Arsenal snatched victory after defensive errors and a red card, leaving Chelsea to rue missed chances in a crucial game for their Champions League hopes
For the final Premier League game of match day 28, Chelsea made the trip across the capital to face league leaders Arsenal in a huge game for the team's top five chances.
Ahead of the task at hand, Liam Rosenior opted for the following starting XI; Sanchez; James, Sarr, Chalobah, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez; Neto, Pedro.
Ten minutes in, Chelsea had the first big chance of the game. A free-kick from the left hand side took a deflection and fell to Mamadou Sarr in a presentable position, but he could not sort his body out and could only bundle the ball wide on his full Premier League debut.
After 21 minutes, Arsenal took the lead from a set piece. Gabriel headed the ball across the box, finding William Saliba whose header went in off of Sarr and into the back of the net.
With a few minutes of the first half remaining, the hosts had a good opportunity to break at pace, but Moises Caicedo made a superb interception. At times, it felt like he was on his own in the midfield out there.
Then, on the stroke of half time, Chelsea equalised. An inswinging corner from Reece James was flicked on by Arsenal's Piero Hincapie into his own goal, and the game was all square again.
Seven minutes into the second half, Joao Pedro had a decent opportunity from a corner, but could only head the ball at Arsenal keeper David Raya. Another very good delivery from James.
Just a few minutes later, the Chelsea skipper put another superb ball into the box, this time from open play - Pedro flicked the ball towards the far post, but it was just too fast for Cole Palmer to be able to slide the ball home.
Midway through the second half, Arsenal restored their lead, when Jurrien Timber headed home a Declan Rice corner. Things went from bad to worse two minutes later, when Pedro Neto picked up a second yellow for a dangerous foul on Gabriel Martinelli. So stupid. Game done.
In stoppage time, an inswinging cross from Alejandro Garnacho was met by Pedro, whose flicked effort was superbly saved by Raya. A couple of minutes later, Liam Delap had the ball in the back of the net, but Pedro was offside.
That would be that. A 2-1 defeat. Chelsea huffed and puffed, but it was always a near impossible task with ten men. Such a shame, because the team generally played pretty well. A few minutes of madness in the second half cost Rosenior's side a chance at getting something from the game. At least a point, but possibly all three.
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