New Delhi: Chelsea and Arsenal played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, with Gabriel Martinelli’s strike and Pedro Neto’s powerful equalizer providing the key moments in an evenly matched London derby. The first half was competitive, though neither side was able to break the deadlock. Both teams went into the game level on points in the Premier League standings, and they looked evenly matched in the opening 25 minutes.
Arsenal held the majority of possession early on but couldn’t create any clear-cut chances, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer came close with a long-range strike that required a save from David Raya. Chelsea continued to threaten with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto also getting opportunities. Neto, in particular, was a constant danger on the wing, creating a golden chance for Malo Gusto, whose header under pressure from Gabriel Martinelli went over the bar.
Arsenal did have the ball in the net in the 32nd minute when Declan Rice’s quick free-kick released Kai Havertz. Havertz finished smartly past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside, leaving the score 0-0 at halftime. The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark when Martin Odegaard, making his return to the lineup, provided a moment of quality to unlock the Chelsea defense.
Odegaard chipped a pass into the box, allowing Martinelli to make a well-timed run and slot the ball past Sanchez at the near post, putting Arsenal in front.The Gunners seemed to have momentum on their side after the goal, with Jurrien Timber almost doubling their lead moments later. Timber embarked on an impressive solo run, weaving past multiple Chelsea players before unleashing a shot that went narrowly wide of the post.
It ends all square. #CFC | #CHEARS pic.twitter.com/RH8A1rKtVE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 10, 2024
However, Chelsea responded swiftly. In the 70th minute, Enzo Fernandez found Pedro Neto in space, and the Portuguese winger unleashed a 25-yard shot that whizzed past Raya into the bottom corner, drawing Chelsea level. Neto’s strike capped off an impressive performance and restored parity in a game that seemed destined to remain closely contested. As the game approached its final stages, both teams pushed forward in search of a winner.
Arsenal created a few dangerous moments, notably when Mikel Merino was close to connecting with crosses from Bukayo Saka and Odegaard, but Sanchez was equal to the challenge. With just four minutes remaining, Sanchez also saved a close-range effort from Leandro Trossard, who was flagged offside after the fact. In stoppage time, Arsenal nearly snatched a winner as William Saliba’s cross narrowly missed Trossard in the box, but Chelsea managed to clear their lines before the final whistle.
Ultimately, both teams had to settle for a point, reflecting the balance of the game and the quality displayed on both sides. With the draw, Arsenal and Chelsea both head into the international break with 19 points, keeping them level in the league standings. Arsenal’s next challenge comes against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium, followed by a Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon. Chelsea will look to continue their positive momentum under Enzo Maresca when they return to action later this month.
Player of the Match
It’s safe to say Pedro Neto enjoyed celebrating his first Premier League goal for Chelsea 😅💙 pic.twitter.com/YZQJs9keWG
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) November 10, 2024
Pedro Neto delivered an impactful performance, helping Chelsea secure a crucial point against Arsenal. Neto, who recently joined Chelsea, scored his first league goal for the club, showcasing his quality in attack and his ability to make a difference in key moments. His goal came from a superb 25-yard strike that leveled the score and injected momentum back into Chelsea’s play. Neto was a consistent threat on the ball, recording 38 touches, including three within Arsenal’s penalty area.
He maintained a 75% pass accuracy, distributing the ball effectively and creating two significant chances for his teammates, further underlining his playmaking capabilities. In addition to his offensive contributions, Neto put in work defensively with five key actions that disrupted Arsenal’s rhythm. His four recoveries helped transition Chelsea from defense to attack, showcasing his awareness and anticipation. Neto’s balance between offense and defense was crucial in maintaining Chelsea’s shape and momentum.
Pedro Neto’s first league goal for Chelsea cancelled out Gabriel Martinelli’s opener for Arsenal as both rivals share points in the final match before the International break. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
