The full-time whistle goes and Chelsea steal an early march on their title rivals Arsenal by taking maximum points thanks to Didier Drogba's fortunate second half strike.

Didier Drogba misses a great chance to add a killer second when he can't lob the ball over Jens Lehmann when through on goal.

Philippe Senderos is the latest Arsenal player to be booked after kicking the ball away following a foul on Didier Drogba.

Ashley Cole is lucky to be only booked after a blatant trip on Michael Essien as he made a break for goal.

Arsenal have plenty of the ball as they search for an equaliser but they are struggling to break through the Chelsea defence.

Mathieu Flamini is brought into the action late on in place of Cesc Fabregas.

Thierry Henry attempts an effort on goal from 25 yards but it does not trouble Petr Cech.

Etame Mayer Lauren is fortunate not to pick up a booking after throwing the ball away when he is adjudged to have handled it.

Chelsea make a break and William Gallas tries his luck from 30 yards but Jens Lehmann saves his effort.

Thierry Henry gets his first shot on target and Petr Cech is forced to push it round the post.

Claude Makelele is the latest player to be booked after dragging Robin van Persie to the ground.

An offside looking Didier Drogba is fortunate as a Paulo Ferreira throughball into the Arsenal area bounces up off his shin and into the net past Jens Lehmann to give Chelsea the lead.

Didier Drogba attempts to play in Shaun Wright-Phillips but the winger is penalised for a foul on Ashley Cole.

Arsenal have enjoyed more possession in the second half so far but it has been a cagey affair with very few clear chances.

Michael Essien finds Shaun Wright-Phillips witha great long ball and his cross in the area to Didier Drogba is cut out by Jens Lehmann.

Robin van Persie puts in a fabulous cross to the back post but is frustrated to see nobody there to get on the end of it.

A double substitution for Chelsea as new signing Michael Essien replaces Eidur Gudjohnsen and Shaun Wright-Phillips replaces Arjen Robben.

Didier Drogba finds himself free in the area but lacks composure and blasts the ball high and wide.

Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie try and thread the ball into the area but over do things and Chelsea get the ball clear.

Ashley Cole finds Thierry Henry with a superb cross-field pass but after controlling the ball the Frenchman blazes it over the bar.

A good spell of pressure for Arsenal ends when Cesc Fabregas shoots well wide of the mark.

Robin van Persie is shown a yellow card for a kick out at Damien Duff while William Gallas is also booked for squaring up to the Arsenal man afterwards.

A scrappy start to the second half as both sets of players get embroiled in a midfield tussle.

Arsenal get the second half underway as the two sides go in search of a crucial winner and an early advantage in the title race.

Jose Mourinho makes a half-time change bringing Didier Drogba on in place of Hernan Crespo.

The referee blows for half-time as Chelsea will reflect on their early missed chances in a pretty even and cautious first 45 minutes.

Robert Pires tries his luck with a 20-yard volley which is just wide of the mark.

Jens Lehmann makes another crucial stop to deny Arjen Robben after he got on the end of a great Frank Lampard cross.

Chelsea impose their best piece of pressure on Arsenal but the visitors defence is holding firm for now.

Both sides are trying to push on and attack but the respective defences are on top at the moment.

More good build up play from Arsenal with Asier del Horno forced to head away a dangerous Robin van Persie cross away from the waiting Robert Pires.

Aleksandr Hleb attempts to spark up an Arsenal attack but Frank Lampard coolly clears up the danger and plays the ball upfield.

Hernan Crespo thinks he has broke clear on goal but he is thwarted by the assistant's flag.

Fredrik Ljungberg is forced out of the play on a stretcher after picking up a knock and he is replaced by Robin van Persie.

Chelsea make another Arjen Robben inspired raid on the Arsenal penalty area but again the Gunners can clear the danger comfortably.

Renato Paulo Ferreira puts a high ball in to the area which Arsenal manage to clear after a less than convincing initial header from Etame Mayer Lauren.

Kolo Toure puts in an important challenge on Hernan Crespo as he threatens to break clear on goal.

John Terry gets on the end of a corner into the area but he can't direct his effort on target and it goes wide.

The patient play almost pays off as Fredrik Ljungberg gets a chance but he fires over the bar from a tight angle.

Arsenal are playing keep ball at the moment impressively passing the ball around the middle of the pitch to each other as they plot an attack.

The match has settled down now after an explosive start to proceedings from Chelsea.

The game is held up for a moment so a streaker can be caught and taken away from the pitch.

Thierry Henry gets Arsenal's first shot in on goal which goes narrowly wide after some good build up play.

Chelsea have made a flying start and go close once again but Fredrik Ljungberg clears Asier del Horno's header off the line .

Chelsea go close to scoring immediately as Jens Lehmann races out to deny Damien Duff who got in behind the defence.

Chelsea kick-off this massive game as last season's champions tackle the runners up Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.