LEANDRO TROSSARD grabbed a late equaliser to save Arsenal – and Mykhailo Mudryk’s testicles.
The Chelsea winger’s mis-hit cross early in the second half was set to decide this fiery derby.
ReutersChelsea threw away a two-goal lead as Arsenal nicked a point at Stamford Bridge[/caption]
GettyDeclan Rice and Leandro Trossard netted two late goals against the Blues[/caption]
ReutersIt was a heartbreaking result for Chelsea after an impressive performance[/caption]
Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko had jokingly threatened Ukraine team-mate Mudryk that he would “rip his b***s off” if he repeated his midweek wondergoal for their country.
But as time was running out, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez gifted the Gunners a way back into the game when his poor clearance was smashed back into the net by Declan Rice.
And then late substitute Trossard snuck round the back to turn in Bukayo Saka’s cross from close range.
Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino could not believe it and nor could Stamford Bridge.
Despite letting Arsenal have most of the ball, they had bossed most of the game, only to let slip what would have been a significant victory.
On a filthy night in West London, there was plenty of filth on the pitch, too.
Tackles flew in and there were a couple of early bookings.
Chelsea, looking stronger and more dangerous, were convinced that Saliba had blocked Mykhailo Mudryk’s header with his arm.
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But it was only after Marc Cucurella went through the back of Bukayo Saka that a break in play arrived and VAR summoned referee Cavanagh over to the monitor.
To some eyes, it looked harsh, but by the letter of the laws and their current interpretation it was a penalty.
Palmer sent David Raya the wrong way with the spotkick, in what was to be a rare moment of composure in a fast and furious first half.
Although Arsenal bossed the ball, they were being physically bullied by a well-organised Chelsea side.
The visitors struggled to create chances and it was Palmer and Chelsea who went closest to scoring again, with his shot going just wide of Raya’s left-hand post.
GettyCole Palmer put Chelsea ahead with a 15th minute penalty[/caption]
EPAMykhailo Mudryk caught David Raya out with a bizarre cross-goal early in the second half[/caption]
Mudryk’s moment came within three minutes of the restart.
Arsenal lost the ball in the Chelsea half, Conor Gallagher broke and fed Mudryk, whose cross sailed over Raya into the far corner.
Arsenal finally woke up and enjoyed a brief spell of pressure, but Palmer had the chance to kill the game when he intercepted Raya’s attempted pass.
He delayed his shot too long and the Spaniard redeemed himself with a smothering save.
It was all looking pretty comfortable for Chelsea until Sanchez was punished in a way that his compatriot in the other goal had not been.
EPARice capitalised on Robert Sanchez’s mistake to pull one back in the 77th minute[/caption]
GettyTrossard levelled the scores six minutes from time[/caption]
The Blues ‘keeper hit a pass to no-one in particular and Rice hit it first time back into the net.
Worse was to come for the home side.
Arsenal poured forward and Malo Gusto lost sight of Trossard as he made his run to meet Saka’s cross.
Fellow sub Eddie Nketiah almost grabbed an incredible third moments later.
But despite seven minutes of added time, neither side could end the night with one last bit of drama.
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