A controversial late wonder-goal by Michael Essien gave Chelsea a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Ashley Cole seemed to foul Alexander Hleb in the build-up to Essien’s long-range strike on 84 minutes, which cancelled out Mathieu Flamini’s 79th-minute strike.
Chelsea also hit the woodwork twice in injury time in a match they should have won by half time.
The result means Chelsea are eight points behind leaders Manchester United with one game in hand, while Arsenal rise to sixth.
Chelsea bossed a first half in which the best chances fell to Frank Lampard, who hit the post with an instinctive volley, and Essien, who saw an effort cleared off the line.
Didier Drogba provided the earliest excitement when, on 12 minutes, he brought down a long ball into the right channel with a sublime piece of skill to back heel the ball around Philippe Senderos in one movement, forcing a foul which Chelsea demanded a yellow for, the beginning of their consistent attempts to influence referee Alan Wiley.
Wiley, to his credit, was calm and controlled in allowing the match to flow and ignoring repeated efforts by Chelsea’s players to get Arsenal players booked.
The only player booked in the opening 45 minutes was indeed a Chelsea man – returning anti-hero Ashley Cole, for a late, two-footed tackle on Alexander Hleb.
Most of the opportunities were the hosts’, however, Andriy Shevchenko sending a curler into Jens Lehmann’s arms on the quarter hour mark.
A minute later Michael Ballack then sent compatriot Lehmann scrambling across goal with an excellent right-foot shot from all of 35 yards the went flashing wide of the far post.
With Chelsea’s pressure incessant, Lampard quickly hit the woodwork, sending an acrobatic volley off the post with Lehmann totally beaten.
Arsenal’s inexperienced back four featured Philippe Senderos, Gael Clichy, Johan Djourou and – a veteran at 23 – Emmanuel Eboue. Ironically, it was the youngest of the four, Djourou, who bailed his team-mates out t times, compensating at least once for Eboue’s naivety.
The Ivory Coast right back was impressive with his surging runs but repeatedly left space at the back for Drogba and Cole to exploit, while Senderos looked nervous at dealing with long balls and the physical threat of the champions’ burly presence.
Drogba sent a volley high and wide after a Senderos error on 19 minutes, while Essien somehow toe-poked over from close range with Gilberto doing just enough to put him off.
Flamini did go close for the visitors with a 36th minute header, but Chelsea were unfortunate not to go in at half time at least a goal to the good when, seven minutes before the break, Lehmann flapped at a Lampard corner and Essien drilled the finish low into the bottom corner.
But Cesc Fabregas was at the far post to hack the ball away and Arsenal survived another scare just before the whistle when Senderos was forced to clear after Eboue again let Cole in this time.
Arsenal came out after the break with more intent, keeping and using the ball much more effectively but still looking shaky at the back.
Adebayor was leading the line with strength and purpose, with the first effort of the half when he turned Ricardo Carvalho and fired wide of Hilario’s post.
But Chelsea came back into it and Drogba should have scored when he headed over Lampard’s 50th minute free kick with Essien in a better position to make contact.
Adebayor used his pace and aggression to run at the Chelsea box and lay off a chance for Fabregas to shoot straight at Lehmann just after the hour and four minutes later the sad side of both sides was on display when Drogba and Lehmann flung themselves to the ground after a disagreement following Drogba – justified – claims for a penalty when Senderos hauled him down in the box.
It was one of only two errors made by referee Alan Wiley, although Drogba’s reputation understandably precedes him and the decision to book both players probably the right one.
Chelsea almost grabbed the goal that seemed to be coming when substitute Arjen Robben – on for the again mediocre Shevchenko – picked up on a terribly loose pass by Senderos to race at the Arsenal box and force an excellent stop by Lehmann.
The ball flew to Drogba with an open goal but Arsenal captain Gilberto flung his body in the way and saved Arsenal – and the repeatedly nervy Senderos’ – bacon.
But it was Arsenal who took an unlikely lead when a good passing move spreading across both wings outside the Chelsea box culminated in a patient Flamini opting to find Hleb wide instesd of shoot, the decision paying off when he took the return ball just inside the box and fired off the outstretched hands of the culpable HIlario for 1-0.
Drogba almost responded in kind when he took down a long ball and raced clear of the Arsenal defence, but Lehmann flew out and did just enough to force the former Marseille man to jab the ball wide.
The same man also should have scored two minutes later when he sent a free header from a Robben cross over the bar after Senderos went to sleep again.
The Blues did get their equaliser though, when Lampard teed up Essien – now playing at right back. The Ghana man did not hesitate to send a 35-yard screamer curling just inside the flying Lehmann’s right-hand post when it seemed to be going well wide.
It was an absolute beauty, but a sour taste was left in the mouth of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who made clear his – correct – belief that former Arsenal defender Cole fouled Hleb in the build-up.
Hleb himself should have put Arsenal back in front two minutes later when sub Ljungberg found him unmarked in the area but he wildly sent the ball over the bar.
The final chances to snatch all three points fell to Chelsea though, first when Essien somehow hammered a 92nd minute corner off the bar from one yard out and then right at the death when Lampard latched onto a Lehmann fumble and sent the ball crashing off the post, agonisingly rolling across the goal-line and away to safety.
But the points were destined to be shared in a result which – for the first time this season – sees Manchester United installed as favourites for the Premiership title.
