Chelsea Defeat Arsenal to Maintain Lead

Chelsea tightened their grip on the Premier League title race and delivered a blow to Arsenal's aspirations with a convincing victory at Stamford Bridge.

Manager Arsene Wenger, watching from the stands as he served the third of a four-match touchline ban, was hoping Arsenal could respond to Tuesday's shock home defeat by Watford - but Chelsea exerted their authority to leave the Gunners 12 points behind the leaders.

Marcos Alonso gave Chelsea the lead after 13 minutes, heading home after Diego Costa's header came back off the bar. Arsenal were unhappy with Alonso's challenge on Hector Bellerin that saw the defender take a heavy blow to the head which forced his substitution, but referee Martin Atkinson saw nothing wrong.

Eden Hazard made the decisive contribution with a magnificent solo goal eight minutes after half-time, leaving a trail of Arsenal players in his wake in a run from the halfway line before beating Petr Cech.

The goalkeeper's poor clearance gifted substitute Cesc Fabregas Chelsea's third, five minutes from time, and Olivier Giroud's late goal barely counted as consolation for Arsenal. The visitors had chances but saw Thibaut Courtois save well from Gabriel, Mesut Ozil and Danny Welbeck.

Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League was 12 points at the conclusion of this victory - although Tottenham moved back to within nine points with a win against Middlesbrough - and to underscore the scale of their improvement, it is worth going back to the first meeting between these clubs at Arsenal in September.

Their 3-0 loss to the Gunners left Chelsea in eighth place and eight points behind then-leaders Manchester City after six games. This proved to be a watershed moment for the Blues and manager Antonio Conte.

In the intervening 18 games after Conte switched to his preferred three-man central defensive system, they have won 16 league games, lost at Spurs and drawn at Liverpool. It has been a powerhouse run that has effectively brought a 20-point swing in the title race.

Chelsea once more looked the model of efficiency, although they conceded more chances than Conte would have liked, with N'Golo Kante a tireless midfield influence.

The Italian wanted to make amends for that heavy loss at Emirates Stadium and he had the players and system to do it in style.

And when they have individuals who can produce game-defining moments like Hazard, it is almost impossible to see any way they will leave the door far enough ajar for any of their pursuers to squeeze through.

Conte's celebration after Hazard's goal showed how much the win meant to him.

Arsenal's loss here at Stamford Bridge caps a dreadful week for the Gunners and manager Wenger - watching from the stands as their title hopes were surely snuffed out for another year.

First they were knocked off course by that defeat by Watford and here they were beaten by a Chelsea side that looked like everything Arsenal did not. Strong, streetwise, ruthless and confident.

Wenger's side were limp in the opening phases, not even getting a touch in the Chelsea penalty area for 35 minutes and when chances did come along they were squandered.

Wenger can make all the usual positive noises but this was, ultimately, an emphatic beating and barring a dramatic and unforeseen turn of events, the wait for their first title since the year of "The Invincibles" in 2003-04 will go on.

A single banner saying "Enough Is Enough. Time To Go" was held aloft in the Arsenal end - but it was almost a token gesture of defiance, rather like Giroud's late goal.

This Chelsea side mixes silk and steel - and does it in the shape of N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard.

Kante has been a key contributor this season and was again here. He breaks up opposition attacks and starts Chelsea's own. He makes it his business to make life impossible for opponents.

Hazard sprinkles the stardust on Chelsea, as he proved with that slalom, weaving run for the crucial second goal that effectively decided the contest.

Chelsea look a team for all season. And look like Premier League champions in waiting.

Chelsea Legend, Frank Lampard Ends Playing Career

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard has retired, bringing to an end a 21-year professional career.

The 38-year-old, who spent last year with New York City in Major League Soccer in the US, announced his decision on social media on Thursday.

Lampard made 649 appearances for Chelsea and won 106 England caps.

"Whilst I have received a number of exciting offers to continue playing, at 38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life," said Lampard.

"I'm grateful to the Football Association for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision opens."

He won 11 major trophies, including three Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2012. Lampard also won four FA Cups, two League Cups and the Europa League.

Lampard's records

• Only Ryan Giggs (632) and Gareth Barry (615) have made more Premier League appearances than Lampard (609).
• His total of 177 goals is the Premier League's fourth highest behind Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole.
• He has scored more goals from outside the box than any other Premier League player (41).
• Lampard scored against a record 39 different teams in the Premier League.
• No England player has scored as many penalties as Lampard (nine), excluding shootouts.

Analysis - legendary, respected, admired

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty

Frank Lampard's legendary status and standing as one of the greatest players of the modern era is cemented by statistics.

When he left Chelsea in the summer of 2014, he was the club's record goalscorer with 211 goals from 649 appearances - a truly remarkable return for a consummate professional plying his trade in midfield.

Lampard was central to the most successful spell in Chelsea's history as he and they completed a clean sweep of trophies at home and abroad, a haul that reflected his stellar contribution.

He was the model of consistency, respected and admired by team-mates and opponents alike.

Like his great contemporary Steven Gerrard he struggled to transfer club successes to his England career, but he was still a fine performer on the international stage.

Lampard's next step looks certain to be into coaching - and with the knowledge gained over a lifetime from his father Frank Sr as well as working with managers such as Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Guus Hiddink, few would bet against him adding to his successes in this phase of his career.

Warm Wishes Lampard

Lampards Instagram Comments

Chelsea Draw At Anfield to Extend Premier League Lead

Chelsea strengthened their grip on the Premier League title with a 1-1 draw at Liverpool although Diego Costa missed a late penalty.

On a night where Arsenal and Tottenham dropped points, Chelsea, who remain nine points clear, took a first-half lead courtesy of a wonderfully executed 30-yard free-kick from David Luiz that caught Simon Mignolet unawares.

Georginio Wijnaldum headed an equaliser for Jurgen Klopp's team but they had to be thankful to Mignolet with 15 minutes remaining as he saved Costa's spot-kick after the Chelsea striker had been fouled by Joel Matip.

The result snapped a run of three straight defeats for Liverpool but they still remain winless in the Premier League in 2017.

Chelsea take on third-place Arsenal on Saturday.

Chelsea looked a threat when Eden Hazard and Costa got the ball in Liverpool's final third, and it was the former being tripped by Adam Lallana in the 24th minute, which paved the way for Luiz to open the scoring.

Willian lined the set-piece up but Luiz took the initiative while Mignolet was still getting himself set and fired an arrow-like effort into the net via the post. Liverpool complained to referee Mark Clattenburg but he had clearly whistled four seconds before Luiz struck the ball. It was the Brazilian's first goal since returning from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Moments later, a free-kick from a similar position by Willian had to be palmed away by Mignolet as the ball skidded off the sodden Anfield turf.

Liverpool managed to open up Chelsea for the first time after 49 minutes but Roberto Fimino miscued an effort from 12 yards into the stands when well found by Nathaniel Clyne.

But the Anfield faithful were celebrating an equaliser eight minutes later. Jordan Henderson chipped a magnificent ball to the back post, where James Milner was waiting. The full-back kept his cool and headed back across goal and Wijnaldum climbed highest to bundle head home.

The equaliser changed the atmosphere inside the stadium but Chelsea rode the storm and hit Liverpool on the break with 15 minutes left.

Cotsa, who had run Matip ragged all night, turned the defender inside the area and after a collision of knees, the Blues top scorer hit the deck. Clattenburg pointed straight to the spot.

Chelsea Ease Past Brentford In Cup Tie

Chelsea breezed past Brentford 4-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon to seal their place in the FA Cup fifth round.

The Blues led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Willian - his seventh direct free kick for the club since the start of the 2015-16 season - and Pedro.

And the home side ensured their name would be in the hat for Monday's draw by scoring two more goals after the interval through substitute Branislav Ivanovic and a Michy Batshuayi penalty.

Back-up goalkeeper Asmir Begovic began in goal for Chelsea, despite being linked with a move to Bournemouth in recent days, while captain John Terry and the returning Kurt Zouma were both handed starts.

Blues boss Antonio Conte also opted to give the likes of Nathan Ake, Batshuayi and Cesc Fabregas run-outs against their west London neighbours.

Brentford, meanwhile, made one change from their 2-1 loss at Wigan Athletic in the Championship last weekend, with Yoann Barbet coming in for Tom Field, but striker Scott Hogan was once again left on the bench amid speculation linking him with a January move to West Ham.

However, if the visitors were hoping the Premier League leaders may have one eye on their important game at Liverpool on Tuesday night, then they were much mistaken as the Blues tore into them from the off.

It took the home side just 14 minutes to open the scoring and what a strike it was too as Brazil international Willian curled in a delicious free kick from the right-hand edge of the area, leaving Daniel Bentley clutching at thin air in the Bees goal.

Just seven minutes later and Chelsea had doubled their lead after a lightning-quick counter attack involving Willian and Batshuayi, who then picked out Pedro's run in the box, with the forward making no mistake with a low finish through the legs of Bentley.

That strike was the in-form Spain international's eighth in all competitions so far this campaign, meaning the 29-year-old has now equalled his goals tally from the whole of last season.

Chelsea would have been completely out of sight by half-time but for an inspired display between the posts by the increasingly busy Bentley, who denied Batshuayi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek - twice - and Fabregas with smart stops.

But if Chelsea thought it was already game over, they were given a wake-up call at the start of the second period as the Bees went on the attack in search of a goal to get them back in the tie, with Begovic thwarting both Lasse Vibe and Nico Yennaris.

That resistance, though, was soon ended as the Blues moved up a gear again, with Loftus-Cheek hitting the bar, before Ivanovic - who has also been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge before Tuesday's transfer deadline - ended the match as a contest by scoring with virtually his first touch after coming off the bench.

Again the outstanding Pedro was involved, with the forward going on a mazy dribble, before releasing the overlapping Ivanovic, and the right back made no mistake by drilling the ball past Bentley.

Diego Costa Returns to Inspire Chelsea to Victory Over Hull City

Diego Costa scored on his return to the Chelsea team as they beat Hull City to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Spain striker missed last weekend's 3-0 win over champions Leicester, citing a back injury after a disagreement with a fitness coach, amid reports of Chinese Super League interest.

But the Blues' top scorer - cheered throughout the game by home fans - returned against struggling Hull and had an early impact, sending an effort from 20 yards fizzing just wide after only 10 seconds.

He got the opening goal when he converted Victor Moses' low cross from eight yards out in the seventh minute of first-half injury time.

The long stoppage was a result of an injury to Hull midfielder Ryan Mason, who went to hospital after being carried off on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask following a clash of heads with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill. 

The Tigers played well but lacked cutting edge without the injured Robert Snodgrass and Cahill sealed the win when he headed home Cesc Fabregas' free-kick.

Last weekend, Chelsea's position at the top of the Premier League was looking far from secure. The Blues were five points clear after their long winning run was ended by Tottenham and Costa's future at the club seemed in severe doubt.

Fast forward eight days and the Blues - with Costa back in the first team - are now eight points above second-placed Arsenal, the only other team in the top six to win this weekend.

Antonio Conte's side were far from spectacular against the Tigers. In fact, Costa - with six shots - was the only Chelsea player to have more than one effort.

But a 15th win in their past 16 league games - and a 13th Premier League clean sheet of the season - takes them one game closer to a sixth English top-flight title.

The omens look good for Chelsea. No team have ever failed to win the Premier League title after picking up 55 points or more in their opening 22 games.

Hull City have shown signs of improvement after sacking manager Mike Phelan and replacing him with Marco Silva. After beating Bournemouth in his opening Premier League game, they gave Chelsea a real match for large periods.

Whether they stay up - they are two points adrift of safety - might rely on Silva's transfer actions in the next nine days.

They left out West Ham target Robert Snodgrass, who has scored or assisted 50% of their league goals this season - and Silva said just before the game it was "impossible for him to stay".

Despite a good performance, they lacked incision without the Scotland international. A majority of their nine shots came from distance, with centre-back Harry Maguire having four efforts.

At 1-0, they could have had a penalty when Marcos Alonso kicked the back of Abel Hernandez's foot, but nothing was awarded.

Three of Silva's signings, Omar Elabdellaoui, Evandro and Oumar Niasse, played but the Portuguese wants more new faces - and he needs them after selling midfielder Jake Livermore to West Brom for £10m and the loss of Mason to injury.

However, whether anyone can make up for the apparently imminent loss of Snodgrass - their only player to score more than three Premier League goals this season - remains to be seen.

Leicester City Vs Chelsea Line ups

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte made a single change to the lineup that lost to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart lane last week to face Leicester City at King Power Stadium, with Diego Costa dropped. 
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The line up have Thiabut Courtois in Goal, David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill in defence with Victor Moses, Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas Marcos Alonso in midfield and William, Pedro and Eden Hazard in attack.

Antonio Conte's Chelsea side, lost their Premier League record of fourteen (13) straight wins in a single season, last week and he is determined to see his side return to win this fixture. Conte is maintaining his 3 5 3 formation for this game.

Moreover, Leicester City head coach Claudio Ranieri has thrown his new signing Ndidi Anyanwu into this fixture, as he named a strong starting XI with one change from the strating XI that won Everton at mid week.

Ahmed Musa starts this game with Kasper Schimeichel in goal, Danny Simpson, Wes Morgan, Robert Huth and Ben Chilwel in defence. In midfield, Marc Albrighton, Nampalys Mendy, Onyinye Ndidi, Danny Drinkwater and Ahmed Musa with Jamie Vardy as the lone striker.
Claudio Renieri would be playing 4 5 1 formation in this game with more midfield players in, for this game.
Let us wait till kick off to know what the game holds.

The centre referee  for this match is Andre Marriner.

 More of the actions from King Power Stadium to follow.

Mikel Joins Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA

Midfielder John Mikel Obi has left Chelsea to join Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA.

The 29-year-old Nigerian has played 372 times for Chelsea since joining in 2006 but has not featured this season.

He said it had been "an honour" to play for the Stamford Bridge club but it was time to "seek a new challenge".

Mikel has won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 2012 Champions League during his time at Stamford Bridge.

"I haven't featured as much this season as I would have liked and I still have many years in the game ahead of me," Mikel wrote on Twitter in a message to Chelsea fans.

"With this in mind, I feel now is the time to seek a new challenge.

"I'm delighted to be joining Tianjin TEDA FC at a time that the Chinese Super League is really taking off, and I look forward to helping Tianjin TEDA FC continue to grow.

"To play in the Premier League is every professional player's ambition.

"But to play for Chelsea, to become part of the Chelsea family to work with some of the best managers and players in the world, has truly been an honour.

Mikel is the second Chelsea player to move to the Chinese Super League in recent weeks following Oscar's transfer to Shanghai SIPG.