Drogba 8, 22   

Chelsea returned to the top of the EPL as two Didier Drogba goals in the first quarter of the game saw off Arsenal’s challenge on the day, and possibly their challenge for the title.

Arsenal dominated possession throughout but lacked penalty box penetration and Drogba was the width of the crossbar away from completing a hat-trick with an 83^rd minute free-kick which Gunners keeper Manuel Almunia watched from a distance.

Drogba’s first goal came from much closer range when he was left unattended at the back post to stab the ball home after John Terry flicked Florent Malouda’s corner into his path on eight minutes.

He grabbed his second midway through the half, hammering the ball left-footed past Almunia after a stunning pitch-length counter-attack via a Frank Lampard pass.

Andrei Arshavin had spurned a fine chance in-between Chelsea’s goals, firing at keeper Petr Cech from eight yards.

But despite all their second-half possession, Arsenal only got the occasional sight of Cech’s goal, Cesc Fabregas forcing an excellent left-handed stop from the Czech custodian with a 69^th minute free-kick.

Chelsea are now nine points clear of their London rivals. And the EPL looks a two-horse race between them and Manchester United.