By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Premier League.
Arsenal have restored their five-point lead at the Premier League summit with a hard fought 2-1 win over Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners struck twice from corners and also conceded from the same route in a match on Sunday that underlined the increasing importance of set-pieces in the Premier League.
Wlliam Saliba sent the hosts on their way midway through the first half when he converted Bukayo Saka’s corner, only for Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie to put one in his own net in first-half stoppage time.
Chelsea’s equalizer, which also arrived from a corner, rocked the Gunners, but they were back ahead after 66 minutes when Jurrien Timber headed home Declan Rice’s inswinger.
Pedro Neto received a yellow card for complaining about Timber’s goal and then landed a second booking just minutes later after he scythed down Gabriel Martinelli.
It resulted in Chelsea’s seventh red card in the league this season and their second in as many matches.
Arsenal still needed a brilliant stoppage-time save from David Raya to deny Alejandro Garnacho before they could celebrate.
Arsenal travel to Brighton on Wednesday with nine games left in their bid to win a first English title since 2004.
The Gunners, through to the League Cup final, the Champions League last 16 and the FA Cup fifth round, have just one top-flight match left against sides currently in the top six – a potentially decisive trip to Manchester City on April 18.