Skip to content

Arsenal grabs 3-2 win over Southampton, Chelsea held at home

xel127-48_2018_140012

LONDON — Danny Welbeck scored twice to help Arsenal beat Southampton 3-2 in a Premier League game that ended with two sendings-off on Sunday.

In Sunday's other league game, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez scored minutes after coming on as a substitute to earn West Ham a 1-1 draw at Chelsea in their London derby.

At the Emirates Stadium, Southampton defender Jack Stephens was shown red in injury time when he reacted to Jack Wilshere tugging his shirt by pushing the Arsenal midfielder to the ground.

Stephens, his shirt in tatters, left the pitch as Wilshere was booked for his tactical foul.

Then Mohamed Elneny was shown red after he pushed the visiting players while they were trying to take the free kick quickly.

Southampton was looking for the equalizer after Welbeck grabbed the home side's winner late, minutes after missing an easier chance to score.

Shane Long had rewarded Southampton's enterprising start when he nipped ahead of Shkodran Mustafi to end his goal-drought in the 17th minute. It was the Ireland striker's second league goal of the season and his first since Jan. 2.

But Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalized with a fine finish shortly afterward, taking his tally to six goals in seven games since his winter transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

There were chances at either end before Welbeck grabbed his first goal minutes before the break, only for Charlie Austin to rekindle the visitors' hopes after some brilliant work from Cedric.

But Welbeck atoned for his miss before the eventful finale.

The win gives Arsene Wenger's side a boost before Thursday's Europa League quarterfinal second leg at CSKA Moscow. Arsenal leads 4-1 from the first.

The 18-year-old forward Reiss Nelson made his first Premier League start for Arsenal and was given a rude welcome from Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic, who was fortunate to escape a booking for his dangerous tackle in the opening minutes.

Before the game, fans paid tribute to former England captain Ray Wilkins, who died on Wednesday, with a minute's applause, despite his long association with London rival Chelsea.

___

CHELSEA DISAPPOINTMENT

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez earned West Ham a valuable point in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

The visitors did not look like scoring until Chicharito came on with 20 minutes remaining. The Mexico forward equalized with a brilliant finish after Marko Arnautovic cut the ball back.

Chelsea was to rue the mistake from Gary Cahill that gifted Arnautovic the ball.

Host Chelsea, which went ahead through Cesar Azpilicueta in the 36th minute, had been dominating the game and would probably have won it but for some excellent goalkeeping from Joe Hart.

Hart produced a brilliant flying save to deny Marcos Alonso a winning goal.

While West Ham moved six points clear of the relegation zone, Chelsea fans vented their frustration after the latest in a series of poor results.

Champions League football looks beyond the fifth-place team with Tottenham now 10 points clear in the last qualification spot.

There were tributes and a minute's applause for former Chelsea captain Ray Wilkins before kickoff.

The Associated Press


Looking for National Sports News?

VillageReport.ca viewed on a mobile phone

Check out Village Report - the news that matters most to Canada, updated throughout the day.  Or, subscribe to Village Report's free daily newsletter: a compilation of the news you need to know, sent to your inbox at 6AM.

Subscribe