da brwin： Chelsea’s dominant win over Arsenal on Saturday was typical of their season. They showed passion, pride, determination and a ruthlessness to see of the Gunners and appear to be on a march to the league title, maintaining their 9 point lead over Spurs and and opening a 12 point lead up over Wenger’s side.
da wazamba： Marcos Alonso, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas were the heroes on a day of jubilation at Stamford Bridge.
It’s left Arsenal’s season in tatters and has ensured there are renewed calls from sections of the Gunners support for Arsene Wenger resignation or sacking.
Where Arsenal go now remains to be seen but for Chelsea the only way is up. With no European football to distract them, they can start to dial in on a points total that will secure the title.
Here are FIVE photos that summed up all the action…
Smash and grab
There was a controversial nature to Chelsea’s opener with Marcos Alonso taking man and ball on his way to powering home a header in the first half.
His arm was high and caught Hector Bellerin but the referee judged it was fair and the goal stood. Chelsea fans will care little for the drama and will have been delighted to see such a huge desire from their wing-back to challenge bravely for the ball.
It summed up the difference between the two teams with Chelsea turning up for a battle and Arsenal seemingly turning up just to take part.
Hazard by name…
Hazard’s second half goal was a joy to behold as he held off half the Arsenal team to go on a mazy run and finish smartly past Petr Cech.
Shaking off Gunners players like they weren’t even there, the strength and poise he showed on his surging run was typical of his season so far and will go down as one of the better goals of the season so far.
It was his 10th goal of the season and his performances so far this term will ensure he’s amongst the names in award season.
Ragdolling Arsenal midfielders and defenders on his way to scoring will be one of the defining moments of Chelsea’s entire season should they go on to lift the title.
Kante is king
N’Golo Kante put in a tireless performance across the piece, making tackles and interceptions all over the pitch and sparking his side into lethal counter-attacks when he did win the ball.
Like Hazard he will be in with a shout for Player of the Season of awards in the coming months with many feeling he should have probably won an individual award his performances last year at Leicester.
The Arsenal midfield just couldn’t cope with his physical and combative style and frankly looked weak in comparison.
Blast from the past
Cesc Fabregas scored his first ever Premier League goal against Arsenal towards the end of the match-up and showed grace and respect for Arsenal by not celebrating his effort.
His time at the Gunners obviously meant a lot to him but Chelsea fans will have taken great delight in seeing Arsenal’s former star man score against them in a London derby.
It was a smashing finish and typical of the impact Fabregas has had from the bench this season, always ready to do a job for Conte when asked.
Conte’s champions?
Antonio Conte’s side are well on their way to being champions and the result against Arsenal was a massive step. That might be why he showed more passion on the touchline than usual, even for him. Embracing the crowd when goals went in and a constant live-wire on the touchline, you get the impression that the Chelsea manager knew exactly how big the game was, despite managers often trying to downplay these fixtures as just another three points.
Winning the title in his first season would be a magnificent achievement but to do it in such dominating fashion would be remarkable.