Chelsea back on top with Arsenal win

Victory lifted the Blues to 58 points,two more than defending champions United and nine more than third-place Arsenal. After losing 3-1 to United last weekend,Arsenal were desperate for victory at Stamford Bridge but now face a tough challenge to close on the leading pair with just 13 games remaining.

Chelsea captain John Terry started the game two days after being stripped of the England captaincy and set up the first goal in the eighth minute.

Its a difficult week for us,for all the club, said Drogba,who has scored 12 goals in 10 games against the Gunners. We try to stay together and focus on the games.

But the defender could be a doubt for Wednesdays match at Everton after receiving treatment to his left thigh midway through the second half,only returning to the game with his leg heavily strapped.

Terry made the opening goal when he rose to meet a corner and headed the ball to the far post,where Drogba tapped it in from close range.

Counterattack works

The second goal came from the sort of counterattack more usually seen from Arsenal or Manchester United. Chelsea won possession on the edge of its own area and Frank Lampard carried the ball up the middle of the field against a retreating defence. The midfielder slipped a pass to Drogba on the right and the Ivory Coast striker cut inside defender Thomas Vermaelen before smashing a shot past stranded goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Drogba now has 17 league goals this season,putting him second in the scoring charts to Uniteds Wayne Rooney on 21.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas went close with a curling free kick from just outside the area but he too was shaken by a clash of heads with Branislav Ivanovic in injury time at the end of the match.

Arsenal host fourth-place Liverpool on Wednesday.

Also Sunday,Kevin Phillips scored twice in the last 10 minutes to give Birmingham a 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and preserve his sides five-month unbeaten streak at home.