Chelsea 2 - Arsenal 0: Mourinho beats Wenger (again) as two Gunners see red in derby clash

Diego Costa and Gabriel Paulista clashed which saw the Arsenal man get sent-off against Chelsea

It’s about time Diego Costa took delivery of madcap Mario Balotelli’s well worn t-shirt with ‘Why always me? emblazoned on the front.

 

Because the Brazilian born Spanish international could start an argument in an empty room  - and yes Diego when there’s a ruck it is usually you.

This spikey street-fighter who occasionally puts his mind to scoring goals was at the heart of Arsenal defender Gabriel’s sending off and centre-circle rumpus which is likely to have more consequences for the Gunners.

 

Gabriel didn’t go quietly after seeing red, having to be restrained from attacking Costa who he will know only too well from their time – and no doubt spats -  together in La Liga.

Inevitably Costa had started it all inside the Arsenal penalty area shoving a hand into Laurent Koscielny’s face before barging the Frenchman to the floor. In came Gabriel and after a shoving match of their own both players were yellow carded.

The antipathy between the two clubs ensured it wouldn’t end there with another coming together some forty yards from the original flashpoint, referee Mike Dean spotting Gabriel, not exactly the angel Gabriel, sneakily kicking out at Costa.

It was a straight red – and Costa didn’t even have the good grace to turn crimson with embarrassment at being outed as the agent provocateur.

 

Santi Cazorla was sent-off for a second bookable offence as Arsenal finished the game with nine men

“Football can be pathetic sometimes.”tweeted former England captain Michael Vaughan . Safe to say this wasn’t one of the old game’s finest moments.

The majority of the rest of the football probably belonged in the Colosseum  - not that it bothered Chelsea as they emerged with a much needed victory.

For Gunners boss Arsene Wenger it all got a whole lot worse, a first ever league goal for Kurt Zouma -  meaning that normal service had been resumed in battles against Mourinho’s Chelsea -and seeing his side reduced to nine men with Santi Cazorla earning a deserved second yellow card.

Eden Hazard increased the pain with a late strike which cannoned off Arsenal substitute Calum Chambers and past Chelsea old boy Petr Cech.

All this and having to shake bitter rival Mourinho’s hand as well –  at least before the game, Wenger scurrying back to the dressing room while the Portuguese hugged everyone in sight.

 

Kurt Zouma celebrates giving Chelsea the lead at Stamford Bridge

As handshakes go it was as genuine as a forged bank note but priceless all the same – pure farce.

Mourinho had it appeared deliberately blocked Wenger’s route to the sanctuary of his dug-out seat, standing at the head of the tunnel.

When the Chelsea boss placed out his hand there was no way to go for Wenger who obliged with the enthusiasm of a man on the way to the gallows.

Some fed up Gooners believe it’s time for Wenger to depart and after this latest set back the pressure has moved from West to North London.

It’s now six draws and eight defeats in games against Mourinho – his only respite coming with victory in August’s Community Shield.

   

Arsene Wenger shook Jose Mourinho's hand before the game

That will seem a long time ago for those of a Arsenal persuasion, not helped by the news last week that there is £200 million sitting in the Gunners bank.

Out of the abrasive collision somehow came two goals, the first a header from Zouma following a Cesc Fabregas free-kick just after the break which even brought the benched John Terry off the bench.

Eden Hazard forced Cech into a fine stop before Costa slowly walked off to a standing ovation from the Chelsea fans who understandably can see no evil.

They were soon back on their feet to salute Hazard’s late goal, the Belgian pouncing after Loic Remy had seen an effort blocked.

Chelsea had shown their muscle in more ways than one.

Chelsea: Begovic; Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas (Mikel 90); Pedro, Oscar (Ramires 68), Hazard; Costa (Pedro 81).

Arsenal: Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal; Coquelin (Chanbers 46), Cazorla; Ramsey, Ozil (Giroud 75), Sanchez (Oxlade-Chamberlain 75); Walcott.

Referee: M. Dean.

Att: 41,584

Man of the match: Cesc Fabregas.  Sprang into life for his best game of the season so far against his old club.