Diego Costa fires Chelsea to 1-0 win over 10-man Arsenal

Diego Costa scored as Chelsea renewed their hold over Arsenal with a 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday that dented their London rivals’ Premier League title hopes.

Costa had been the central figure in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Arsenal in September, when he goaded Gabriel into getting sent off, and he drew the foul that saw Per Mertesacker dismissed in the 18th minute before neatly converting the game’s only goal five minutes later.

It was Arsenal’s first defeat in 10 home league games and left Arsene Wenger’s side in third place, below Manchester City on goal difference and three points shy of leaders Leicester City.

Chelsea rose one place to 13th, calming any relegation concerns, after only their second win in six league games under interim manager Guus Hiddink.

Arsenal, who welcomed Alexis Sanchez back from injury, have now gone nine league games without beating Chelsea, during which they have not scored in over nine and a half hours, and their latest failure left them without a win in three league games.

Chelsea remain 14 points below the top four, but while Champions League qualification remains an unlikely goal, this was further proof that, even without the departed Jose Mourinho, they continue to hold the Indian sign over Arsenal.

Read also: Ighalo rules out Chelsea, Atletico Madrid move

Earlier on Sunday, Francesco Guidolin’s first game in charge of Swansea saw them win 2-1 away to Everton on Sunday as the Welsh club moved four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

A hard fought victory saw Swansea climb to 15th place, just three positions behind Everton, who’ve now won just once in their last 10 league games and only three times in their past 14 at Goodison Park.

Swansea went ahead though Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 17th-minute penalty but Everton were level nine minutes later when Gareth Barry’s near-post flick was turned into his own net by the Swans’ Jack Cork.
But Swansea regained the lead in the 34th minute.

Left-back Neil Taylor burst clear and released Andre Ayew, whose shot deflected in off the sliding John Stones.

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