March 25, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 16, 1429

LONDON, March 24: Didier Drogba kept alive Chelsea’s English Premier League title challenge as his double strike clinched a 2-1 win against Arsenal on Sunday.

Avram Grant’s side were in danger of being cast adrift in the title race when Bacary Sagna headed Arsenal into a second-half lead at Stamford Bridge.

But Drogba equalised with a superb strike before snatching the winner eight minutes from full-time to move the Blues above Arsenal into second place.

It was a much-needed victory for Grant, who finally savoured the taste of success in a genuinely big match. But while Chelsea were celebrating a result that left them five points behind Manchester United, it was Sir Alex Ferguson’s leaders who were the real winners.

With Arsenal now six points adrift of United, the reigning champions are in pole position to retain their title. United still have to host Arsenal and visit the Bridge in April and Ferguson will have been rubbing his hands in glee at Arsenal’s demise.Drogba’s brace condemned the Gunners to their second league defeat this season and Arsene Wenger’s team, who have gone five matches without a win, look to have lost their nerve with the finishing post in sight.

“This gives us the belief we can still be in the race against Manchester United,” said Drogba. “But Arsenal are not ‘dead’ even though they lost this game.

“Maybe it is going to be difficult for their confidence, I don’t know. It’s always difficult to play against Arsenal but 2-1, we deserved it.”

Victory was all the more important for Chelsea coming as it did after their spectacular 4-4 midweek draw against Tottenham.

“This means a lot. After Wednesday, it was a bit difficult, but we are still in it.”

United’s crushing 3-0 win over Liverpool earlier Sunday left neither London club with any margin for error.

Wenger’s side were the last visiting team to leave the Bridge celebrating three points in the league. But the Blues had gone an English record 77 matches unbeaten since that defeat way back in February 2004.

A surprisingly tepid first-half briefly turned nasty when Wenger sprang to his feet to berate Michael Ballack.

The German, who had tumbled under Cesc Fabregas’s challenge, responded with a volley of abuse towards Wenger.

Grant’s side finished the half on top and Ballack’s first-time shot drew a smart stop from Manuel Almunia at his near post.

With United disappearing out of sight, Arsenal couldn’t carry on being so cautious after the break. Mathieu Flamini’s powerful effort from a tight angle was well blocked by Carlo Cudicini as the Gunners tried to up their tempo.

Wenger’s team were hardly dominating but they snatched the lead in the 59th minute from an unlikely source.

Fabregas whipped in a corner towards Bacary Sagna, who directed a glancing header past Cudicini at his unguarded near post for his first Arsenal goal in before limping off injured.

When Grant sent on Juliano Belletti for Ballack, the Chelsea faithful responded in anger by chanting Jose Mourinho’s name.

But they were celebrating in the 73rd minute.

Gallas misjudged Belletti’s long ball to Drogba, possibly just offside, before heading on to Frank Lampard.

The England midfielder’s pass found Drogba and his ferocious finish gave Almunia no chance.

Drogba wasn’t finished yet as Arsenal’s poor defending was punished again in the 82nd minute. Belletti’s cross was flicked on by substitute and former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka to Drogba and he slammed home from close range.

Results:

Played on Sunday:

Chelsea 2 Arsenal 1

Manchester United 3 Liverpool 0

Played on Saturday:

Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 1

Blackburn Rovers 3 Wigan Athletic 1

Bolton Wanderers 0 Manchester City 0

Everton 1 West Ham United 1

Middlesbrough 1 Derby County 0

Newcastle United 2 Fulham 0

Reading 2 Birmingham City 1

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Portsmouth 0

—Agencies