Three days after their debacle in the Champions League, the Blues rebounded on Saturday by winning at Southampton (6-0), while Arsenal recorded a second setback against Brighton (2-1).
The Londoners did not take advantage of the defeat of Manchester United, beaten at Everton (1-0, during the 32nd day of the English championship.
After two heavy poor performances at Stamford Bridge against Brentford (1-4) and especially against Real Madrid (1-3) in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, the Blues consolidated their third place, with eight points ahead of their pursuers Arsenal and Tottenham, opposed to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Thomas Tuchel’s team was able to count on the doubles of Timo Werner, who had been silent in the league for six months, and Mason Mount, also a passer on Marcos Alonso’s goal at the very start of the match. We have to go back to August 2010 to see Chelsea win an away victory by six goals. It was at Wigan, under current Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Another cold snap at Arsenal
The Gunners with a Granit Xhaka posted as a left-back for the occasion, conceded another surprising defeat against Brighton (1-2), just five days after being out of the field at Crystal Palace (3-0). Two unfortunate defeats, since they allow Tottenham to move into fourth position even before their late afternoon match on the Aston Villa pitch.
Led in the 28th after a goal from Leandro Trossard, the Gunners reacted too weakly to be able to reverse the trend. They thought they equalized just before the break, but the video assistance finally canceled a Martinelli goal for offside after four minutes of checking.
/ ATS