A cracker of a game and 8 points clear

It was worth the wake!

Arsenal went to Stamford bridge to meet Chelsea for what promised to be a fabulous match. Of course I stayed up and watched! (Just FYI, the match starter at 12 midnight my time).

Surprisingly, Arsenal dominated the proceedings for two thirds of the first half. They had most of the possession, made Chelsea look queasy and did not let their opponents settle into any rhythm. What they also lacked was the shots on goal as they pretty much created no chances. They sorely missed Thierry Henry, who is out with a neck strain.

So the first half went 0-0 and I was in no shape or form going to miss the second half.

I think the lockerroom saw some Morinho screams cause Chelsea looked a lot more lethal in the second half. They hit the post three times and created a lot more chances. But Flamini struck a nice Hleb pass into the Chelsea goal to take Arsenal one up.

That is when they experienced the wrath of Chelsea. The pressure Chelsea put on Arsenal's young defence was unbearable and something had to give. But the defence was not the reason the equalizer came.

It was a fabulous strike from Michael Essien from outside the box that sealed it. And while it was a great strike, it could have gone any way. And so I attribute the equalizer to luck more than great play. But Chelsea deserved the goal and should have gotten one in by the level of play.

At the close of play, both teams returned with a point each.

Which means Chelsea slip a further two points away from ManU!!!

YESSSS!!!!

ManU calmly destroyed City in another derby-day contest with a cool 3-1 score line. Now ManU are sitting pretty at the top of the table with an 8 point cushion over Chelsea. Even if Chelsea win the game in hand they have, they will still be five points behind...a change from the three point gap that existed before this game. An even bigger change from the greater-than-15-points-difference Chelsea had last year.

Go ManU.

And I cannot believe I am saying this, but a big thank you to both Arsenal and Chelsea for giving all of us such a wonderful match to watch.

This is why the English Premier League ROCKS!!!