Chelsea simply superb whilst Spurs and Boro draw level

Sunday Night Review

EPL senior writer and co-ordinator James Willoughby takes a look at the latest round of matches in the English Premier League.

League leaders Chelsea have condemned Arsenal to their third straight defeat for the first time in 10 years in the highlight of yet another exciting matchday in the English Premier League.

Despite a strong first half-hour from the Gunners where they carved out some good chances, goals from Dutch international Arjen Robben and young gun Joe Cole helped the reigning champions to a 2-0 win.

Arsenal's season is in tatters with the loss seeing them slip to 20 points behind Chelsea, and Arsene Wenger's men are languishing in eighth position and in real danger of not qualifying for the European Champions League.

Young Frenchman Mathieu Flamini replaced the suspended Gilberto Silva in the heart of midfield for Arsenal as Wenger pulled the changes signalling the future of Arsenal with youngsters Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas preferred ahead of veterans Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires.

For the Blues, Frenchman Claude Makelele slipped back into the holding midfield role after a lengthy lay-off.

After just two minutes, Cole fired wide from just inside the box after good build-up work from Didier Drogba.

Drogba continued to stay in the thick of things when he had his claims for a penalty waived away by referee Rob Styles. Drogba tangled with Arsenal keeper' Jens Lehmann in the box, but the conduct was deemed as acceptable and play continued.

Arsenal, inspired by skipper Thierry Henry started to spark up. Henry went on a mazy run skipping past the challenges of Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry before seeing his right foot shot roll agonizingly against the post.

Just a few moments later, Sol Campbell went flying into a tackle on the left wing and the ball sped to Freddie Ljungberg, who crossed for Dutchman Robin Van Persie. Van Persie took the ball in full flight and he slipped his shot past Chelsea keeper' Petr Cech and into the back of the net.

As Van Persie wheeled off in celebration, the linesman had ruled for offside.

Just as Arsenal had started to control the match, the reigning champions hit back with a killer blow as Robben struck on the counter-attack beautifully. A good ball from Drogba set Robben up, and he made now mistake, firing past Lehmann.

The second half was feisty and spiteful and despite Arsenal giving their all, Chelsea were just too good and Cole finished up the rout with a superb left-foot finish after 73 minutes.

In the other match, Tottenham escaped with a 3-3 draw at the Riverside Stadium against Middlesborough thanks to a late goal from Egyptian striker Mido.

Spurs came from behind twice, and were nearly celebrating a victory after Jermaine Defoe's goalbound shot crashed into the woodwork after 85 minutes.

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