FREEZE A JOLLY GOOD FELLA ... Juan Mata is mobbed by Frank Lampard and Oscar after scoring an early opener for Chelsea
Published: 1 hr ago
JUAN MATA and Frank Lampard were the snowstoppers as Chelsea edged London rivals Arsenal in a Stamford Bridge blizzard.
The Spaniard fired the Blues ahead after just six minutes before Lamps doubled the hosts’ lead from the stop 10 minutes later.
Theo Walcott — fresh from signing his new contract — gave Arsene Wenger’s men hope of a comeback when he bagged in the 58th minute.
But there was snow way back for the visitors who slip 11 points behind Chelsea in their quest for a Champions League place.
MAT'LL DO ... Juan Mata beats Bacary Sagna and fires Chelsea ahead
Olivier Giroud should have put the Gunners ahead in the fifth minute after being released by Walcott but dragged his shot just wide.
And Arsene Wenger was left cursing his Frenchman — and the referee — as Rafa Benitez's side immediately went up the other end and scored.
Ramires caught Francis Coquelin in midfield but ref Martin Atkinson waved played on.
SPECIAL JUAN ... Oscar greets Juan Mata after the Spaniard's early opener
The visitors seemed to stop in their tracks and Cesar Azpilicueta lofted the ball over the top for Mata who expertly brought it down and fired past Wojciech Szczesny.
Things went from bad to worse for the Gunners when the Ramires played for a foul from Szczesny and went tumbling in the box.
Atkinson pointed to the spot and Lampard made no mistake for his 195th goal for the club.
SNOW PROBLEM ... Frank Lampard makes no mistake from the spot
Chelsea continued to dominate with Ramires firing one over Szczesny’s bar.
But Arsenal came out strongly after the break and Per Mertesacker fired a left-footed strike at Petr Cech.
Giroud was on the end of another bad miss when he mistimed his jump and tamely nodded wide.
FRANKS A LOT ... Lampard salutes to the crowd after Chelsea's second
Thankfully Walcott was in the mood and after Santi Cazorla played him through, he sprinted past Branislav Ivanovic to slot past Cech.
The England forward had another effort which he skewed wide and at the other end and the recalled Fernando Torres — sporting a severe new haircut — was sent clear but his touch let him down.
WALC ON ... Theo Walcott collects the ball after scoring for Arsenal
Demba Ba came on for the Spaniard with 10 minutes to go and he had the chance to settle it but saw his shot blocked by Thomas Vermaelen.
Then Gary Cahill produced a superb injury-time clearance to deny Walcott the chance of a last-ditch leveller and give Blues boss Rafa Benitez some home comfort at long last.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4754216/Chelsea-2-1-Arsenal-Match-report-pictures-and-video-highlights.html#ixzz2IXGAqYrM
