Half-time: Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal

Eden Hazard’s penalty put Chelsea ahead after a cagey first half bristling with animosity and ill-feeling between the two sides and managers.

Hazard won the penalty after a superb jinking run that saw him fouled by Laurent Koscielny, who was lucky not to be sent off.

Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho exchanged angry words after a late challenge by Gary Cahill on Alexis Sanchez near the touchline, with Wenger moving out of technical area and pushing the Portuguese.

On the pitch there was little in the way of goalmouth action to a game delayed by 15 minutes because of an “incident” – believed to be a flare being let off near the away section of the ground.

Arsenal, mindful of the 6-0 humiliation they suffered at Stamford Bridge last season, were cautious and defended deep.

Their brightest moment saw Sanchez race through and smash into Thibaut Courtois, who took a blow to the head and soon had to be replaced by Petr Cech.

Chelsea had the better of possession and looked lively on the break, particularly through Eden Hazard.

But they also struggled to create chances in a game that already seems certain to be remembered for Wenger shoving Mourinho.

The Blues could extend their lead over Arsenal to nine points with a victory and – depending on Southampton’s result against Tottenham – could be five points clear at the top of the table.

Andre Schurrle and Oscar both started for Chelsea meaning Willian was on the bench, while Arsenal were without the injured Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois (Cech 24); Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
Subs not used: Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Willian, Salah, Remy.

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