Blues closer to title after draw at Arsenal
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea secured a point at the Emirates Stadium to move another step towards being confirmed as champions.
The result restored their 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League and meant Blues boss Jose Mourinho remains unbeaten against Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger in 13 encounters.
Mourinho’s side almost took the lead and might have been awarded a penalty during a lively first half.
Just after the quarter-hour mark, former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas, jeered by many of the home fans on his return to north London, lifted the ball forward and after Laurent Koscielny failed to clear, Oscar nipped in and lobbed David Ospina.
Keeper Ospina clattered into Oscar, leaving him in a heap on the floor, and Gunners defender Hector Bellerin headed off the line to deny the Brazilian what would have been his first goal since January.
Chelsea had two other shouts for a penalty waved away by referee Michael Oliver.
Oscar went down early on after after contact with Bellerin and on 22 minutes Fabregas was booked for diving following a challenge from Santi Cazorla.
And at the other end, Gary Cahill was given the benefit of the doubt after blocking Cazorla’s shot with a raised arm.
With Diego Costa and Loic Remy still not fit, Chelsea started without a recognised striker.
Oscar was deployed in a central attacking role, supported by Eden Hazard, Ramires and Willian, before being replaced by Didier Drogba at the interval.
The second half was much less eventful.
Drogba, who had scored 15 goals in 15 matches against Arsenal, had a shot comfortably saved by Ospina before Per Mertesacker and Cazorla missed decent chances for the hosts, both firing wide.
Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas (Zouma 90), Ramires, Oscar (Drogba 45), Willian (Cuadrado 90), Hazard.
Subs not used: Cech, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek.
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