After our Carabao Cup semi-final triumphs over Chelsea earlier this year, this Premier League encounter had massive implications for our title push. The atmosphere at the Emirates was electric, and Nicolas Jover's set-piece routines proved to be the difference-maker.
Set-Piece Kings
Every goal in this match came from a corner. We struck first in the 21st minute, William Saliba heading in Bukayo Saka's delivery. Chelsea found a lifeline in first-half stoppage time under unfortunate circumstances: Reece James swung one in and Piero Hincapié diverted it into his own net.
Timber's Moment
The decisive moment arrived in the 66th minute. Once again, it was a corner routine. Declan Rice whipped in an inswinger and Jurriën Timber rose highest to head us back into the lead.
That is 16 of our 52 league goals this season from corners, matching the record for a single Premier League campaign, a mark we now share with Oldham and West Brom. Nicolas Jover is worth every penny.
The task became slightly easier when Pedro Neto was booked for complaining about Timber's goal and then sent off on 70 minutes for scything down Gabriel Martinelli on the counter. Even a man down Chelsea threatened late, and David Raya was superb: a diving save from Alejandro Garnacho's curler in stoppage time, a catch from Pedro's goalbound header, and one more Garnacho effort tipped behind. Liam Delap did put the ball in the net in stoppage time, ruled out for offside in the build-up.
The win restored our five-point lead at the top, with Manchester City still to play. The march continues!
Man of the Match: William Saliba 🇫🇷
Opened the scoring and was an absolute rock at the back amidst late Chelsea pressure.