Chelsea started well, with purpose and intent, and Cole Palmer showed off his fitness by testing David Raya from long range and drawing a save inside of the first few minutes.
Chelsea kept that impetus going and created multiple opportunities to take the lead, including a couple lovely crosses from Pedro Neto that, in order, Noni Madueke and then Malo Gusto failed to cash in at the far post. Madueke headed wide of target while Gusto headed over from just a few yards out.
Arsenal were happy to sit back out of possession, but they got a bit of foothold as the half wore on … though their threat was largely on set pieces. Indeed, they did almost take the lead through a quickly taken free kick, but thankfully Kai Havertz, now fully in his villain era, was just offside and the goal was chalked off by VAR.
The second half continued in similar fashion and Wesley Fofana was the next player to miss a great chance, poking the ball on the stretch but over the bar from a Madueke cross.
Chelsea’s impetus started to wane around the hour-mark and unlike in the first half, this time we were not saved by the offside flag, as an unmarked Gabriel Martinelli at the far post, beat Robert Sánchez from a very tight angle.
Thankfully, the visitors’ lead did not last very long, as less than ten minutes later, Neto decided to take matters into his own hands and pick out the bottom corner from a fair distance.
The game was there for the taking in the final 20 minutes.
But we didn’t take it.
Carefree.
- One change from last weekend, with Cucurella in for James and both full backs on their dominant sides (Gusto roaming forward in possession)
- First Premier League goal at Chelsea for Neto
- Kai Havertz now in his villain era
- Chelsea move up to third, but only on goal difference
- Next up: international break
- KTBFFH
PLAYER RATINGS:
Senegal
