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Chelsea outwit Arsenal to move clear
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-19 10:27
LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Goals from wingers Arjen Robben and Joe Cole
earned Chelsea a 2-0 win over London rivals Arsenal on Sunday, restoring their
nine point-lead at the top of the Premier League.
Chelsea's first league win at Highbury since 1990 put the champions 20 points
clear of Arsenal, all but snuffing out the title hopes of Arsene Wenger's side
who suffered their third successive league defeat without scoring.
Jens Lehmann (L)
looks back as Chelsea's Arjen Robben (R) scores, with Arsenal's Sol
Campbell (C) also looking on, during their English premier league soccer
match at Highbury in London December 18 2005.
[Reuters] |
Dutchman Robben broke a bad-tempered deadlock in the 39th minute when striker
Didier Drogba put him through just over the halfway line.
The speedy winger kept his head to angle a left-footed shot past Jens Lehmann
from 10 metres, the ball hitting the far post before bouncing in.
It was only the second goal of the campaign for Robben who took the Premier
League by storm last season but has lacked confidence recently after hamstring
injury problems.
Cole made it two in the 73rd minute with another fine individual effort to
win possession from Lauren on the right, cut inside and outflank England team
mate Sol Campbell before poking the ball home.
"It's all good at the moment," Cole said. "We are really flying."
Arsenal also had chances in an intense but scrappy game.
Thierry Henry hit the post in the 20th minute and Dutch striker Robin van
Persie had a first-half goal controversially ruled offside. Lauren, substitute
Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires forced Petr Cech into second-half saves.
It was the Czech Rebublic goalkeeper's 50th Premier League game and his 33rd
clean sheet behind a defence that has conceded only seven goals this season.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger bemoaned Van Persie's disallowed goal.
"It's very important to get a decision like that," he said. "In the last few
games we've had decisions against us."
Wenger did not think Chelsea were the better side.
"The first goal completely changed the game," he said.
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