Antonio Conte’s Chelsea may have just won the most important game in their journey to the Premier League title as they managed to put in an emphatic performance over their local rivals Arsenal, to open up a 12 point gap over the Gunners in the points table. Eden Hazard scored the goal of the weekend to double the leads for the Blues after wing-back Marcos Alonso managed to put the hosts in the lead early in the game. Cesc Fabregas sealed the game with a third with just over 5 minutes to go and though Olivier Giroud popped up with a late goal, it was all too late for the Emirates outfit. This performance surely takes Chelsea closer to the title and here are the player ratings for the Blues:
Thibaut Courtois (7):
Though denied a clean-sheet by Giroud at the end, Courtois, put in a heroic performance, making a couple of marvelous saves to see his side to a victory.
Cesar Azpilicueta (7):
Kept the Arsenal attackers on his flank at bay as he never gave them a chance to take the attack to the opposition on a comfortable night.
David Luiz (7):
Though not as sizzling as at Anfield, Luiz, did what he had to do to give Chelsea all three points from this game.
Gary Cahill (7):
Was solid to take care of the likes of Ozil and Walcott as he bossed his side of the defense in a comfortable victory for Chelsea.
Victor Moses (6):
Not his usual self in attack but played a supporting role to Pedro and also kept the Arsenal attack at bay for most of the game.
N Golo Kante (8):
Gave the Gunners no chance in the midfield as he constantly chased them down and won the ball back for his side to frustrate the visitors.
Nemanja Matic (7):
Applied the press when needed and sat back when asked for as he put in a commanding performance to keep Arsenal away from danger in the midfield.
Marcos Alonso (7):
Opened the scoring with a determined header and was also all over the Arsenal players on the wing on a productive night for the Italian.
Pedro (7):
Stuck to his task well on the night and also produced the cross for the first goal to help Chelsea to a victory over their rivals.
Diego Costa (7):
It was his effort in the first half that led to Pedro’s goal and was also a thorn in the ass for Arsenal all night in a successful game for the Blues.
Eden Hazard (9):
The man of the match on the night for Chelsea, Hazard gave the Gunners a nightmare on the night as he constantly tormented them on the wing and made a mockery, helping himself to a goal that will embarrass the Arsenal defense.
SUBS:
Cesc Fabregas (7):
Came into the game with less than 10 minutes to play and made an instant impact, fining the back of the net, within two minutes of his substation.
Willian (6):
Replaced Pedro late in the game and kept the pressure on Arsenal with his direct running right until the final whistle.
Kurt Zouma (5):
A substitution made to run the clock down and to see off the game.