Match Report: Chelsea - Arsenal

A stunning goal by Michael Essien preserved Chelsea's unbeaten league record under Jose Mourinho and cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership to eight points with a 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Arsenal had looked set to become the first side to beat the champions since they last achieved the feat in February 2004 when Matthieu Flamini put them ahead in the 78th minute.

But Essien rescued Chelsea with a 35-yard thunderbolt six minutes from the end and the home side were unlucky to finish on level terms when they twice hit the woodwork in stoppage time.

The first half surprisingly failed to yield a goal as Chelsea were denied an advantage by a goal-line clearance from Cesc Fabregas and Jens Lehmann's left-hand upright.

There was much to admire in what was a typically full-blooded London `derby', but referee Alan Wiley also managed to enjoy his fair share of the limelight.

The official was a constant subject for Mourinho's theatrical leaps off the Chelsea bench as he complained bitterly about his decisions - most notably a yellow card for Ashley Cole.

The former Arsenal defender, who moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer, was booed every time he touched the ball by those who once idolised him.

A quarter of an hour had passed though before either side managed to produce a shot on target.

But Andriy Shevchenko tested Arsenal's Lehmann with a powerful 20-yard drive which the German goalkeeper dealt with easily.

German midfielder Michael Ballack gave Lehmann some real cause for concern when his right-foot shot fell inches the wrong side of the post.

But in the 17th minute Arsenal had the woodwork to thank for keeping them on level terms when Frank Lampard's shot bypassed the flatfooted Arsenal keeper and rebounded off the post.

Arsenal has shown some neat touches in midfield with the busy Alexander Hleb always looking for an opening and Robin van Persie taking up some clever positions.

It was the Dutchman who almost surprised Hilario with an angled shot that flashed beyond the Portuguese keeper's post in the 21st minute.

Moments later the game began to get a little tempestuous when Cole was booked for bringing down Hleb, to the fury of Mourinho and his assembled cohorts in the dugout.

Arsenal escaped again in the 38th minute when Fabregas was on hand to clear off the line after Lehmann had failed to deal adequately with a corner from Lampard.

In the 63rd minute tempers flared again when Lehmann pushed Drogba and the Ivorian striker returned the favour - a move that prompted Wiley to stop the game and deliberate his next course of action with his assistants. The outcome was a booking for both players.

Four minutes later a poor pass from Philippe Senderos was intercepted by substitute Arjen Robben who ran on to despatch a left-foot shot that Lehmann did well to keep out at the second attempt.

But Chelsea paid for their wastefulness when Flamini put the Gunners ahead in the 78th minute.

The Arsenal midfielder cleverly exchanged passes with Hleb on two occasions before sending a shot into the bottom corner.

The goal stung Chelsea into action and Drogba twice failed to supply the required finish before Essien despatched a thunderous right-foot drive in the 84th minute to level matters.

But there was still more to come with Chelsea twice hitting the woodwork in injury time - first Essien slammed the ball against the bar from two yards out and Lampard hit the inside of the post after Lehmann had spilled Robben's shot.