Spain playmaker Juan Mata scored one goal and set up another as Chelsea handed Arsenal its first loss of the season,winning 2-1 on Saturday to consolidate top spot in the Premier League.
Mata’s curling free kick that glanced off Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny into the net proved to be the winner in the 53rd,earning the European champions a fifth win in six league games.
Fernando Torres gave Chelsea the lead in the 20th from another free kick by Mata but Gervinho equalized just before halftime,peeling off John Terry to slam home a finish.
Terry was playing just two days after being banned for four games for racially abusing an opponent in a league game last year. He was available today as he is considering appealing the suspension.