Gunners Too Strong For Blues  (Sky Sports)

Chelsea 1 Arsenal 2

Report by Patrick Goss

It took just 27 seconds for Chelsea to take the lead against Arsenal, but for the second time in a week The Gunners had the quality to come from behind and claim victory.

A good day for Arsenal saw them come from behind to lead after 20 minutes and their opposition reduced to ten men late on when Eidur Gudjohnsen was dismissed for his second booking.

An uncharacteristic error by Patrick Vieira handed Chelsea the perfect start to the match, with Geremi handed the opportunity to cross, Adrian Mutu flick on and Eidur Gudjohnsen slot home with consummate ease.

Thierry Henry had already volleyed narrowly wide when Arsenal captain responded in the way that has made him a legend amongst the Arsenal fans, and it was he who levelled, benefiting from a simply sublime Dennis Bergkamp pass to canter through and finish first time.

Inside 20 minutes Chelsea were left wondering when their Arsenal jinx this season would end, when Edu put the visitors ahead.

The midfielder banged home into an empty net after Blues keeper Neil Sullivan unwisely opted to come for a corner and failed to connect with the ball.

John Terry had a wonderful chance to level when he beat the offside trap after a half-cleared set-piece, but tamely side-footed his shot to Jens Lehmann, and in the second half Eidur Gudjohnsen collapsed theatrically in the penalty area and was booked for diving - something that ultimately came back to haunt him.

William Gallas then opted to go with his feet rather than his head when a cross evaded the Arsenal defence, but failed to make sufficient contact, and as the tackled began to fly Gudjohnsen was given his marching orders for an innocuous looking clash with Gael Clichy.

Chelsea threw everything forward - but Arsenal, as Sir Alex Ferguson suggested, are not likely to make the mistakes this season that they did last year and defended stoutly - even afforded the luxury of missing a glorious chance through Gilberto, who shot straight at Sullivan when put through by Henry.

As Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw against struggling Leeds, Arsenal are now a huge seven points clear at the head of the league.

Things are looking good for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, and after emerging on top from their Chelsea mini-series, the Premiership challenge is stronger than ever.

Teams

Chelsea  Sullivan, Bridge, Gallas, Melchiot, Terry, Geremi (Cole 73), Lampard, Makelele, Parker (Gronkjaer 62), Gudjohnsen, Mutu (Hasselbaink 73)
Subs Not Used  Ambrosio, Desailly
Booked  Gudjohnse, Mutu, Terry, Lampard
Sent Off  Gudjohnsen
Goals  Gudjohnsen 1

Arsenal  Lehmann, Campbell, Clichy, Edu, Lauren, Pires, Silva, Toure, Vieira, Bergkamp (Ljungberg 78), Henry
Subs Not Used  Stack, Cygan, Kanu, Reyes
Booked  Stefanovic
Goals  Vieira 15, Edu 21
Booked  Lauren, Henry

Attendance  41,847

Referee  M. Riley