TEN-MAN Chelsea have escaped a feisty London derby against Arsenal with a point at Stamford Bridge.
A cagey first half was fiercely battled out between the two teams.
There were no goals, but five players were cautioned before half-time, and Chelsea were already down to ten men after a reckless challenge by Moises Caicedo on Arsenal’s Mikel Merino.
That ‘no goals’ dilemma was put to bed early in the second half by an unlikely scorer.
A deep Chelsea free-kick was turned behind brilliantly by David Raya after Joao Pedro directed a header goalwards, only for the resulting corner to be nodded in by Trevoh Chalobah.
That lead didn’t last long as Arsenal equalised through Mikel Merino, who headed home to grant Bukayo Saka his first assist in a year after doing what Lamine Yamal couldn’t – getting the better of Marc Cucurella.
BEAUTY
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FEELING BLUE
Moises Caicedo sent off for horror tackle on Arsenal star Mikel Merino
Find out how SunSport Chelsea Reporter Lloyd Canfield rated the Blues below, and how Jack Rosser rated the Gunners here.
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 7
Sanchez has quietly been in excellent form for Chelsea in recent weeks, as the Blues racked up four clean sheets in their last five games in all competitions.
This, though, would be the Spaniard’s toughest test.
He stood firm for much of it, with an excellent reflex save to deny Gabriel Martinelli from giving Arsenal the lead just before the break, and another at the end to keep a point in tact for the home side.
MALO GUSTO – 6
A very calm and strong first half was slightly undone in the second 45 minutes, and the introduction of Myles Lewis-Skelly caused him some problems.
Gusto was doubled up on by Arsenal’s left-hand side, a move that was evident as Mikel Merino rose highest to head his side level.
Tactically, the French defender is one of the most important players in this Chelsea team.
And he was often in the right place at the right time to stop the Gunners’ forward forays.
TREVOH CHALOBAH – 7
Leapt like a salmon to flick home Chelsea’s opener and was strong defensively throughout.
Chalobah hasn’t had an easy campaign so far, but this evening felt like another landmark moment in the defender’s career, which is vastly underrated by many.
Some will criticise his move to double up on Saka for the Arsenal equaliser, which left Merino unmarked in the box, but he was largely very good.
WESLEY FOFANA – 6
Fofana was strong for much of the game, but was nowhere to be seen when Arsenal levelled, allowing Mikel Merino to ghost into the box and head home with relative ease.
The Frenchman was good in the air and often quick to close down the Gunners’ attacks, and remained very combative when the pressure was on late in the game.
MARC CUCURELLA – 6
Cucurella showed against Barcelona that he relishes a challenge against the best right-wingers in world football, and facing Bukayo Saka is one of the very finest.
The Blues’ pantomime villain was booked early on for a foul on Saka and walked the rest of the game on a tightrope.
He did well against Saka for large parts of the game, but couldn’t stop him from delivering the cross which led to Arsenal’s leveller.
REECE JAMES – 8
It was tough to decide where to even put Reece James in these ratings, because he was everywhere.
He made up a back three often when his side were in possession, but was in midfield without the ball, and then even popped up on the left wing at one point.
The Chelsea captain delivered two excellent balls in quick succession to see his side take a second-half lead, while remaining strong defensively and leading his team off the ball.
Chelsea’s best player on the night.
MOISES CAICEDO – 2
This match was billed as not only a battle between Chelsea and Arsenal, but one between Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice.
Ultimately, it was Caicedo who turned the tide, but not how he has so often for the Blues this season.
The midfielder was sent off in the first half for a hideous tackle on Mikel Merino, in what can only be described as his worst performance of the season, and he will now miss games against Leeds, Bournemouth, and Everton.
1-0 Declan Rice.
ESTEVAO – 4
Looked destined to open the scoring for Chelsea after 17 minutes when the ball ricocheted off Cristian Mosquera and sat up perfectly for the Brazilian to wallop home, only for the ball to be skied well over the bar.
Brazilian ‘Stevo’, though, didn’t let that deter him, and he looked like a winger full of confidence regardless – although his final ball today was often wasteful.
Unfortunately for him, he had no part to play in the second half, after being subbed for Alejandro Garnacho.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 3
The Argentine midfielder was very quiet.
He often steps up for Chelsea in these big games and is counted, but today looked like a translucent member of the Blues’ midfield.
Committed several fouls and did a lot of complaining, but that was about it.
PEDRO NETO – 6
Worked really hard defensively against the ever-progressing Jurrien Timber, which is likely why he was started on the left flank by Enzo Maresca.
Switched to the right in the second half with the introduction of Garnacho, and became more of a threat in terms of attacking.
Leapt well for a header, which became a rare half-chance for the Blues in the second half, but didn’t do much aside from that.
JOAO PEDRO – 6
Fluffed his final ball a few times in the first half, and was dominated physically by Mosquera and Hincapie in the Arsenal back line.
Pedro’s excellent header forced the corner that led to Chalobah’s opener out of David Raya.
SUBS:
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (ESTEVAO, HT) – 5
Was mostly quiet after being introduced at half-time, but battled well physically down the left.
Perhaps should’ve had a shot and let fly when given half a chance, but played it safe more often than not.
LIAM DELAP (JOAO PEDRO, 55) – 5
Got behind a rare chance and tested David Raya with 12 minutes to go, lashing a low shot at goal.
Chelsea didn’t do much going forward after his introduction, truth be told, but he can’t really be criticised for that as his side were down to ten men.
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