Chelsea 1 Arsenal 2

Last updated : 24 February 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Marcel DesaillyMarcel DesaillyArsenal won the battle of the Bridge and thus consolidated their title credentials, reducing Chelsea's challenge for top honours to nothing more than an outside chance.

And to add insult to injury they ended the game with ten men with Eidur Gudjohnsen sent off for two bookable offences.

Goals from Patrick Vieira and Edu means Chelsea are nine points adrift of their north London rivals in third place, with the Gunners seven points ahead of Manchester United.

But the game could not have got off to a better start for Chelsea.

After just 28 seconds Geremi disposed Patrick Vieira in midfield, ran towards the left, from where he crossed the ball with his left foot.

The ball fell invitingly to striker Gudjohnsen who slotted home from the far post position with a low right-footer which went through Jens Lehmann's legs.

But Arsenal are not top of the Premiership for nothing and kept their nerve and started to play themselves back into the game.

Four minutes into the game and Arsenal's central defender Sol Campbell produced a powerful, low, left-footer from just outside the penalty area. The ball went through an open Chelsea defence, but Neil Sullivan well down, low to his left to smother the ball.

On 11 minutes, Dennis Berkamp's long crossfield ball fell to Thierry Henry, who volleyed just wide of Sullivan's left post.

Arsenal had taken control of possession and the match at this point and on 14 minutes they equalised.

Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele lost the ball in the centre of the pitch to Vieira. The Frenchman played a neat one-two with Berkamp. Vieira edged into Chelsea area unmarked and slotted home a sweet left-footer past Sullivan.

Two minutes later Chelsea forced a good attack with Geremi's cross to Adrian Mutu, who headed goalwards but Gael Clichy headed clear for a corner.

On 20 minutes, Edu's long-range shot is deflected by Frank Lampard. From the resultant corner, Sullivan makes a howler of a miss and the ball hits the hapless Gudjohnsen and Edu reacted quickest and his left-footer arrowed into goal to give Arsenal a precious lead.

Chelsea reacted well and on 34 minutes, Geremi, again wide on left, was fed the ball by Makelele, but Lehmann punched the ball away for a corner. Then John Terry 's shot was on target, but cleared and the follow up by Makelele was high and wide.

Three minutes before half-time, Gudjohnsen was booked for diving in the box. It would prove later to be a fatal decision for the Icelander.

Seconds before the break Gilberto Silva blocked Wayne Bridge's shot inside the penalty area.

Two minutes into the second half and a brilliant crossfield ball by Lampard open's Arsenal defence and ball fell to Mutu inside the box. He checked back inside but slipped leaving Campbell to clear.

Perhaps in frustration, Mutu was booked on 50 minutes for a foul on Robert Pires.

On 53 minutes, Geremi's brilliant free-kick, arched beyond Arsenal's defence, but no Chelsea player to take advantage and ball sailed past Lehmann's left post.

Just before the hour Lauren was booked for stopping a free-kick but a minute later Gudjohnsen was yellow carded for a foul on Clichy and sent off as a result.

That prompted Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri to substitute the lacklustre Scott Parker for Jesper Gronkjaer on 63 minutes.

But it was Arsenal who dominated, keeping possession for long periods and pulling Chelsea all over the field.

Chelsea's frustration was evident when John Terry clattered Vieira and was booked on 66 minutes.

Ranieri's last throw of the dice was to bring on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for Mutu and Joe Cole for Geremi on 72 minutes.

Arsenal's best effort in the second half, on 74 minutes saw Pires' throughball find Gilberto, but Sullivan did well to smother it.

Seventy six minutes in and Gronkjaer, wide on left, saw his cross cleared by Campbell for a corner.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger substituted Bergkamp on 78 minutes bringing on midfielder Freddie Ljungberg.

Chelsea's booking count increased on 79 minutes when Lampard fouled Edu. From the resultant free-kick Henry was free in the box, but Sullivan parried his shot.

Henry crashed into Wayne Bridge and was booked on 90 minutes, but Arsenal showed great professionalism and saw out the game to put themselves one step closer to the title.

Vieira said afterwards: "We believe in ourselves and deserved to win this game. It is not easy to get three points here.

"I did not start well, but we kept our discipline on the pitch and with our self-belief really high, we defended well in the second half and came out winners.

"In the end it became a perfect game for us.

"We are in a comfortable position just now. Last season, we were over confident, we won't be making that same mistake again and will battle until the end of the season." Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger added of the vital nature of the win: "It was very important game," said the Frenchman.

"We found strength to come back from behind and were very focussed. It was our team strength that saw us through as Chelsea put tremendous pressure on us.

"This win will influence the championship, for sure. Chelsea are not out of the title race as three points can be lost very easily.

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has however conceded that his side's title challenge for this season is over "We are out of the title race," he declared.

"The problem is that we did not score from all our chances," he added.

"But I feel good, you may not believe me but I do. The game was very close.

"We wanted to win and I'm proud of my players, but when we make mistakes against a side like Arsenal, we are punished.

"I don't need anymore money, but the time to build my team.

"Arsenal are in the driving seat but we will fight. The Champions League is now a target, but it's like bingo.

"I will continue to try to win the Premiership and keep on the heels of Arsenal and Manchester United." Man of the Match: Patrick Vieira - Despite a shaky start, he, along with Dennis Bergkamp dragged Arsenal back into the game and ultimately to a crucial victory.