HT Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal: Drogba double keeps Blues on course for top spot

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba continued his fine record against Arsenal with a first-half brace at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues were on course to move back to the top of the Barclays Premier League table after Drogba smashed home a flick from captain John Terry.

The Ivory Coast front man then powered in a second to all but end Arsenal's hopes of getting themselves back in the title race.

John Terry led the Chelsea side for this afternoon's Premier League clash against title rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Terry, stripped of the England captaincy following revelations about his private life, was looking to send his team back to the top of the table after Manchester United's 5-0 demolition of struggling Portsmouth.

John Obi Mikel returned to the Chelsea side for the first time since the African Nations Cup, with Ashley Cole returning at left-back.

Arsenal lost 3-1 at home to United last weekend, but were aiming to move within three points of the Blues with victory this afternoon.

Manager Arsene Wenger made a couple of changes, as fit-again Abou Diaby came into midfield, while England forward Theo Walcott also started.

Veteran former captain Sol Campbell was on the bench.

Terry was, as expected, given a rousing reception from the Stamford Bridge faithful when the teams were announced before kick off.

It did not take the travelling Arsenal fans to taunt Terry, chanting "you're not captain any more" in the direction of the Chelsea centre-back.

Chelsea took the lead on eight minutes with Terry and Didier Drogba - who has tormented Arsenal with 10 goals in his previous nine games - involved.

Terry, given a free header, flicked on a corner towards the far post, where an unmarked Drogba guided the ball into the roof of the net.

Andrey Arshavin fired across goal before the visitors won a corner after a positive run by Gael Clichy - but the delivery from captain Cesc Fabregas was claimed easily by Petr Cech.

On 15 minutes, the Chelsea goalkeeper recovered well to block after Nasri slipped onto a quick pass ahead of the defence, then Fabregas chipped a pass over Ricardo Carvalho and through to Arshavin, but the Russian volleyed straight at Cech from six yards.

Chelsea doubled their lead on the break on 23 minutes, after Frank Lampard charged into the Arsenal half before slipping in Drogba, out on the right.

The Ivory Coast forward cut back inside and held off two challenges before smashing the ball past Manuel Almunia.

To their credit, Arsenal continued to try to take the game to Chelsea, perhaps more in hope than genuine expectation.

Fabregas drilled his shot wide after Alex Song had held the ball up on the edge of the penalty area.

Cole, the former Arsenal trainee, dashed into the penalty box but Walcott forced him wide before Almunia pushed the ball behind.

There appeared to be a coin thrown onto the pitch from the away supporters, the object taken away by fourth official Peter Walton.

Clichy fired wide with an ambitious effort from 30 yards as Chelsea were content to sit back, victory seemingly already secured.

Florent Malouda ghosted into the left side of the Arsenal box, before his low cross was cut out by William Gallas, the former Chelsea defender.

In stoppage time, the Frenchman needed treatment following a clash of heads with Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.