF
Welcome back, Chelsea have just got the second half underway
and they are now the strong favourites to go on and win this against 10
men.
One change at the break, for Arsenal, as Calum Chambers replaces Francis Coquelin, who picked up a knock in the first period
One change at the break, for Arsenal, as Calum Chambers replaces Francis Coquelin, who picked up a knock in the first period
13:46
PICTURE: The incident that defined the first-half as Gabriel kicks out at Costa
13:34
Half-time: Chelsea 0 Arsenal 0
Arsene Wenger stood with hands in pockets waiting to follow the referee Mike Dean into the tunnel as the half-time whistle goes.
Gabriel was done up like a kipper there by Diego Costa, who continued to wind him up after the initial booking and the Arsenal man snapped.
A heated end, then, to a rather disappointing half.
Gabriel was done up like a kipper there by Diego Costa, who continued to wind him up after the initial booking and the Arsenal man snapped.
A heated end, then, to a rather disappointing half.
Diego Costa of Chelsea clashes with Gabriel of Arsenal, leading to yellow cards apiece
Gabriel lost his head and kicked out at Diego Costa
13:32
45+1min - Gabriel loses the plot
Wait... it's not over yet. Gabriel has totally lost it and
has kicked out at Costa during the aftermath of that first challenge. He
has been shown a RED CARD.
The replays show Gabriel backing into Costa, continuing to chat away, then he flicked out with his studs. Such a stupid thing to do, Wenger will be fuming.
The replays show Gabriel backing into Costa, continuing to chat away, then he flicked out with his studs. Such a stupid thing to do, Wenger will be fuming.
13:30
44min - Costa in trouble for reacting to Koscielny
The game opens up all of a sudden, with the play flowing from
end-to-end. Moments after Aaron Ramsey fails to get a shot away at one
end, Chelsea's Pedro is forcing Cech into a smart low save.
And now Costa has reacted to Koscielny after they wrestled together in the box. Costa grabbed the defender by the face and then swung his arm around at him. Then, as they came back together, Costa chested him and Gabriel crashed to the ground.
A yellow card issued to Costa and also Gabriel, who continues to chatter. A case to be made for Costa being lucky to still be on the field.
And now Costa has reacted to Koscielny after they wrestled together in the box. Costa grabbed the defender by the face and then swung his arm around at him. Then, as they came back together, Costa chested him and Gabriel crashed to the ground.
A yellow card issued to Costa and also Gabriel, who continues to chatter. A case to be made for Costa being lucky to still be on the field.
13:23
38min - Long-range hits for Chelsea
A couple of speculative attempts by Chelsea, first from Kurt
Zouma and then from Pedro, from range that sail into the Matthew Harding
Stand without troubling Cech.
Jose Mourinho throws his hands up
13:22
34min - Chelsea penalty appeal
The home fans appealing for a penalty as Gabriel quite
literally wrestles Eden Hazard to the ground near the byline. Have seen
those given, especially as Hazard was forcibly taken away from the ball,
but Mike Dean is not moved.
13:17
32min - Good chance for Pedro
The best chance yet for Chelsea. Fabregas has plenty of time
and space to dink a ball over the top to Pedro, who'd stolen in off the
shoulder of the defender. Cech was quickly out to smother though.
13:16
PICTURE: Petr Cech goes up against Gary Cahill
13:14
29min - Walcott tries to score for Arsenal
Mourinho jumps up form his seat as Ivanovic fouls Sanchez.
Not sure whether the Chelsea boss was annoyed at his defender for the
challenge or the referee for awarding the free-kick!
Meanwhile, Arsenal get in behind briefly and Walcott, opening his body up, tries to curl a shot into the far corner. It's a simple save for Begovic.
Meanwhile, Arsenal get in behind briefly and Walcott, opening his body up, tries to curl a shot into the far corner. It's a simple save for Begovic.
13:10
23min - Costa creating problems
Chelsea starting to assert themselves as we pass the midway
point of the first half. Diego Costa had drifted out wide left and found
the ball at his feet, cutting back inside and firing off a low shot
that Cech got down to stop.
Looks like Coquelin will be fine to continue.
Looks like Coquelin will be fine to continue.
Francis Coquelin of Arsenal battles with Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea
13:06
21min - Injury concern for Coquelin
Francis Coquelin currently down on his haunches. Was dragged
along the floor in a challenge with Matic and stayed down clutching his
knee. He immediately signalled to the bench and Mikel Arteta was sent
straight out to warm up.
13:03
18min - Better stuff from Chelsea
Better from Chelsea as Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas combine
brilliantly down the left wing, forcing a corner. But Arsenal manage to
clear their lines. First signs of life really from the home team.
12:59
PICTURE: Nemanja Matic tackles Alexis Sanchez during the opening minutes
12:58
12min - Sanchez tries his luck
Two excellent tackles in quick succession by Chelsea to rob
Arsenal of possession as they try to attack. First by Oscar and then
Cahill to thwart Walcott as he started to accelerate towards them.
Then Alexis Sanchez collects the ball, spins and works a shooting position. But it's a poor effort that is about five yards wide of the near post.
But early signs that Arsenal are beginning to take control of proceedings.
Then Alexis Sanchez collects the ball, spins and works a shooting position. But it's a poor effort that is about five yards wide of the near post.
But early signs that Arsenal are beginning to take control of proceedings.
12:52
7min - Fabregas shoots from range
Chelsea threaten for the first time and Cesc Fabregas,
playing against his old club of course, suddenly finds the space opening
up in front of him 30 yards out. He shoots and it's comfortable for
Cech, who received a terrific reception from the home fans ahead of
kick-off.
Petr Cech is applauded by the Chelsea fans
12:50
5min - Walcott nearly in behind the Chelsea defence
Lovely ball there by Hector Bellerin, floated into the space
where he knew Theo Walcott would be sprinting into. Asmir Begovic
committed himself but succeeded in pushing Walcott wide and out of play
rather than conceding the foul. Good goalkeeping but an early warning
for Chelsea of Walcott's raw pace.
Kieran Gill: Theo Walcott making runs off the shoulder of the last man. Already done so twice in the opening four minutes. His pace at getting behind could be Chelsea's weakness today...
Kieran Gill: Theo Walcott making runs off the shoulder of the last man. Already done so twice in the opening four minutes. His pace at getting behind could be Chelsea's weakness today...
Theo Walcott collides with the advertising boards to the delight of the home fans
12:48
2min - Arsenal almost break through
A bright opening couple of minutes for Arsenal, with Aaron
Ramsey getting beyond Gary Cahill and to the byline. As he tries to work
room to cross or shoot, Branislav Ivanovic comes in to challenge and
then stares daggers at his team-mates for not handling the threat.
12:45
Wenger and Mourinho shake hands
And yes, there is the handshake between Wenger and Mourinho.
Thank goodness for that. Still, Mourinho was waiting at the top of the
steps from the tunnel for his opposite number, who would have done well
to avoid him.
And as the final bars of 'Blue as the Colour' drift into the London skies, Arsenal kick us off, shooting towards their 3,000 or so travelling fans in the first half.
And as the final bars of 'Blue as the Colour' drift into the London skies, Arsenal kick us off, shooting towards their 3,000 or so travelling fans in the first half.
12:42
Here we go... the two teams emerge
The Premier League weekend starts now... the players of
Chelsea and Arsenal emerge blinking into the west London sunlight. A
full house and a beautifully manicured pitch.
Both opting to wear tracksuits but home strips on underneath. Chelsea in blue, Arsenal in red.
Jose Mourinho was out early, sitting alone for a few minutes in the dug-out as he makes a habit of doing. He's dropped his captain John Terry today - genius or madness? We're about to find out.
Both opting to wear tracksuits but home strips on underneath. Chelsea in blue, Arsenal in red.
Jose Mourinho was out early, sitting alone for a few minutes in the dug-out as he makes a habit of doing. He's dropped his captain John Terry today - genius or madness? We're about to find out.
12:38
Social media rules: Fans strain to capture the arrival of the Chelsea team
12:33
The atmosphere is building at Stamford Bridge
Kieran Gill: Roar from the Arsenal supporters as the players make their way over to train in front of the away end. They're up for it.
Chelsea now going down the tunnel. Less than 15 minutes until KO. The Bridge slowly filling up.
Chelsea now going down the tunnel. Less than 15 minutes until KO. The Bridge slowly filling up.
12:32
Wenger: Handshake is not my main concern
Arsene Wenger has just been on BT Sport. Here's what he had to say:
[On the game] Every game is a new adventure, you come here and try to win the game.
[Changes from the side that lost in Zagreb] It was under special circumstances and we're on a strong run in the Premier League and we want to continue that run.
[Handshake with Mourinho?] That's not my main worry at the moment - it is the performance of the team and the result.
[On the game] Every game is a new adventure, you come here and try to win the game.
[Changes from the side that lost in Zagreb] It was under special circumstances and we're on a strong run in the Premier League and we want to continue that run.
[Handshake with Mourinho?] That's not my main worry at the moment - it is the performance of the team and the result.
12:30
15 MINUTES UNTIL KICK-OFF
Not long left to wait at Stamford Bridge, here's a reminder of the teams:
Chelsea: Begovic, Ivanovic, Cahill, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Matic, Pedro, Oscar, Hazard, Costa
Substitutes: Ramires, Falcao, Mikel, Remy, Terry, Blackman, Loftus-Cheek
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott
Substitutes: Debuchy, Gibbs, Arteta, Giroud, Ospina, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chambers
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Chelsea: Begovic, Ivanovic, Cahill, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Matic, Pedro, Oscar, Hazard, Costa
Substitutes: Ramires, Falcao, Mikel, Remy, Terry, Blackman, Loftus-Cheek
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott
Substitutes: Debuchy, Gibbs, Arteta, Giroud, Ospina, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chambers
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
12:26
PICTURES: Arsenal warm up at Stamford Bridge
Petr Cech warms up as he returns to his former club with Arsenal
Kieran Gibbs of Arsenal warms up ahead of the game
12:21
Mourinho: Terry's omission is a 'tactical decision'
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has just been talking to BT
Sport and, unlike last week, managed to finish the interview without
walking off. Here's what he had to say:
[On this match] In these matches, it is normal that a victory brings some good feelings.
[On dropping Terry and making Ivanovic captain] Ivanovic comes in for Baba. We think Baba is a fantastic potential player but not yet adapted to the characteristics of the PL. The CL is more suited to his play. He did not have a pre-season, he arrived in the last days of the market.
John is a tactical decision. I tried to read the game, read the opponent and predict what they will be. We decided to go with Zouma and Cahill.
[Predictions] Not one of us is in a good moment so it is difficult to predict. But it is a London derby.
[On whether he'll shake Wenger's hand] I think it is a question for him, not for me.
[On this match] In these matches, it is normal that a victory brings some good feelings.
[On dropping Terry and making Ivanovic captain] Ivanovic comes in for Baba. We think Baba is a fantastic potential player but not yet adapted to the characteristics of the PL. The CL is more suited to his play. He did not have a pre-season, he arrived in the last days of the market.
John is a tactical decision. I tried to read the game, read the opponent and predict what they will be. We decided to go with Zouma and Cahill.
[Predictions] Not one of us is in a good moment so it is difficult to predict. But it is a London derby.
[On whether he'll shake Wenger's hand] I think it is a question for him, not for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment