Premier League: Chelsea close in on title after draw with Arsenal

Chelsea’s pursuit of the Premier League trophy will go into May after the runaway leaders drew 0-0 at Arsenal on Sunday with a cautious, ultra-defensive display. By protecting a 10-point lead over Manchester City and Arsenal, Chelsea can secure its first title in five years by beating Leicester on Wednesday and Crystal Palace next Sunday. “It’s a big step two where we want to go,” Chelsea captain John Terry said. “We nullified them, we played very well … and we came and gave it a go.” However, the draw was marred for Chelsea by Brazilian playmaker Oscar being taken to hospital injured after a heavy collision with Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina. [caption id=“attachment_2213982” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Chelsea was frustrated to have three penalty appeals rejected in the first half at the Emirates Stadium. AP[/caption] Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said Oscar “went to hospital to make some scans to see what is going on.” Asked if Oscar had suffered concussion in the collision, Mourinho said: “I don’t know.” Chelsea was frustrated to have three penalty appeals rejected in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, two involving Oscar and then when Cesc Fabregas was booked for diving. But Terry later said referee Michael Oliver “probably got them right,” Mourinho seemed to send Chelsea with the target of avoiding losing. Injuries to top-scorer Diego Costa and Loic Remy meant no recognized striker featured in the starting lineup and Didier Drogba only came on at halftime when Oscar was forced off. With Arsenal frustrated by Chelsea’s rearguard, manager Arsene Wenger is left searching for a first career win over Mourinho. The hosts only managed one shot on target, when Mesut Ozil’s tame shot was easily collected by Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois just before half time. Mathematically, the title remains possible for Arsenal but unrealistic as the drought goes into a 12th year. Chelsea’s supremacy in the standings has not been reflected in the recent performances but it was recognized by players across the league on Sunday when the Premier League team of the season was announced by the Professional Footballers’ Association. Six Chelsea players were among the eleven and center backs Gary Cahill and Terry demonstrated against Arsenal just why their defensive abilities admired by their fellow professionals. “Boring, boring Chelsea,” Arsenal fans chanted after the game having already booed most touching from former captain Cesc Fabregas. It was Fabregas who sent the ball through to Oscar for the game’s early controversy in the 15th minute. Oscar hooked the ball over Ospina and — as Hector Bellerin headed it clear from the goal-line — the Arsenal goalkeeper clattered into the midfielder. Oscar lay flat on the pitch after the incident, and received treatment. He played out the rest of the half before being replaced and there was no immediate information on his injury. No penalty was awarded, much to the apparent annoyance of some Chelsea players, given that Bellerin had already fouled Oscar in the penalty area. Then Fabregas was booked for diving when he went down under a slight touch from Santi Cazorla. It was Arsenal appealing for a penalty when Cazorla’s shot hit the raised arm of Cahill while the defender on the field. Drogba showed why Mourinho was justified not to start him, managing only one shot after he replaced Oscar — a deflected effort that went wide with around 20 minutes to go. Everton hammer Man United Everton moved into the top 10 of the Premier League, partly redeeming a hugely disappointing season for its supporters with an impressive 3-0 win over Manchester United. It was United’s heaviest league defeat under Louis van Gaal. James McCarthy scored the opener with only five minutes gone at Goodison Park, John Stones doubled the lead in the 35th and Kevin Mirallas added a third in the 74th for Roberto Martinez’s side. United stayed fourth, seven points clear of Liverpool in the fight for a Champions League spot. David Moyes, in his final match as United manager in this fixture last season, accused his players of “rank and rotten” defending — and it was the same scenario this time around. McCarthy bundled his way past the woeful Paddy McNair and Daley Blind to put the Toffees ahead and Stones easily glanced in a header before the break. And the United back four stood like statues waiting for an offside flag that never came in the second half as Mirallas finished to seal the rout for Everton, which is now unbeaten in six matches. "Obviously it’s been a frustrating campaign but we’ve put a few wins on the bounce now and we want to kick on and finish the season on a high, but we don’t want to get carried away," McCarthy told Sky Sports. “We need to take a game at a time and try and go unbeaten until the end of the season.” After enjoying a run of six wins, Van Gaal has now seen his team lose two successive matches for the first time since he took over. This was United’s fifth loss away from home. Van Gaal will also be concerned to see Wayne Rooney hobbling off at the end of the match. United seemed certain of a top-four finish two weeks ago but Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool team has a game in hand. AP