Superb Mata gives Chelsea derby victory

Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea

Juan Mata was at his inspirational best as the Premier League leaders secured a thrilling victory over previously unbeaten Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

A clever hooked finish from Fernando Torres from Mata’s fine free-kick looked like giving the Blues a half-time lead.

But the Gunners drew level three minutes before the break through Gervinho’s classy turn and finish.

However, another delicious Mata set-piece delivery secured the points in a pulsating second half.

Petr Cech was forced into two world-class saves but Chelsea were able to hang on to a win that ends a run of eight London derbies without a victory and will do wonders for their confidence.

The result, which moves the Blues seven points clear of the Gunners after just six games, also sends a strong message to those who questioned their ability to beat the top teams without Didier Drogba.

Chelsea had an encouraging start, dominating the early possession and threatening through a tame David Luiz free-kick and a decent Torres run and cross.

Arsenal responded with a Santi Cazorla shot that flew well over the bar and also had a couple of ambitious penalty claims turned down.

But the visitors, playing with all three of their creative trio of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Mata, were on top and went ahead through Torres’ fifth goal of the season.

The Spaniard ignored the close attentions of Laurent Koscielny, kept his focus on the ball from a teasing Mata free-kick and managed to cleverly steer a first-time right-foot volley in at the near post.

Moments later he should have made it 2-0 after robbing Koscielny and bearing down on goal, but he delayed his finish and the big centre-back was able to get back and put Torres off.

The visitors continued to have the upper hand but failed to make the most of their dominance against an Arsenal side who seemed to struggled to cope with an injury to Abou Diaby.

But Gervinho’s quality finish from an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross drew the hosts level.

And although Torres went close before the interval, it was Arsenal who looked the more likely to go ahead as they began to grow in confidence and show glimpses of their fluent best.

However, the outstanding Mata once again proved the decisive factor for Chelsea, with another superb free-kick that Koscielny could only help into the back of the net eight minutes after the restart.

Chelsea were able to sit back and, as Arsenal committed men forward, had numerous chances to extend their lead on the break.

Too often they picked the wrong option and had to be grateful to goalkeeper Cech, who made two wonderful saves to keep the Blues ahead.

His first was a brilliant fingertip stop to keep out Lucas Podolski’s header and then he made an equally magnificent intervention from an Olivier Giroud strike that took a huge deflection off Luiz.

Giroud also missed a glorious injury-time chance when through on goal.

Chelsea (4-3-2-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cole, Luiz (Cahill, 81), Terry; Ramires, Mikel, Hazard; Mata (Bertrand, 85), Oscar (Moses, 73); Torres.

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