The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Arsenal earn share of spoils with late strike
premier league: Reversal of fortunes for Bellerin with injury-time goal
ARSENAL 2 CHELSEA 2
Hector Bellerin’s stoppage-time goal rescued a 2-2 draw for Arsenal in a pulsating and controversial Premier League clash with Chelsea.
It looked like Chelsea had come from behind to triumph when Marcos Alonso struck six minutes from time, after Jack Wilshere’s first league goal since May 2015 had been cancelled out by an Eden Hazard penalty.
But the Gunners would not be beaten and Bellerin punished Alonso’s poor clearing header with a fine finish for a share of the points – though there was still time for Chelsea’s Davide Zappacosta to hit the crossbar.
Wilshere had broken the deadlock, but there were doubts over whether the midfielder should have been on the pitch.
Already booked, he went down looking for a free-kick on the edge of the area and might have received a second yellow card from referee Anthony Taylor for simulation.
Wilshere beat Courtois with a thunderous left-footed strike from Rob Holding’s pass.
The Gunners’ lead lasted just four minutes as Hector Bellerin was adjudged to have fouled Hazard, who equalised with the resulting penalty.
When substitute Zappacosta crossed and Alonso showed a poacher’s instinct at the near post it appeared to be decisive.
However, fellow full-back Bellerin struck back with an even better finish.
Hostilities between the teams will be renewed in a week’s time, in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, fifth-placed Tottenham play host to West Ham tonight (8pm kick-off).
Danny Rose is likely to be missing again as Tottenham play their second game in 48 hours.
Harry Kane should return after dropping to the bench for Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Swansea because of a heavy cold, while Victor Wanyama could make his first start since August following a knee problem.
West Ham have a host of injury worries, with Aaron Cresswell the latest concern.