PHOTO SPOTLIGHT: Pedro Neto denies Arsenal a huge opportunity to claw back ground in the title race as his superb strike earns Chelsea a 1-1 in Sunday’s tense London derby – and ANDY HOOPER captures all the action
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Welcome to Photo Spotlight. For our latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER soaked up the passion, drama and tension of Stamford Bridge while capturing photos of Chelsea‘s hard-fought 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
With nothing to separate the two clubs in the Premier League table ahead of the London derby, all eyes were on whether Arsenal could claw back much-needed ground in the title race following Manchester City’s shock 2-1 defeat against Brighton and Liverpool’s dominant 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
After a tight first half, Gabriel Martinelli fired the Gunners ahead with a strike from close range on the hour mark, erupting the away support as Mikel Arteta’s men looked set to end their two-game losing streak with a vital win.
But Pedro Neto’s fierce strike from outside the area 10 minutes later restored parity for the Blues, keeping them narrowly above their London rivals on goal difference in the Premier League table at full time.
Our man ANDY HOOPER was on-site at Stamford Bridge to absorb the highs and lows on the night.
Chelsea versus Arsenal has always been a fixture to savour in the Premier League and this year was no exception
There was plenty to ponder for Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as he sought to get the better of his opposite number tactically
Bukayo Saka (right) jostles with left-back Marc Cucurella (left) in a battle the pair also played out during the Euro 2024 final
Under pressure from William Saliba, Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana leaps in the air to get a toe on the ball by all means necessary
Cole Palmer’s free-kick is thwarted by the Gunners wall as Arsenal put their bodies on the line against their London rivals
Noni Madueke and Jurrien Timber tussle for the ball, eager to gain an advantage in the crucial six-pointer at Stamford Bridge
A glorious chance to take the lead goes begging for Chelsea as Malo Gusto blazes over the crossbar from just six yards out
The French full-back holds his wrist after an awkward landing, disappointed not to have put his side ahead in west London
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill (left) sees the funny side of his yellow card as he argues his case with referee Michael Oliver
Kai Havertz (left) wheels away to celebrate opening the scoring for Arsenal – before his goal is ruled out by VAR for offside
Chelsea fans delight in Havertz’s misery as one fan mocks the former Blues star with a photo of the German crying
Saliba fist pumps the air in front of the travelling supporters before learning that his team-mate’s opener has been chalked off
Two England team-mates go head to head outside the box as Declan Rice looks to stop Chelsea’s Palmer dead in his tracks
Gabriel Martinelli breaks the deadlock with a smart finish inside the box as Arsenal take a huge advantage in the match
Maresca calls upon Chelsea full-back Reece James to replace Gusto as second-half changes are made in the London derby
David Raya punches clear with a firm left hand for the Gunners after Chelsea opt for the aerial route at Stamford Bridge
Pedro Neto celebrates coolly after levelling the match for Chelsea with a superb strike from distance at Stamford Bridge
Leandro Trossard comes mighty close to claiming all three points but cannot find the target – as both sides settle for a draw
Despite failing to snatch a win, Maresca heads into the international break full of smiles as his promising project continues
