Chelsea show they have defence to match attack in Arsenal win

Chelsea’s apparent invincibility at home and their grit to bounce back from a minor setback makes them worthy favourites to lift the Premier League title this season.

They are 4/7 to win the Premier League and the current struggles of potential challengers including Manchester United and Liverpool make it seem as though they are certain winners if they avoid any major hiccup in form.

Carlo Ancelotti had watched his team’s 100 per cent winning start come to an end when they lost 1-0 at Manchester City and it was interesting to see how they would respond when taking on another of the title favourites in Arsenal.

Despite not producing the most dominant of displays and being second best in the possession stakes, Chelsea did what they do best to claim a 2-0 success and make it five successive wins in all competitions against Arsenal.

Once Didier Drogba had scored his 13th goal in his last 11 games with the Gunners against the run of play, Chelsea simply protected their lead and made themselves hard to break down, even against Arsenal’s gifted creative midfielders.

Chelsea have a tendancy to steamroller many teams at Stamford Bridge, with Blackpool and West Brom on the wrong end of hammerings this season, while Sunderland, Aston Villa, Stoke and Wigan all getting the same treatment during the last campaign.

However, Chelsea have also shown in reason years an uncanny ability to protect leads, a mentality that was started in the era of Jose Mourinho.

This came to the fore against Arsenal, as Chelsea’s midfield kept Arsenal at arm’s length and limited their attacking opportunities despite their superior possession.

They have now won all of their four home games in the Premier League this season without conceding a goal.

Meanwhile, in Drogba they have perhaps the best striker in the top flight and his goal against Arsenal was his sixth of the Premier League season.

Drogba is 7/4 to finish as the Premier League’s top scorer this season, while teammate Florent Malouda is 10/1 after also helping himself to six goals in the opening seven games.

Manchester United are 3/1 to win the Premier League despite already being five points behind Chelsea. See the full Premier League winners betting odds market.