Half-time: Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0

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Juan Mata’s emphatic finish and Frank Lampard’s penalty put Chelsea in command in the London derby.

Mata, who scored their winner at Arsenal earlier in the season, put them ahead after only six minutes in the snow at Stamford Bridge.

Believing Francis Coquelin had been fouled by Ramires in midfield, the Gunners switched off and Cesar Azpilicueta lifted the ball towards Mata, who controlled it beautifully before holding off Bacary Sagna and firing home.

The opener came shortly after Olivier Giroud had missed a great chance for Arsenal, dragging a shot wide after being set up by Theo Walcott.

Once in front, Chelsea – with Fernando Torres preferred to Demba Ba up front – took control and doubled their lead after Ramires was brought down by keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who escaped with a yellow card.

Lampard tucked away the resulting spot-kick – his 195th goal for the Blues.

Ramires might have made it three but blazed over after going past Kieran Gibbs.

Torres also shot wastefully over in the final minute of the half.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Oscar, Hazard, Mata; Torres.
Subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Marin, Terry, Ba, Bertrand, Ake.

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