Chelsea, reduced to 10 men in the first half after Moises Caicedo was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Mikel Merino, managed to hold league leaders Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in a heated, top-of-the-table affair at Stamford Bridge.
According to a report from The Standard, Chelsea secured a 1-1 draw against league leaders Arsenal despite playing most of the match with only 10 men following a first-half red card.
The contentious moment came when Moises Caicedo was dismissed by referee Anthony Taylor for a dangerous challenge on Arsenal’s Mikel Merino.
The contest was described as a “heated, top-of-the-table affair” and a “feisty afternoon in west London,” with Taylor being “card-happy.”
After a relatively low-key first half in terms of goalscoring chances—though Robert Sanchez denied Bukayo Saka’s drive and a shot from Gabriel Martinelli—Enzo Maresca’s side took the lead shortly after the break.
Trevoh Chalobah popped up at the near post to flick home Reece James’ corner on 48 minutes, giving the hosts something to cling onto.
However, Arsenal found the equalizer just shy of the hour mark when Merino rose highest at the far post to nod past Sanchez from a “delicate Saka stand-up.”
Late on, Sanchez came to the home side’s rescue, keeping out Martin Odegaard’s daisy-cutter. Chelsea were also “outraged” by the returning Viktor Gyokeres’ challenge on the Spanish keeper as he lunged for the rebound.
The result leaves Chelsea in third in the table, a point off Manchester City in second, and six behind the Gunners.