Arsenal scored from two corners to beat 10-man Chelsea at Emirates Stadium and regain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Manchester City’s victory at Leeds on Saturday reduced the Gunners’ lead to two points, applying more pressure.
However, Arsenal scored the game from a corner in the 21st minute following a cagey start with few opportunities.
Gabriel Magalhaes, a center defender, headed a corner from Bukayo Saka back across the goal to William Saliba, his defensive partner. Saliba’s header hit Mamadou Sarr on the arm before it went into the goal.
After falling behind and posing a danger with their own set pieces, Chelsea overcame the deficit and scored from a corner just before halftime when Piero Hincapié turned Reece James’ throw into his own net.
Before Jurrien Timber headed in Declan Rice’s corner, Chelsea got off to a better start in the second half than their hosts, generating a tense atmosphere inside the stadium.
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Three vital points in the title battle were earned by Timber’s goal, Arsenal’s 16th from a corner this season.
Gabriel Martinelli was summoned up from the substitutes’ bench by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, and Pedro Neto stopped the winger as he attempted to launch a counterattack.
With 20 minutes remaining, the Chelsea forward—who was already on a yellow card—went red.
When he bundled the ball in late in the game, Liam Delap felt he had given the away team a point, but Joao Pedro was clearly offside throughout the build-up, and the goal was disallowed.
The victory puts Arsenal on 64 points, five clear of Manchester City, having played a game more than their rivals.
