Chelsea produced a remarkable late turnaround to snatch victory at the Emirates Stadium. The Blues wrecked Mikel Arteta’s return as the manager.
Arteta took charge of his first game at home after succeeding Unai Emery. Arsenal looked on course after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s early header placed the Gunners in front.
In the second half, Lampard made a tactical switch when he introduced Jorginho for the struggling Emerson. The Italian international gifted an equalizer seven minutes from time when goalkeeper Bernd Leno hopelessly misjudged Mason Mount’s free-kick to leave the substitute with a simple finish.
However, Chelsea supporters had reactions to the starting line-up for the London derby. As expected, the Blues head coach was without Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Reece James because of injury.
Jorginho, on the other hand, was lucky to escape a second yellow card for a cynical foul on Lucas Torreira. This brought Arsenal into frustration as Arteta’s home blow was to get even more painful.
Chelsea struck once again with three minutes of normal time left. Tammy Abraham turned Arsenal’s substitute Shkodran Mustafi far too easily in the area to beat Leno and complete the smash and grab raid.
Arsenal lost defender Calum Chambers to injury in the first half. The club will start 2020 with 11 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. Also, they will be without a Premier League home win since 6th October.
Since 1959, it is the first time Arsenal has lost four consecutive home matches in all competitions.
Lampard makes a way for Chelsea
Lampard felt he got his team selection wrong. He ditched his three-man central defense and introduced Jorginho after 34 minutes. Rather, the boss deserves great credit for realizing it was not working and placing it right.
The change did improve Chelsea. But in reality, they could not get any worse in a feisty London derby which saw nine players booked.
Chelsea took complete control of possession and territory in the second half as Lampard’s substitute made an impact.
Lampard looked like he was going to be frustrated by his side’s lack of end product once more. However, they were given the late lifeline by Leno’s dreadful error as well as the generosity of referee Craig Pawson in allowing Jorginho to stay on.
Tammy Abraham ended the comeback for a dramatic win.