Drogba 41, 86

                                                                                                       Vermaelen (og) 45

Chelsea cemented their position as EPL title favourites with this clinical destruction of Arsenal’s 100% record at the Emirates this season, Arsenal’s first home defeat since Chelsea won 4-1 there at the end of last season.

Much as Arsenal had done to North London rivals Tottenham last month, Chelsea sealed victory with two quick goals late in what had previously been an even first half.

And Carlo Ancelotti’s men were just too strong, metaphorically and literally, for their opponents all over the park. They remain five points clear at the top of the EPL and 11 points clear of Arsenal, whose title challenge has now wilted considerably.

Chances were at a premium in what was nonetheless a highly watchable first 40 minutes, although Chelsea players seemed to disregard a foul in the penalty area by Arsenal’s French full-back Bacary Sagna on countryman Nicolas Anelka after 18 minutes.

By half-time, that didn’t matter. The constantly-barracked Ashley Cole crossed superbly from the left for Didier Brogba to side-foot a volley into the top right-hand corner of the net off post and crossbar on 41 minutes.

And right on half-time another Cole cross was finished with aplomb, this time, sadly for him, by Arsenal’s Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Arsenal threatened a comeback after the interval and Andrei Arshavin lashed the ball into the roof of the net on 48 minutes after a goalmouth scramble instigated by a poor Drogba backpass.

But referee Andre Marriner ruled out the effort for dangerous play by Eduardo on Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.

And the Blues weathered the storm before re-asserting control, with Frank Lampard nearly diverting a mishit Drogba shot into the net with his chest, keeper Manuel Almiunia making an excellent left-handed save.

Almunia’s left-hand could only wave at the ball, however, as Drogba’s terrific free-kick from 25 yards flew past him to complete Arsenal’s misery with four minutes remaining.