Arsenal, Chelsea in dramatic draw
Hector Bellerin came to Arsenal’s rescue in stoppage time to clinch a 2-2 draw against Chelsea after conceding in an absorbing English Premier League encounter yesterday.
All four goals came in the final half hour as defending champion Chelsea only managed to reduce Manchester City’s lead to 14 points and left Arsenal 10 points further adrift.
The deficit would have been even worse for the sixth-place hosts had Bellerin not redeemed himself. The right back’s challenge on Eden Hazard had allowed the Chelsea winger to cancel out Jack Wilshere’s opener in the 67th minute.
Marcos Alonso fired Chelsea in front in the 84th with his sixth goal of the season, but wasn’t as meticulous back on defensive duties in the second minute of stoppage time. A headed clearance went straight to Bellerin, who levelled with a half-volley.
Chelsea was still pursuing the winner in the third minute of stoppage time when defender Davide Zappacosta struck the crossbar.
Had striker Alvaro Morata not missed so many chances this could have been a third consecutive win for Chelsea. Instead all Chelsea and Arsenal can realistically now achieve through the league is Champions League qualification.
Even that could be beyond Arsene Wenger’s side, with fourth place six points away.
Wenger called the penalty farcical. ‘‘At the moment we have to face surprising decisions,’' he said.