Chelsea 3 Arsenal 1
Alonso 11 Hazard 53 Fabregas 85 Giroud 90
After Eden Hazard’s wonder-goal, little Antonio Conte races down the touchline and throws himself into the crowd to hug supporters.
He also hugs a steward, then a second steward.
I’ve never seen a manager celebrate quite like that during a game.
Family is what it’s all about in Italy and a football club is a big family.He’s excitable and cares about fans as well as players.
Chelsea have a 9-point lead over second-placed Spurs.
Arsenal are now 4th and 12 points behind Chelsea.
Diego Costa had an off-day but won two headers.
The first came back off the bar for wingback Alonso to head in for 1-0.
The second header, won in centrefield, was picked up by Eden Hazard and the Belgian then spurted off on a dribble that bamboozled Koscielny, made Coquelin fall over, and Hazard waltzed beyond Koscielny again, this time in the box and slotted sweetly for 2-0
When Peter Cech miskicked the ball to Fabregas, Cesc just lobbed him for 3-0.
I’d said last week that Arsenal would get battered at the Bridge.
On Saturday morning the first thing I did, after writing this blog, was to bet on Chelsea/Chelsea.
Because I knew it would be men and boys.
Then I backed Diego Costa to score at any time.
Then I backed Chelsea to win.
And then, 90 seconds before the 12.30 kick-off, I made a bigger bet on Chelsea to win.
So I won three out of four.
Costa had an off-day, as I said.
He’s been told he can leave at the end of the season.
Alvaro Morata will replace him.