MK Dons 5-1

Independent:

Oscar nets hat-trick and Eden Hazard scores first goal of the season for Blues

MK Dons 1 Chelsea 5

Kevin Garside

Milton Keynes wanted to put on a show and did, hospitable hosts to the end. A first-half hat-trick by Oscar was in fact a poor return from a player who benefited most from the leaden steps of an overawed and overrun opponent.

Chelsea arrived unbeaten in eight matches and on the back of a victory at Arsenal that suggested the woes of the late Jose Mourinho period were behind them. The paucity of the challenge provided by the Championship side warns against making too big a claim on behalf of Guus Hiddink’s team, but in this setting at least, they looked a decent approximation to the unit that won the Premier League nine months ago.

Eden Hazard put on an exhibition in the No 10 shirt, ending an absurd run of 31 games without a Chelsea goal from the penalty spot early in the second half. He won the award himself courtesy of the kind of dart into the box that had been his trademark.

The game was over by then, of course, and might have been in the first 10 minutes such was the scale of the MK Dons implosion. Wisely their manager Karl Robinson chose to highlight the strength of the opposition rather than his own team’s failings. “They were outstanding,” Robinson said. “All week we were talking about them turning a corner, and they have. They showed plenty of class today. We were on a hiding to nothing.

“You want to go toe to toe and you want to beat them, but when you reflect they were just outstanding. I will use this as a learning curve. Some of my players let themselves down a little bit. It would be unfair to name them. Some will come out of it better footballers if they want to learn and take the positives away.”

The positive for Chelsea, if that is what you can call it, is a home draw against Manchester City in the fifth round, described by Hiddink as “a final, a huge game”. At least the interim manager has the club’s headline acts putting in productive shifts.

Hazard lit up the stadium in the opening minutes with a brilliant turn and run through what should have been the heart of the Dons midfield had it not disappeared. A deft ball picked out Oscar’s run down the right and he in turn put it on a plate for Diego Costa.

It was all too easy, which must have disarmed the Spaniard, who struck his shot as if the ball were  already  in the net. David Martin had other ideas in goal, blocking superbly. Next in the  coconut shy was Oscar, who side-footed wide.

Chelsea were still scratching their heads when Rob Hall burst across the halfway line at pace, utterly squaring up John Terry, who was fortunate to escape a booking for the inevitable trip, a snapshot that in microcosm helps explain the news that broke afterwards that there will no contract renewal for the soon to be ex-captain, leader, legend.

Oscar needed three attempts to breach the shredded MK defences, finally, in the 15th minute, forcing the ball home on the stretch past Martin. The giant Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a marauding presence in the middle of the park, should have made it two within a minute, his left foot shot easily gathered by Martin.

As poor as the Dons were defensively, they did not want for ambition going forward and as if to mock the visitors for the chances missed were level within six minutes. A sharp move down the left saw the ball break to captain Dean Lewington, who shifted it square to Darren Potter. Urged on by the crowd, Potter let fly, his shot looping high off Nemanja Matic over the outstretched hand of Thibaut Courtois into the net.

You would have thought shoppers at nearby Ikea and Asda had burst through the gates such was the noise that greeted the goal, maddening for Chelsea but marvellous for the occasion.  The visitors would be ahead again 11 minutes later, blowing two excellent chances via Hazard and Costa before Oscar, picked out neatly by Loftus-Cheek, slid the ball expertly across the diving Martin.

Five minutes before the break Jake Forster-Caskey and Samir Carruthers again reminded Chelsea of the Dons’ ability to raid at pace if not hit the target. Oscar showed them how with a rasping drive to extend the lead a minute before half time.

The match proceeded with all the intensity of a training game for Chelsea in the second half, with Costa, mindful of the busy week ahead, making way for Bertrand Traoré immediately after Hazard got their fourth in the 55th minute. Traoré needed only six minutes to make his mark, smashing in right-footed after being teed up by Hazard, who was then removed with Oscar to allow Pedro and Willian to stretch their legs for 25 minutes.

“We are playing well, scoring goals and enjoying it at the moment,” said Terry. “It would be good now to go on a run. We know what the FA Cup means.”

Hiddink was less concerned with City in the next round than the general upswing in returns. “We have to take into consideration the team we played came from a lower league but we can be happy with that performance,” he said.

“In first 20 minutes we showed ambition to finish it early. The only thing we forgot was to score. I don’t know if this was the best but I like very much the commitment of the team to make it a good  performance. The reaction after conceding was very good.”

Hiddink put loan signing Pato through a light training session on Saturday followed by a second yesterday morning but the need for fresh legs in that part of the pitch has surely receded with the performances of Hazard and Oscar.

“Hazard is coming back after a long absence,” Hiddink added. “He needs the rhythm of the game, which is important.  The players have responded well to the way we are working. There is quality in the team, but also the will to do the very disciplined, tactical work as we demand. That’s benefiting the team. I have said we cannot depend only on the production of Diego Costa, we ask others to contribute.”


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Guardian:

Oscar scores hat-trick in Chelsea rout of sorry MK Dons

MK Dons 1 - 5 Chelsea

Dominic Fifield

In the end even Chelsea’s most scintillating display of a baffling campaign was overshadowed by their captain’s post-match desire to get something off his chest. John Terry’s contribution had gone almost unnoticed here, a first-half booking and some typically robust defending aside, while others dazzled further up the field. He would have his moment afterwards with confirmation he is to leave Chelsea in the summer. Up to then it had been the creative talents who had dazzled.

This was a brutal reminder of the gulf between the top two divisions, even if Chelsea still loiter in 13th in the top flight, with MK Dons swatted aside with ease and Guus Hiddink’s team revelling in the space afforded them by cowed opponents. A proper test awaits in the last 16 when Manchester City visit Stamford Bridge. “That is already a final,” offered the interim manager on the challenge to come. What is encouraging, at least, is that his team have finally come into some form. Nine games unbeaten, they can afford to look to the immediate future with some optimism.

This was an occasion for their forwards, granted space and time to revel, to showcase their talents. Oscar found the level to his liking, the Brazil international running riot to register his first hat-trick for the league champions before the break. There was even reward for Eden Hazard, from the penalty spot, to end a personal goal drought which had extended over 2,358 minutes and 30 matches since the header nodded beyond Julián Speroni to claim the Premier League title in May: a winner from another era.

Chelsea are starting to recall what it is like to be that dominant again. It was their movement which bamboozled their opponents. A defence which has proved porous in the Championship simply could not cope as Chelsea poured through them at will. The brief period when MK Dons enjoyed parity was deceptive, given the sheer number of opportunities they were shipping even then. David Martin performed heroically for a while but it was unfair to expect that excellence to be maintained.

Eventually Chelsea would find their range and, as it was, Oscar still departed at the break having claimed the match ball with all prospect of a shock having long since dissipated. The rat-a-tat of chances had the home centre-halves wheezing. Martin saved wonderfully well from Diego Costa inside the opening four minutes, pushing away the striker’s close-range shot after Hazard and Oscar had combined to liberate the striker just outside the six-yard box. That combination play became a recurring theme, busy players galloping into space with the home ranks outnumbered, outpaced and simply dizzied by it all. “We could have been 4-0 down after five minutes,” said the Dons’ manager, Karl Robinson. “The only lesson I’ll learn from this is don’t win in the third round. We were carved up far too easily. It was scary.”

Oscar twice poked just wide when it seemed easier to score, on each occasion the Brazilian’s body shape a little awkward as he struck his attempt, though it mattered little while the opportunities kept coming. All three of his goals came gift-wrapped, the Dons’ indecision contributing to the third – the most eye-catching of his three – which was emphatically dispatched into the corner beyond a shell-shocked Martin with no hint of a defensive block after the Brazilian had skipped infield across the edge of the penalty box.

Kyle McFadzean suffered at the first two concessions. The centre-half had collected a throw-in on 15 minutes and attempted a blind pass infield, only to dribble the ball straight to a rampaging Costa. The striker charged into the area and drew the goalkeeper before squaring for Oscar to score past Joe Walsh on the line. Ruben Loftus-Cheek provided the visitors’ second, sliding a pass through the centre for Oscar to collect before McFadzean was aware of his presence, the finish crisply clipped into the far corner from an unkind angle.

Throw in a wonderful save from Martin to turn Hazard’s attempt on to the woodwork and Costa glancing Baba Rahman’s centre wide with Oscar perfectly positioned at his side to tap into an unguarded net and it was hard to fathom how, albeit only for a brief interlude, the Dons had once threatened a revival.

Encouraged by Rob Hall’s early dash to the edge of the Chelsea penalty area they sensed some vulnerability in the Premier League side’s ranks which Darren Potter, courtesy of a deflection from Nemanja Matic’s block, had exploited to put the home side level. Yet that was their high point, a brief riposte amid incessant pressure. Hazard’s dart into the box induced a foul from Potter early in the second period, the Belgian picking himself up to score from the penalty spot. He was soon skipping unchecked to the byline once again and pulling the ball back for the substitute, Bertrand Traoré, to sidefoot in his first Chelsea goal.

Costa, who had made way for the youngster, was busy signing autographs and taking selfies with the supporters behind the dugout by that stage. It was that kind of stroll.

Man of the match Oscar (Chelsea).


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Telegraph:

MK Dons 1 Chelsea 5

Oscar plays a starring role as revitalised Chelsea put MK to the sword
Oscar scored his first hat-trick for Chelsea and even Eden Hazard got on the scoresheet, as Chelsea cruise through

Jason Burt

Oscar was the leading man, with a first-half hat-trick, and there was a cameo from Eden Hazard whoscored his first goal since May 3 (31 games; 3,358 minutes of football in what is an incredibly statistic for such a player) as Chelsea swept MK Dons aside to reach the last 16 of the FA Cup. There was also a first goal for striker Bertrand Traore.

It was rip-roaring cup-tie – and MK Dons, were ripped apart. It was too much for the team 20th in the Championship. They were attacking but far too open. They conceded three in the first period. It could have been six, seven, eight goals and justifiably so. MK Dons were woeful down the right of their defence and Chelsea exposed it ruthlessly.

The onslaught began from the kick-off as caretaker manager Guus Hiddink selected a formidably strong team – a real show of intent, tinkering only with Baba Rahman at left-back and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the number 10 role behind Diego Costa. And it was Costa who spurned the first opportunity. It came from a brilliant sharp turn by Hazard, on his first start for a month, who slid the ball through to Oscar. He squared it to Costa who appeared certain to side-foot into the net only for goalkeerp David Martin to parry superbly.

Then Hazard teed up Oscar who, off-balance, side-footed wide before, from a corner, the ball eventually dropped to Branislav Ivanovic. His turn was sharp but his low shot was blocked by Martin with an outstretched boot.
Chelsea broke again. Once more an opportunity fell to Oscar, again picked out by Hazard, after Costa’s shot from a chest down was blocked, but again he shot wide.

Finally Costa pounced, taking advantage of Kyle McFadzean’s woeful back-pass, following a throw-in, which left Martin stranded. The striker cut in from the corner of the penalty area to roll the low for Oscar to, on the slide, send it into the net from inside the six-yard area. Chelsea broke again with Hazard sending the ball into Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s path but his first-time shot was held by Martin.

MK Dons were being over-run but then received a slice of fortune to draw level. It came as Cesc Fabregas lost the ball under pressure from Dean Lewington and it ran to Darren Potter whose shot, from the area’s edge, took a huge deflection off Nemanja Matic and looped high into the air and over Thibaut Courtois. It was Potter’s first goal of the season. A lucky strike.

So somehow, despite the onslaught, MK Dons were level. But Chelsea were relentless. They should have restored their lead with Hazard sent clear only for Martin to block - with the ball then ricocheting off the post and into the goalkeeper’s arms. Then, incredibly, Rahman’s cross was met by Costa at full-stretch but the ball skimmed wide. If the striker had left it then Oscar would have scored his second.

The Brazilian soon did, though. After the half-hour Loftus-Cheek picked out another intelligent break by Oscar down the right and he steered his powerful shot across Martin and into the net. Oscar, who had forced another save from Martin and then sent a low effort wide, ran in from the left, evading three challenges and striking another fierce, bending his shot that tore past the goalkeeper and into the corner to score his third.

In a rare break-out Sami Carruthers and Jake Forster-Caskey combined for the latter to shoot from 25 yards, the ball just clearing the bar as it was covered by Courtois but there did not seem any way back for the Championship side. Tactically they had got it wrong. Chelsea had exploited that and had they been more ruthless the score-line would have been an embarrassment.

Not that Chelsea relented. A clumsy challenge by Potter caught Hazard on the back of his leg and referee Jonathan Moss pointed to the penalty spot. After a deliberation the ball was handed to Hazard who calmly stroked the spot-kick into the net, acknowledging the Chelsea fans in relief. Hs wait was over as he collected his 50th goal for Chelsea after such a long, long wait.

There was a moment of resistance when a shot from Rob Hall was tipped over, and a penalty appeal waved away, before Chelsea broke and Hazard chasing the ball down to the byline, pulling it back for the onrushing substitute Traore who drove it home from close-range.

There were more openings for Chelsea, several of them, before Courtois denied MK Dons substitute Daniel Powell, diverting his low shot with his legs. It remained emphatically Chelsea’s tie.


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Mail:

MK Dons 1-5 Chelsea:

Oscar nets hat-trick and Eden Hazard finally breaks his duck as Blues run riot in one-sided FA Cup clash

By MATT BARLOW

And the award for leading performer in the most one-sided tie of the FA Cup fourth round weekend went to Oscar.
Well, it is the season for it. Nearly. And Milton Keynes did have the red carpet out.
Unfortunately for a record football crowd of more than 28,000 at the stadium:mk it had been rolled straight through the centre of their own defence.
Chelsea did not waste the invitation. They had 19 attempts at goal inside the first hour and finished with five.

Having produced such an abysmal title defence, Guus Hiddink has fixed the minds of his players firmly on winning the FA Cup.
They breezed into the last 16, where they have the small matter of a clash with Manchester City.
But confidence is growing and John Terry - having confirmed his Chelsea career will end later this year - would love to lift the famous trophy for a sixth time, at Wembley, in May.
Oscar scored three in 29 minutes before the interval as MK Dons were swatted aside, Eden Hazard ended a nine-month goal drought with a second-half penalty and Bertrand Traore came off the bench to score his first for Chelsea.

Darren Potter equalised at 1-1 but the final outcome was never in question.
There would be no repeat of last season's giant-killing when Manchester United lost 4-0 in Milton Keynes in the Capital One Cup.
Unlike United, Chelsea were at full-strength and bristling with purpose. Unlike the United game, MK Dons were flimsy, low on confidence and prone to over-elaborate in defensive areas.

Karl Robinson is proud of the club's footballing philosophy but this game was too open from the outset, and his team unable to resist.
The score would have been more sobering but for some wayward finishing, the splendid form of goalkeeper David Martin, especially in the first-half, and Chelsea's decision to drop a gear after the interval.

The most eye-catching of Martin's catalogue of early saves frustrated Hazard, but his first of the game was a fabulous reaction stop to deny Diego Costa from point-blank range, in the third minute.
Oscar sliced wide when a risky pass into midfield by centre-half Kyle McFadzean was cut out, and missed the target with another clear chance, before finding the net with a quarter of an hour gone.
Again, it was an error by McFadzean, a pass intended for his own goalkeeper was terribly under-hit and collected by Costa, who cut the ball past Martin to present Oscar with an open goal.
Even at this point, it felt ominous. The champions were too strong and unzipped MK Dons at will.

'It was scary,' said Robinson. 'I've not had that before. They were on it. They were quality all over the pitch. One or two of mine let themselves down but that's the reality of the industry.
'We got carved up far too easy. But there's some stuff we can take away from here and work on.'
Robinson's team were ambitious going forward. There were flickers of promise before they levelled with the help of a huge deflection. Potter took aim from 25 yards and his effort hit Nemanja Matic and spun over Thibaut Courtois.

Most of the traffic, however, was heading in the other direction.
Oscar was soon celebrating his second, a flashing drive, struck first-time, fizzed across the 'keeper and inside the far post following a run and pass from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was deployed in the No.10 role.

His hat-trick was completed just before the break. This time, it was all his own work. Oscar picked up possession on the Chelsea left, dribbled inside, across the edge of the penalty area and curled a right-footer into the top corner.
Costa scooped the ball from the net and handed it to him. It was Oscar's first hat-trick for the club. The contest was over, and the scene was set for Hazard to end his long wait for a Chelsea goal.

The Belgian winger, last season's Footballer of the Year, ought to have found the net in the first-half. He was clean through, but Martin made a brilliant save, pushing his shot onto the post and reacting quickly to smother the rebound.
Ten minutes into the second-half, Hazard was tripped into the penalty area by Potter. As Potter disputed the decision, Chelsea skipper Terry strode forth and convinced Oscar, the nominated taker, to let Hazard have a go.

He had not scored since April, the goal against Crystal Palace which clinched the title, which also came via the penalty spot, although he missed that one and headed in the rebound.
This time, Hazard fooled the goalkeeper. Martin dropped to one side and the ball went the other way. Chelsea fans sang Hazard's name and he turned to salute them and gave his badge a kiss, by way of thanks for their support and patience. He had played more than 39 hours of football without a goal.

'It's good for him to score,' said Hiddink. 'He's coming back after a long absence and he needs the rhythm of these games. He played more than an hour and that's a help for the upcoming games.'
Hazard set up Traore for the fifth with a low cross from the left, and it was neatly finished by the 20-year-old.
Chelsea are nine unbeaten since Jose Mourinho's exit in December.
'The players have responded very well,' said Hiddink. 'It was important to get some results. They were draws in the beginning and the standard of this club means we need more than draws.
'But we had to find security first, and now we are moving into the areas of victories. There is quality in this team.'

PLAYER RATINGS by Kieran Gill

MK DONS (4-2-3-1): Martin 5.5; Spence 5, McFadzean 4.5, Walsh 5, Lewington 5; Potter 5.5, Forster-Caskey 5; Carruthers 6 (Powell 82mins), Hall 6, Murphy 5 (Williams 6, 67); Bowditch 5.5 (Maynard 76)
Subs not used: Cropper, Hodson, Kay, Church
Scorers: Potter (21)
Booked: Walsh, Spence
Manager: Karl Robinson 5.5

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Courtois 6.5; Ivanovic 6.5, Cahill 7, Terry 7, Rahman 6; Matic 7, Fabregas 6.5; Oscar 9 (Pedro 6, 63), Loftus-Cheek 7.5, Hazard 8 (Willian 6, 63); Costa 7 (Traore 7, 63)
Subs not used: Begovic, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Mikel
Scorers: Oscar (15, 32, 44), Hazard (55), Traore (62)
Booked: Terry
Manager: Guus Hiddink 8
Referee: Jonathan Moss 6
Attendance: 28,127
MOTM: Oscar


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Mirror:

MK Dons 1-5 Chelsea: Oscar hat-trick sends the Blues into FA Cup fifth round - 5 things we learned

BY ADRIAN KAJUMBA

Brazilian playmaker Oscar netted a first half hat-trick as the Premier League champions dominated the FA Cup clash

Chelsea cruised into the FA Cup fifth round with an easy win at MK Dons.

Oscar scored a hat-trick and Eden Hazard and Bertrand Traore were also on target as the Blues stormed through against their Championship hosts.

Chelsea missed a host of chances before Oscar finally converted Diego Costa's pass to make it 1-0 in the 15th minute.

Darren Potter responded with a deflected strike to bring MK Dons level but Oscar scored twice more before the break to complete his treble.

Hazard finally scored his first goal of the season from the spot in the 55th minute before the Belgian teed up Traore to open his account for Chelsea.


1. Chelsea not taking any chances

Chelsea's senior stars hoping for the odd rest here and there between now and the end of the season might have to wait. Their poor league form has placed even more importance on the remaining competitions and they can't afford to take any risks.

That much was clear again in the strong line-up Guus Hiddink picked to face the Championship strugglers. Chelsea have a host of hugely promising youngsters hoping for appearances in games like this but it simply doesn't look like that is going to happen this season with Hiddink's tasked with saving their season.


2. What's happened to Nemanja Matic?

What has happened to Nemanja Matic? He was once a powerhouse midfielder who could destroy everything in his path, was the Premier League's best holding midfielder and announced himself by outshining Yaya Toure on his Chelsea league debut in a titanic battle at the Etihad.

At MK Dons, he made a half-hearted attempt to block Darren Potter's speculative effort and only ended up deflecting the ball into his own net. It was another sign of his fall.


3. David Martin impressed, despite conceding five

MK Dons keeper David Martin was a big reason Chelsea were limited to three first-half goals. The FA Cup can be an opportunity for players from sides lower down the leagues and football pyramid to put themselves in the shop window. Martin grabbed that opportunity with a number of top saves before even he could no longer keep them at bay.

One to deny Diego Costa inside the first five minutes from point blank range was exceptional.


4. Eden Hazard's drought is finally over

At last, the drought is over. And how badly Eden Hazard needed that goal. It may have just been a penalty and the fourth goal in an easy cup win against Championship opposition but you could see how much Hazard's first goal of the season meant to him and his teammates.

Having missed a couple of spot-kicks this season, and a first-half one-on-one, he seemed to need convincing to take this one. Once he did and dispatched it – to finally claim his 50th Chelsea goal – all 10 outfield players rushed to congratulate him while Hazard turned to blow kisses towards and salute the Blues fans. It seemed like a release of emotion and huge weight off his shoulders.


5. Bertrand Traore lives up to hype

There has been a lot of fuss over Bertrand Traore, with the Burkino Faso youngster at the centre of a FIFA probe that could land Chelsea with a transfer ban. His name has also been on Guus Hiddink's lips.

The Chelsea interim boss reckons the versatile forward is a genuine option up front for Chelsea if they find themselves short up top.

He showed the sort of finishing ability that has caught Hiddink's eye with a clinical strike when he scored his first Chelsea goal from Eden Hazard's cutback to make it 5-1.


MK Dons
MARTIN 8

With defence AWOL Martin produced heroics to keep score down.

SPENCE 5

Had a torrid time chasing Hazard. Never got near him.

MCFADZEAN 4

Error led to opener and continued to look nervous.

WALSH 5

Another who had a tough day as Chelsea swarmed over the hosts.

LEWINGTON 7

Dons' best defender and his experience showed at times.

POTTER 6

Gave hosts hope with deflected goal but also conceded penalty.

FORSTER-CASKEY 5

Had couple of goal attempts but repeatedly failed to track back.

MURPHY 5

Got no change out of an improved Branislav Ivanovic.

CARRUTHERS 5

Some promising moments but too often made wrong final choice.

HALL 7

MK Dons' brightest spark. Caused Chelsea problems with his pace.

BOWDITCH 4

Hardly got a kick up front against Terry or Cahill.

SUBS:

Williams (for Murphy 67) 5

Maynard (for Bowditch 76) 5

Powell (for Carruthers 82) 6

Chelsea
COURTOIS 7

Unlucky for goal but number of decent saves too.

IVANOVIC 7

Solid, reliable and no nonsense. Like the old Ivanovic.

CAHILL 7

Returned to side with trademark display of key tackles and blocks.

TERRY 7

Troubled by pace a couple of times but otherwise a cruise.

BABA 6

Got forward but didn't make most of his crossing chances.

MATIC 6

Didn't cover himself in glory with his attempt to block equaliser.

FABREGAS 7

Sat deep and dictated play. A stroll for the Spaniard.

OSCAR MOTM 9

Two bad misses but responded with a brilliant hat-trick.

LOFTUS-CHEEK 7

Confident, energetic display. Set up second with run and pass from midfield.

HAZARD 7

Full of running on first start for a month and finally scored.

COSTA 6

Missed two sitters but still made an impact, setting up opener.

SUBS:

Traore (for Costa 57) 7

Willian (for Oscar 64) 5

Pedro (for Hazard 64) 5


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Express:

MK Dons 1 - Chelsea 5: Oscar stars for rampant Blues in easy FA Cup win

IT TAKES some ceremony to outshine the Oscars but Eden Hazard’s first goal of the season and his celebration in front of Chelsea’s fans managed it in Milton Keynes.

By TONY BANKS


So too though did John Terry’s announcement after the game that his contract is not being renewed and he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Oscar might have grabbed a hat-trick inside 44 minutes in the land of the concrete cows, but it was Hazard’s penalty which made it a perfect day for Guus Hiddink, who seems to love the FA Cup.

This was as straightforward as it could have been for Chelsea, as they registered their eighth game unbeaten under interim manager Hiddink.

Chelsea won the cup under the Dutchman the last time he took the reigns in 2009 but now of course they will face a much tougher task against Manchester City in the fifth round.

Hiddink said: “It was a good night for Eden. He has had a difficult time with injuries. We have a hierarchy for penalties and Oscar is at the top, but the players gave Eden this penalty kick.

“It’s good for him to score. He’s coming back now after a long absence and he needs the rhythm of these games. We have told the players that it is important that we do not just depend upon Diego Costa. The other players have to produce as well, which they can. We have been emphasising this in training. We don’t want to be dependent just on Diego.”

Milton Keynes Dons, struggling in the Championship, could have been an awkward problem for a Chelsea side still vulnerable at times this season. But Karl Robinson’s team were way too open right from the start to provide any meaningful challenge.

In fact, Oscar could have had five goals in the first half alone as Chelsea carved great holes in the Dons’ defence. As Costa missed a second-minute sitter and then took an open goal off Oscar’s toe, it almost became comical.

But Oscar has been a revelation since the departure of Jose Mourinho, the 24 year old playing as though a great weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

Hazard was back for his first game in almost a month, warned by Hiddink that he wants some of the form that helped Chelsea win the title last year – and right away the Belgian set up a move that saw Costa foiled by goalkeeper David Martin from eight yards.

Oscar missed two more chances but then Kyle McFadzean’s terrible back pass finally opened the gates, as Costa pounced on to it and squared it for Oscar to tap home.

There was only one real glimpse of hope for Milton Keynes and it came after 20 minutes, when Cesc Fabregas lost the ball to Deam Lewington and he fed Darren Potter, whose 30-yard shot took a wicked deflection off Nemanja Matic and looped into the top corner for a shock equaliser.

There were always likely to be goals at the other end though, Martin forcing Hazard’s shot on to a post but then Ruben Loftus-Cheek put Oscar clear again and this time the Brazilian turned to hook the ball into the far corner.

Oscar now really had the bit between his teeth and seemed out to win the game on his own. He cut in from the right, weaved across the box and rifled a great shot past Martin for a glorious strike. It was Chelsea’s first-half hat-trick since September 2014.

When Potter brought down Hazard 10 minutes after the break, the Belgian’s penalty was as cool as you like for a player who had not found the net once in club colours this season – rolling the ball low to Martin’s right.

By his point, Chelsea were strolling. And when Hazard galloped on to a long ball over the top from from Fabregas, he simply rolled the ball back and substitute Bertrand Traore rolled his shot home for the fifth.

Dons Manager Karl Robinson said: “It was scary. They were on it. They were quality all over the pitch. I think one or two of mine let themselves down today but that’s the reality of the industry.”

MK Dons (4-2-3-1): Martin; Spence, McFadzean, Walsh, Lewington; Potter, Forster-Caskey; Carruthers (Powell 81), Hall, Murphy (Williams 67); Bowditch (Maynard 76). Booked: Walsh, Spence. Goal: Potter 20.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Baba; Matic, Fabregas; Oscar (Pedro 63), Loftus-Cheek, Hazard (Willian 63); Diego Costa (Traore 57). Booked: Terry. Goals: Oscar 16, 31, 44. Hazard 55pen, Traore 62.

Referee: J Moss (West Yorkshire).

Arsenal 1-0

Independent:

Diego Costa returns to haunt Gunners as Per Mertesacker sees red
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 1
Mark Ogden Emirates Stadium


It just had to be Diego Costa, the pantomime villain who has spent most of the season sulking and under-performing, who delivered the blow which reawakened all of Arsenal’s self-doubt and exposed their shortcomings as potential champions.

Just when Arsenal had the opportunity to bury their Chelsea ghost, to put the belligerent bullies from Stamford Bridge well and truly in their place, they fell short.

Arsenal lost having played the game with 10 men for over 70 minutes following Per Mertesacker’s dismissal for fouling Costa.

But then Arsène Wenger’s reaction to Mertesacker’s red card, by withdrawing Olivier Giroud and persisting with the hopelessly off-form Mesut Özil for 90 minutes, contributed to his team’s defeat. It was as though the sight of Chelsea’s blue shirts had affected Wenger’s thinking and Arsenal’s self-belief.

The end result was the defeat which keeps Leicester City on top of the table and left Arsenal with just two points from a possible nine. Still, Chelsea played like champions once again and if Arsenal can take anything from this result it is the reality that the best, regardless of their form or position, rise to the occasion when it matters.

The previous tensions between the two teams ensured that this encounter was never likely to pass off quietly. Chelsea’s long-held dominance of this fixture –  they are unbeaten against Arsenal in the Premier League since October 2011 – ensured Guus Hiddink’s players would fight tooth and nail, regardless of their mid-table position.

Jose Mourinho may have vacated the scene and taken his own particular brand of poison with him. But the bad blood from last September’s clash, when Arsenal ended the game with nine men after the dismissals of Gabriel and Santi Cazorla, has not dissipated with Mourinho’s departure and scores were clearly still to be settled. Throw in the relentless booing of Cesc Fabregas by the Arsenal supporters who once adored the Spaniard and the potency of the cocktail was not in doubt.

It was simply a case of which group of players could handle it better without allowing it to blow up in their faces and, from a very early stage, it was evident that those players were wearing blue.

To say Chelsea have failed to perform this season is something of an understatement, but there was a mood of bloody-minded defiance as they set about denying Arsenal the victory which would return them to the top of the league. The message from Chelsea was clear: if you are going to take our crown, you are going to have to earn it.

Costa, who was given a three-match retrospective suspension by the Football Association as a result of an off-the-ball spat with Laurent Koscielny at Stamford Bridge, was the most determined of Chelsea’s players in terms of defending his honour and he went toe to toe with Koscielny from the off in an effort to impose himself on the French defender. Koscielny gave as good as he got, but the usually measured Arsenal centre-half allowed Costa to draw him into a physical battle, so the Chelsea man had instantly achieved his primary aim.

The tackles flew in – Koscielny on Costa, Mathieu Flamini on Cesar Azpilicueta, Oscar on Joel Campbell – but Chelsea were enjoying it more than Wenger’s players.

And once the dust settled on the physical point-scoring, Chelsea gained control of the game, with Fabregas afforded acres of space in the middle third and Willian enjoying the freedom of Arsenal’s left flank thanks to the inability of Theo Walcott and Nacho Monreal to work together to nullify the Brazilian’s threat.

It was Willian’s pace and vision which led to the key moment of the game, when his through ball to Costa released the forward, only for Mertesacker to bring him down clumsily.

Eighteen minutes into the game, referee Mark Clattenburg had no option but to brandish a red card to the German, whose lack of pace was cruelly exposed by Costa before his trailing leg sent him tumbling to the ground.

Costa again. He is a  grade-A pest, a nightmare to play against, but he had got under Arsenal’s skin once more and the ramifications of Mertesacker’s dismissal were borne out moments later when Wenger chose to substitute Giroud in order for Gabriel to plug the hole alongside Koscielny at the back. It was a bewildering decision. Giroud, in goalscoring form, would have given Arsenal a  physical presence to shield the ball and alleviate the pressure, yet Wenger instead placed Walcott up front before asking Özil to play the role.

John Terry and Kurt Zouma must have shaken their heads in disbelief, especially when Özil plodded into the position, looking like a little boy lost. And if Gabriel had been sent on to keep Costa quiet, that move backfired too for Wenger, the centre-half losing the Chelsea striker for the crucial split-second as he raced to the near post to volley Branislav Ivanovic’s cross past Petr Cech to make it 1-0.

Arsenal’s mountain had just grown considerably and Chelsea’s supporters gleefully rubbed it in, chanting, “Diego Costa, he’s done you again”.

Now was the time for the response of champions, the gutsy fightback to hammer home Arsenal’s credentials, but with an extra man Chelsea were simply too streetwise and they could have extended their lead when Cech saved brilliantly from Costa at the near post on 42 minutes.

Had Giroud remained on the pitch, Arsenal might have scored themselves three minutes later, but a perfect delivery from Aaron Ramsey was inexplicably directed over by Flamini’s kung-fu kick volley, when a header was the obvious option.

Arsenal attempted to salvage the game in the second half and the 57th-minute introduction of Alexis Sanchez injected more urgency and ambition. But they were only spared the prospect of going 2-0 down when Clattenburg dismissed Chelsea appeals for a penalty after Koscielny had barged Fabregas to the ground. It was reckless challenge, but Koscielny got lucky.

The same could not be said of Arsenal, though, who huffed and puffed until the final whistle without ever truly threatening to score.

Three games without a win now. Is this the annual wobble or a minor bump in the road? It is a question that they really did not want to face at the Emirates.


==================


Guardian:

Chelsea’s Diego Costa wounds Arsenal after Per Mertesacker’s red card

Arsenal 0 - 1 Chelsea

David Hytner at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal have made a series of statements this season, as Arsène Wenger plods the long distance towards the ultimate vindication, such as beating both of the Manchester clubs at the Emirates Stadium and even getting a point at Stoke City. Some things, however, never seem to change.

Chelsea remain their nemesis, even without José Mourinho as their manager, winding them up and, well, beating them, and it was another character who they have come to loathe that was the match-winner here.

Diego Costa was involved in a red-card flashpoint – as he was in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Arsenal in September – but this time, there could be no recriminations. The striker was simply too fast for Per Mertesacker in the 18th minute and, when the Arsenal defender slid in and got none of the ball, there was an inevitability about his dismissal for a last-man foul.

Costa promptly showed the clinical side to his game in front of goal, when he pounced to meet Branislav Ivanovic’s cross and steered a shot beyond Petr Cech. He is back in business after his toils during the Mourinho implosion, with a sixth goal in six matches under the interim manager, Guus Hiddink.

It set Chelsea on their way to a sixth win over Arsenal in nine meetings, excluding the Community Shield – the other three have been drawn – and Hiddink’s only criticism of his players could be that they failed to find the killer second goal. Cesc Fàbregas was outstanding, setting the tempo in midfield and impressing with his poise and vision while Willian was also dangerous.

Arsenal’s regrets centred upon the red card and Wenger blustered about the decision from the referee, Mark Clattenburg, as having been “quick and harsh”. Yet he was simply angry that his team had been forced to confront such streetwise opponents with 10 men for so long. It made for what he suggested were exceptional circumstances and deepened the sense of regret.


Wenger felt that Chelsea might have been there for the taking had his team retained 11 players but the visitors were comfortable even before Mertesacker’s dismissal, with Oscar and Willian working Cech. Arsenal could point to a miscued volley from Joel Campbell and a half-chance for Mathieu Flamini, which went begging, before Mertesacker stretched into the challenge that would shape the game.

He never looked like getting to the ball first, following Willian’s probing pass for Costa on the counterattack and, in what felt like the blink of an eye, the Chelsea striker had tumbled into a series of exaggerated rolls and everybody inside the stadium knew what was coming next.

Costa took five minutes to salt the wound. Wenger had made the decision to sacrifice Olivier Giroud for Gabriel Paulista – the replacement defender that he needed – and, if the Emirates crowd did not like the substitution, Giroud was even less happy. The striker gestured with his outstretched arms and initially dragged his heels as he made his way off, until Flamini came across to chivvy him along. Mertesacker and Giroud would be spotted in their club suits behind the Arsenal bench during the second half.

Gabriel versus Costa rekindled memories of the clash at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, in which the former had been sent off for a little dig at the latter; Costa’s reaction that day had sealed the deal.

Gabriel was not up to the pace of the game when Ivanovic drove over a cross and how Costa made him pay. Tip-toeing in front of him, Costa touched home at the near post before pointing out the name on the back of his shirt to the Arsenal supporters.

Chelsea might have been further in front by the interval only for Cech to save from Costa at the near post and Nacho Monreal to clear off the line from Ivanovic’s header. And yet they could, equally, have been level. Following Aaron Ramsey’s smart dink over the top, Flamini – all alone 10 yards out – flew at the chance like Hong Kong Phooey out of a filing cabinet. To loud groans, he lifted his flying kick over the crossbar.

Fàbregas has been referred to as a rat and a snake during what has been a trying season and his every touch was booed by the fans of his former club. But he responded in fine style and he might have had a penalty on 56 minutes when Laurent Koscielny checked him inside the area. Clattenburg was unmoved.

Costa played the pantomime villain to the last. He had gone down in need of treatment for a slight knee injury, to the scorn of the home support, when his number went up and Loïc Rémy prepared to replace him. Costa had the treatment, got up and walked off at low speed. He would raise his hands to applaud the Arsenal crowd before strolling away down the tunnel.

Wenger played his trump card with the introduction of Alexis Sánchez on 57 minutes for his first football since 29 November and a hamstring tear, and the forward made a difference. But it was not enough of one. He had Arsenal’s one flicker of a chance in the second half following a scramble only to swing and miss his kick. The full-time whistle brought several Arsenal players to their knees. They know all about losing to Chelsea but this one cut them to the core.

Man of the match Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea)


===============


Telegraph:

Arsenal 0 Chelsea 1
Per Mertesacker is sent off before Diego Costa scores winner at Emirates Stadium
Arsène Wenger's side are defeated by first-half goal from Diego Costa

Jason Burt

The sight of Petr Cech lifting three Arsenal players – Laurent ­Koscielny, Gabriel and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – off the turf after the final whistle summed it up. This was an encounter when Arsenal were floored; a damaging defeat and a real test of their character to see how they respond.

It was one of those games to which they are prone, also; one of those games when things conspired against them, when the wheels buckled beneath them, and just as they are on the brink of making an emphatic statement it is, cruelly, they who suffer the psychological blowout.

It will have hurt even more that it was Chelsea and Diego Costa who inflicted it. The striker has become Arsenal’s new nemesis, taking up the mantle from Didier Drogba who bullied and terrorised his way to 15 goals in 15 games against Arsenal. A consolation? At least Jose Mourinho was not sitting in the opposition dug-out.

It was not the only con­solation. Arsenal are emphatically in this title race, just three points behind Leicester City, and they kept going despite being reduced to 10 men in the 18th minute. They welcomed back Alexis Sánchez from injury and Francis Coquelin has returned to training and will soon be ready to replace the far less disciplined Mathieu Flamini who was given the runaround by his friend Cesc Fabregas and also missed Arsenal’s three best chances. It was that kind of game.

It is just eight points from 18 for Arsenal and, although that does not look good, if this is their wobble it is not causing too much damage. Yet. But how they could have done with not losing this one as it is a result that re-opened wounds Arsène Wenger will not want to re-visit.

The statistics are bad. It is nine matches now since Arsenal beat Chelsea in the league; it is six matches since they even scored a goal against them. And Per Mertesacker’s red card was the fourth they have suffered in five matches against Chelsea.

It was a dismissal that provoked debate but looked the right call by referee Mark Clattenburg. Yes, Costa rolled and rolled and rolled but Mertesacker impeded his run, he denied a goal-scoring opportunity and he could have no complaints.

The Arsenal captain was exposed. Except for this game he was not the Arsenal captain with the armband passing to Theo Walcott who is celebrating 10 years at the club. But was it an occasion to do that? It may have made no difference but it did not look professional. Mertesacker’s foul was. He was caught out and paid the price – and the central defender knew it.

Costa’s run was clever but so was Willian’s through ball – after the impressive midfielder had burst forward, riding Nacho Monreal’s tackle – to pick out the striker who had smartly pulled away from Koscielny to the slower Mertesacker.

Quite why Mertesacker then glanced across to the assistant referee Simon Beck before making the challenge was unfathomable. He hoped for offside, of course, maybe he hoped Koscielny was closer, but he lost a split second – and that mattered – and then had to lunge. Costa went over; Mertesacker went off.
here became even more febrile. But the cool heads were in Chelsea shirts. This was a game when John Terry was imperious, Fabregas incisive, Costa irrepressible. There was industry and aggression from Willian and Oscar and a nod of approval from caretaker manager Guus Hiddink whose only complaint was that Chelsea did not kill it with a second goal.

But that is also a reflection of where they are right now. If Chelsea had lost this game they would have lurched towards a fresh crisis; a bout of introspection and anxiety over the prospect of relegation. Instead, once more, they felt emboldened to talk about climbing the table with Terry pushing the envelope by mentioning a tilt at the top four. What a difference one game can make.

In fairness this was probably Chelsea’s best performance of the season after two indifferent home displays that followed their previous best performance of the season away to Crystal Palace. Their recovery remains a slow burner but the flame is flickering.

Hiddink’s emollient approach, with a bit of urbane spikiness also, is certainly coaxing more out of Costa. His goal capped a mad five‑minute period with Mertesacker’s sending off and then Wenger reacting by bringing on Gabriel. That made sense – he needed another centre-half – but he sacrificed Olivier Giroud. The striker was astonished while the Arsenal fans were angry.

If Wenger’s decision was tactically logical – down to 10-men he knew his team would have to play more on the counter and he wanted to use Walcott’s pace – it nevertheless sent out the wrong message. It spoke of damage limitation.

There was also the problem of Gabriel who had been dismissed in the reverse fixture earlier this season after being provoked by Costa and the Brazilian did not appear to know how to react this time round.

Instead, he failed to react. As did Koscielny. It came as Nemanja Matic’s cross was allowed to bounce the length of the penalty area to be collected on the other flank by Branislav Ivanovic who whipped the ball in towards the near post. There was Costa to tuck a close-range shot past Cech. It was Costa’s fifth goal in five games – after scoring three in his previous 14 – and Cech then denied him with a fine save, having also beaten out a Willian shot, before Monreal cleared Ivanovic’s header off the line and Koscielny was fortunate not to concede a penalty as he body-checked Fabregas.

For Arsenal, Flamini slipped when given a sight of goal and then volleyed over. Twice the ball pin-ponged around the Chelsea area with, again, Flamini failing to make sufficient contact. Hiddink inflicted the heaviest defeat – 4-1 – Arsenal have endured at the Emirates Stadium during his first spell at Chelsea in 2009. The question is: has he now inflicted the most damaging?


==============


Mail:

Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea: Diego Costa makes Per Mertesacker pay for early dismissal by scoring winner five minutes after red card

By MARTIN SAMUEL FOR THE DAILY MAIL

As he made his way with impudent sloth to the touchline, derision filled the evening air. Boos and catcalls, familiar gestures of anger and impotent rage.

And then the response from the blue corner. ‘Diego Costa — he’s done it again,’ the Chelsea end crowed. And he had. Drawn the red card. Again. Got the goal. Again. Got right up Arsenal’s hooter. Again. It was just like old times.

The result was a traditional one, also. A Chelsea win. These teams have met 27 times competitively in 12 seasons and this was Chelsea’s 16th victory, with seven draws. The last 12 goals, in league fixtures, have belonged to Chelsea too, and it is five years since Arsenal beat them at home.

Do Arsenal have the nerve to win the title this season? Maybe. But they don’t appear to have the steel required to see off Chelsea.

They behave uncommonly around those blue shirts, too. They get sent off, they dry up. The game was almost over before Arsenal mustered a shot on target and even then it was the result of a goalmouth scramble rather than any precision manoeuvre from the training ground.

Not many teams will drop six points to Chelsea this season, but Arsenal are the first.
And while they may curse bad luck and Costa’s dark side for the defeat at Stamford Bridge, the buck stops with the home team here. Per Mertesacker made a dreadful decision leading to his dismissal, which handed the advantage to Chelsea. His replacement Gabriel failed to pick up Costa for the goal and the architects of Arsenal’s season such as Mesut Ozil were ineffectual.

Cesc Fabregas ran the game for Chelsea in midfield, aided as ever by the tireless Willian, and was unfortunate not to win a penalty when bodychecked by Laurent Koscielny after a beautiful run in the second half. That Nemanja Matic gave away a foul, and was booked, for an identical challenge on Alexis Sanchez in midfield soon after illustrated the inconsistency.

True, Arsenal were down to 10 for 72 minutes of the match but, even handicapped, they knew what they had to do after half-time and disappointed. Their best chances were scrappy scrambles with opportunity coming by fortuitous deflection rather than invention. Leicester will have looked at this with quiet satisfaction. Everyone thought they would be the ones to blink first but Arsenal have now taken eight points from 18 in their last six league matches.

And so to the call that changed the game. By popular consent, Petr Cech is the best goalkeeper around here since David Seaman. So, knowing that, why didn’t Mertesacker trust him to deal with Diego Costa in the 18th minute, even one on one?

When a quite lovely pass from Willian put Costa through, Mertesacker’s lack of pace left him floundering. At that point, however, he still had a choice. Lunge, risk missing his tackle, and play the inevitable game of red-card roulette with Mark Clattenburg, the referee, or chase Costa, applying as much pressure as possible and hope that Cech would do the rest.

The worst that could happen, in those circumstances, would be that Arsenal went a goal down, against a team that started the day in 14th place, with 70 minutes to retrieve the game. Instead, Mertesacker pressed the self-destruct button.

As usual, when things happen in a rush, there was the debate about whether Costa was taken out, clipped, dangled a trailing leg or merely fell over taking evasive action. It really doesn’t matter. Mertesacker’s tackle was wild and did not allow Costa to continue his run on goal.

Clattenburg did the right thing. He saw Mertesacker as having denied Chelsea a goalscoring opportunity and dismissed him. The angry reaction of the locals probably had more to do with the involvement of Chelsea’s bogeyman than any true sense of injustice. Had it been the other way around, they would have been howling for a straight red.
Quite why Mertesacker was looking over at Koscielny or a linesman when he made the challenge is a mystery, too.


Perhaps he was trying to calculate offside or his odds of being judged the last line of defence. If so, he got those wrong, as well. Arsene Wenger said Costa got Mertesacker sent off. He didn’t. Mertesacker got Mertesacker sent off and, in doing so, he walked a well-trod path.
It is the seventh time in the Premier League that an Arsenal player has been dismissed against Chelsea, who have a way of getting under red skins and, momentarily, Arsenal lost their way.

Wenger’s reaction to the calamity — removing Olivier Giroud for a centre half, Gabriel, was not well received, and Gabriel’s first involvement was, frankly, calamitous.
He had been on the pitch barely a minute when Branislav Ivanovic whipped in a cross from the right, which Costa met at the near post, getting across Gabriel, and forcing the ball into the net.

Costa is back to his best, no doubt of that, recording more goals and assists under Guus Hiddink than he did in 16 league games with Jose Mourinho this season. Make of that what you will. Arsenal rallied, in terms of possession but not chances, and Chelsea could have moved further ahead shortly before half-time.
Another beautiful ball from Willian — Chelsea’s player of all the season, not just a fraction of it — found Costa but Cech saved well at the near post. From Willian’s corner, Ivanovic’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Nacho Monreal.
Arsenal had one good first-half chance before being numerically disadvantaged, and one after it.

In the second minute, a cross by Theo Walcott — honorary captain on the day after 10 years at the club, hooked late on having had a disappointing afternoon — deserved better than a skewed finish from Joel Campbell.
Then, with the last attack of the half, a neat chip from Aaron Ramsey was met by Mathieu Flamini, beating the offside trap but not his own frailty in front of goal, choosing an ambitious volley which troubled only those departing early for a consoling cup of tea.

Sanchez appeared after half-time but by now Chelsea were in default resist mode.
It is taking no credit from interim manager Hiddink to describe this as a Mourinho performance in its structure. Sitting in front of the back four Matic and John Mikel Obi invited Arsenal to try to find a way through six, plus Thibaut Courtois.
There were occasional scares. In the 64th minute, the ball struck Cesar Azpilicueta on the back and pinballed around the area before Kurt Zouma fired it upfield.

In the 86th minute, a deflected flick from Flamini at last forced Courtois to make a save, before Monreal shot wide.
Chelsea now have the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League — seven games — but it is slow going.
An away win at Arsenal elevated them a single place, to 13th. Still this is a different team — ‘12 new signings’ as Alan Shearer waspishly observed — to the Chelsea on display in the first half of the season.
Mind you, even that lot beat Arsenal. Tells you something, doesn’t it?

MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS, PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AND MATCH ZONE BY OLIVER TODD AT THE EMIRATES

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Cech 6, Bellerin 6, Koscielny 4.5, Mertesacker 2, Monreal 4, Flamini 4, Ramsey 5, Campbell 5 (Sanchez 57mins, 6), Ozil 5, Walcott 5.5 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 75, 5), Giroud 4.5 (Gabriel 22, 5.5)
Subs not used:Ospina, Gibbs, Chambers, Elneny
Sent off: Mertesacker 18
Booked: Flamini

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Courtois 5.5; Ivanovic 5.5, Zouma 6.5, Terry 6.5, Azpilicueta 5.5; Mikel 6, Matic 6; Willian 7, Fabregas 8.5, Oscar 6.5 (Hazard 77, 5.5); Costa 8 (Remy 68, 5.5)
Subs not used: Begovic, Cahill, Baba, Loftus-Cheek, Traore
Goal: Costa 23
Booked: Oscar, Matic, Mikel

Referee: Mark Clattenburg 5.5
Attendance: 60,072
Match ratings by Oliver Todd


==================

Mirror:

Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea: Diego Costa nets the winner after Per Mertesacker dismissal – 5 things we learned

BY JOHN CROSS

Arsenal and Chelsea. Chelsea and Arsenal . It's a dance as old as time itself.

Jose Mourinho may be gone (again) but the Stamford Bridge side were at it again on Sunday afternoon, seeing off their old rivals 1-0 in north London.

Not for the first time, Diego Costa was the hero/villain of the piece. The Spain striker was involved in the game's turning point after just 18 minutes, drawing a foul from Per Mertesacker, who was sent off.

Costa then rubbed salt into Arsenal wounds, firing past Petr Cech after some lax defending from the home side.

John Cross was at the Emirates for this one. Here are five things he learned:

1. Diego Costa could beat Arsenal on his own
So, did we learn this? No. But it confirmed from what we found out in September.

Back then, Costa got Gabriel sent off in a game which also saw Santi Cazorla get his marching orders as Arsenal finished with nine men.

So it’s hardly surprising that Costa was the biggest influence at the Emirates as well.

Costa was taken down by Per Mertesacker, the Arsenal defender saw red and then Costa scored the opener. Good job, Diego. Your work here is done. In a scrappy, nasty, snarling game, there’s few better players to have on your team.

2. Arsenal’s mentality will again be seen as their biggest flaw
Have they got the mentality to win a title? Do they have enough spirit and strength? Well, after this game it’s a fair question.

These big games are the ones where you find out about focus, strength of mind and determination. It also helps you send out a message that you can win big games, you can pass the big tests.

Yet again, Arsenal were found wanting. They’ve won some big games - notably against both Manchester clubs at the Emirates this season - but this was yet another one which will raise more questions about their mentality.

3. Per Mertesacker's lack of pace is an issue
Well, he was never quick off the mark. But the red card against Costa exposed his pace – or lack of it.

Maybe, just maybe, referee Mark Clattenburg reached for his pocket because he knew Mertesacker against Costa was such a mismatch. Was there contact? There was some doubt.

Mertesacker has been brilliant for Arsenal. No doubt about it. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. But, as Arsenal look to evolve and strengthen each summer, maybe Mertesacker will find himself eased out, By Gabriel at first and then possibly a new signing in the longer term.

Just to tease Arsenal fans, they had Sol Campbell on the pitch at half time. How they could do with him now.

4. Theo Walcott is captain material
Nice touch by Arsenal. They gave Walcott the captain’s armband, he led the teams out and tossed the coin before kick-off.

It is to mark his ten years at the club. It’s a touch sentimental, granted. But it probably made Walcott feel proud and, ultimately, Per Mertesacker - who would normally captain the team - was happy to pass on the honour.

But can you really afford sentiment in such a big game? And does it make a difference? The answer is probably no to both.


5. Chelsea have still got what it takes
When in the mood, Chelsea are still an incredibly good team. The Premier League table might suggest otherwise, but the squad which won the title at a canter last season is still there.

They must find some consistency, unity and some new players.

But the core is still there. They just need to play Arsenal every week.


=================


Express;

Arsenal 0 - Chelsea 1: Diego Costa stuns the Gunners again after Mertesacker sees red

DIEGO again. Arsenal must be sick of the sight of him. The nagging, supremely irritating wasp that keeps buzzing around them and refuses to be swatted away.

By TONY BANKS

After they meet Burnley at home in the FA Cup on Saturday, Wenger’s side face resurgent Southampton at home, a tricky trip to Bournemouth, and then Leicester at the Emirates on Valentine’s Day. The psychological damage from this defeat might be huge. It could be a broken heart on February 14 if this sloppy performance is repeated.

The hoary old statistic was that Wenger never beat Jose Mourinho while the Special One was in charge in his two spells at Chelsea. Mourinho has gone and it is cuddly old Guus Hiddink in charge – and still Arsenal struggle. It is now 572 minutes without a goal against Chelsea in the league over three years, nine games.

Wenger admitted beforehand that if his team had a mental block about playing Chelsea, they had to shrug it off. They manifestly failed to do so.

And it was not just the supremely bolshie Costa who was to blame. Chelsea produced their best league display of an admittedly wretched season, and the former Gunner Cesc Fabregas, booed at his every touch, was at the very heart of it.

Fabregas has had a poor campaign but he ran the game; his passing astute, his movement clever, his previously doubted determination right to the fore.

And of course, there was Diego. Recovered from a bruised shin injury in time to play, the Spaniard was at his best; tireless, aggressive, but more importantly, in the right place at the right time.

As befits a team who started the game just four points off the relegation places, Chelsea started nervously. But Arsenal simply handed them the match, their passing sloppy from the off.

Joel Campbell wasted a first-minute chance as he miskicked, and Chelsea were sharp on the break. Willian burst through the middle and released Costa. Mertesacker turned with the speed of an oil tanker, looking vainly for an offside flag, and then scythed down the Chelsea forward.

It was a clear red card – Arsenal’s fourth in five League games against their cross-capital rival – and at that moment the match began to slip away from Wenger.

It slipped further when Branislav Ivanovic crossed from the right and Costa got ahead of substitute Gabriel at the near post to slot home.

Wenger had removed Olivier Giroud, much to the crowd’s fury, though the Frenchman was nursing an ankle injury. Often then it was only Mesut Ozil leading the line.

BBC pundit Alan Shearer tweeted during the game: “Looks like Chelsea have done the best bit of business in the window with 12 new signings.” It was a reference to the fact that this same set of players had barely lifted a leg for Mourinho towards the end of his tenure.

This Chelsea were often deadly on the break. Cech turned Willian’s shot around the post, but Arsenal’s best chance arrived on the stroke of half-time as Mathieu Flamini volleyed Aaron Ramsey’s cross over the bar.

Fabregas should have had a penalty as Laurent Koscielny barged him off the ball inside the area but Chelsea were by this stage being pinned back. A great block by Kurt Zouma denied Koscielny, and then goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois foiled Flamini again.

A battered Costa then limped off, taking an age, to Wenger’s anger. But as the Gunners threw themselves forward, that vulnerable defence once again threatened to undo them.

Chelsea wasted a golden chance when Eden Hazard could have put Loic Remy through but fluffed his pass, and then Willian dragged his shot wide.

The ghost of Mourinho is still haunting this fixture. And certainly Arsenal’s defence.

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Cech 6; Bellerin 6, Mertesacker 5, Koscielny 6, Monreal 6; Flamini 7, Ramsey 7; Campbell 6 (Sanchez 57, 6), Ozil 6, Walcott 6 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 75); Giroud 6 (Gabriel 22, 6). Booked: Flamini. Sent off: Mertesacker. NEXT UP: Burnley (h) Sat, FA Cup.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Courtois 7; Ivanovic 7, Zouma 7, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 7; Mikel 7, Matic 6; Willian 8, Fabregas 7, Oscar 7 (Hazard 77); Costa 7 (Remy 63, 6). Booked: Oscar, Matic, Mikel. Goal: Costa 23. NEXT UP: MK Dons (a) Sun, FA Cup.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg.


================


Star:

Arsenal 0 Chelsea 1: Costa foils Gunners again as Mertesacker sees red

DIEGO COSTA once ran over his own dog by mistake. Yesterday, he flattened Arsenal’s back four on purpose.

By Paul Brown

The pain he inflicted on the Gunners in their own back yard was all pre-meditated, and he enjoyed every minute of it.

The Chelsea striker bullied, harassed and embarrassed Arsenal the way Didier Drogba always used to, and he got his reward, getting Per Mertesacker sent off and then scoring the winner.

It must have felt like Groundhog Day for Arsenal when Mertesacker got his marching orders for a professional foul on the Spain striker in the 18th minute.

After all, Costa had also got Gabriel sent off for kicking him when the teams last met in a 2-0 defeat in September in a game where he also clashed repeatedly with Laurent Koscielny.

Arsenal ended that match with nine men and major questions being asked about their title credentials.

They ended this one with 10, but the questions were the same.

This was the first time they had lost at home in 10 league games. But it’s three without a win now for the Gunners, and that is a worry at such a crucial time of the season.

When Costa went off injured before the end, it was to a chorus of boos from the home fans and chants of “Diego! Diego!” from the away end.

Straight-faced, he applauded all four stands as he took his time leaving the pitch. Pantomime season was over weeks ago. But he clearly still loves playing the villain.

Nineteen points separated the two sides going into the game. But Chelsea actually went into it on the longest unbeaten run in the division.

It looked like boss Guus Hiddink had set his stall out not to lose this one either, toughening up his midfield by playing John Obi Mikel and Nemanja Matic together.

But the visitors could have gone in front when Ceasr Azpilicueta swung in an early cross from the left.

Willian met it first time only for Mertesacker to block his shot, and when the ball came back to him he could only force Petr Cech into the tamest of saves.

Then came the pivotal moment. Willian broke free down the middle and with Mathieu Flamini back pedalling, the Brazilian picked out Costa.

He was clean through, and Mertesacker slid in to bring him down while bizarrely looking at the linesman at the same time.

Chelsea players were quick to surround him and whether or not that pressure made a difference, they got their wish. Out came the red from referee Mark Clattenburg.

Replays showed there was little or no contact, and Costa went to ground theatrically. But Mertesacker was foolish to go diving in, and you could see why Clattenburg gave it.

There was disbelief around the Emirates when Wenger reacted by bringing off striker Olivier Giroud and sending on defender Gabriel, with Mesut Ozil ending up as a false nine.

But disbelief turned to anger when Costa nipped in front of the substitute to slam home a close-range opener from a Branislav Ivanovic cross.


The Spain striker tested Cech again with a shot the former Blues man tipped wide, and Nacho Monreal cleared off the line when Ivanovic got his head to the resulting corner.

Flamini then found himself clean through at the other end after a wonderful lob from Aaron Ramsey but made a mess of his flying volley and skied it high over the crossbar.

Cesc Fabregas, who looked something like his best again in this game, was denied a penalty at the start of the second half when he was barged over by Koscielny.

But this time Clattenburg waved away the appeals, and as the game got more and more niggly Costa seemed to leave a foot in on Ramsey.

Wenger threw on Alexis Sanchez in a bid to rescue things, and when Thibaut Courtois flapped at a routine cross, a goalmouth scrambled almost resulted in an equaliser before the ball was cleared.

In fairness to Arsenal, they gave it a go, and were laying siege to the Chelsea goal in the dying stages even with 10 men. But the damage had already been done.

Everton 3-3

Independent:

John Terry's late goal denies Toffees famous win in enthralling game
Chelsea 3 Everton 3
Miguel Delaney Stamford Bridge

It was an ending to sum up a game, and a game to sum up these two teams’ seasons: gloriously entertaining but atrociously error-strewn.
John Terry scored in the last second of extended stoppage time with a remarkable back-heel, both to atone for his own goal which marked the first strike of the game and ensure Chelsea again came from behind against Everton to secure a draw.

The captain was clearly offside but that “major, major error” – as Roberto Martinez described the refereeing call – was in some way fitting given the mistake-riddled 97 minutes that had preceded it. It also meant the trend of the game continued, with defenders contributing more to goals than keeping them out, even if some of the attacking was superb.

All of it added up to a brilliant match, but still one which doesn’t bode well for these sides’ seasons. Martinez was fuming afterwards about the extra injury time and offside call. “Refereeing-wise, you cannot justify, you cannot explain that level,” he said. “The players are really down… the refereeing today wasn’t up to the level. It’s clear-cut. The player is offside.”

Guus Hiddink said: “Roberto is right”, adding: “It’s such a difficult game to analyse.”
If the match left many questions about the sides, it also left one about the game itself: how could it go from so dull in the first half to so exciting after the break.
The first 45 minutes were awful, with only one brilliant Kevin Mirallas spin elevating it.
Everton, however, elevated their game as, for almost 20 minutes after the interval, they were unplayable as they went into a 2-0 lead.

Chelsea struggled even to get close to Everton’s gloriously fluid midfield and that kind of movement undeniably led to Terry getting himself into such a twist for the opening goal. The source, though, was Romelu Lukaku’s strength as he rampaged over his old club’s pitch as if it was his own. The Belgian fed Ross Barkley after a powerful run, Barclay played in Leighton Baines for a thumping ball across the box, and Terry awkwardly tried to clear, only for the ball to hit his other leg and go in.
If there was an element of comedy about that, there was only quality to the second Everton goal seven minutes later. A fluid, bewitching move ended with Mirallas setting himself up with one touch in the box before driving past Thibaut Courtois with the second.

You could only wonder why Everton are not higher in the league – but the explanation was not long in coming.
The oddity with Everton is that they are possibly the best 20-minute team in the league, capable of sensational levels for brief periods. It is almost like Martinez’s seasons with Wigan have been condensed into individual matches, where his teams are capable of switching it on suddenly for concentrated periods of games rather than concentrated spells of the season.

And we saw the other side of Everton – the defensive disorder – around 20 minutes after half-time. Then Cesc Fabregas played a supreme ball forward, only for Phil Jagielka and his goalkeeper, Tim Howard, to try meekly to clear and present Diego Costa with an easy finish.

Fabregas was suddenly the one running the game and got his reward when Costa returned the favour, playing a pass back for the midfielder to strike the equaliser through a John Stones deflection.
Stamford Bridge erupted but, amazingly, there was more chaos to come. Funes Mori was allowed the most casual of finishes just yards from the Chelsea line on 90 minutes to make to 3-2 from a divine Gerard Deulofeu ball, only for Terry to turn the game on its head again by so inventively scoring the equaliser.

Everton turned to the linesman. There was no call, in what Martinez described as a “heart-breaking moment”. Hiddink was the opposite, praising Chelsea’s “ambition” and “a point gained”. Both clubs are likely to end the season frustrated.

Chelsea: (4-2-3-1) Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic (Oscar, 55), Mikel; Willian, Fabregas, Pedro (Kenedy, 67); Costa (Rémy, 79).
Everton: (4-2-3-1) Howard; Oviedo (Funes Mori, 70), Stones, Jagielka, Baines; Besic, Barry; Lennon (Deulofeu, 80), Barkley, Mirallas (Pienaar, 79); Lukaku.
Referee: Michael Jones.
Man of the match: Fabregas (Chelsea).
Match rating: 9/10

==================

Telegraph:

Chelsea 3 Everton 3
John Terry atones for own goal with late, late equaliser
Blues skipper scores at both ends in a chaotic match at Stamford Bridge

By  Sam Wallace, Stamford Bridge

There were 97min 53 secs on the clock when John Terry ran from an offside position to guide the ball nimbly past Tim Howard with his heel, and jumped into the crowd to celebrate a late point against Everton in a game that had at times been, to put it mildly, a catastrophe for the defending champions.

Chelsea are, lest we forget, last season’s Premier League winners but there are only fleeting moments when you are reminded of that. The tenacity that saw them come back twice against Everton at home was one of those occasions but for all the sound and fury, they are still in 14th place and this was another two points dropped in their increasingly despairing drive to finish fourth.

It was, however, great entertainment. There were four goals in the space of 16 minutes in the second half, the first of them a Terry own goal that was a study in calamity. Having roared back to 2-2 with two goals of their own, Chelsea lost Diego Costa to a shin injury that necessitated a trip to hospital for a scan and then had to fight back again when substitute Ramiro Funes Mori scored in the first minute of injury-time.

Roberto Martinez described the performance of referee Mike Jones as “diabolic” for what he said was a “horrific” decision to allow Terry’s equaliser despite a clear offside, and for playing an extra 50 seconds on top of the allotted seven minutes time originally added on. The Everton manager claimed that he had overheard the fourth official, Craig Pawson, agreeing with the referee over his headset that time was up before the final goal.

“The fourth official made it clear it was time, before the ball was played into the box - no debate,” Martinez said. “Maybe the whole ground should see the time left on a big clock. But a player two yards offside in the box? That's unacceptable. It's a decision that should have been given offside. It doesn't come down to the interpretation of the referee. It's a heartbreaking moment for us. The referee wasn't up to the level today.”
The beneficiary of referee Roger East’s decision not to give Raheem Sterling a last-minute penalty against his side on Wednesday, Martinez blamed linesman Peter Kirkup for not spotting Terry’s offside. Guus Hiddink said that the celebrations following Funes Mori’s goal had gone on around a minute and that he had asked Pawson to take that into consideration.

Chelsea are still yet to lose in seven games under their new manager but they are not getting any closer to the Champions League places either. He has not given up hope yet but then he is being paid a lot of money by Roman Abramovich not to, and the Chelsea owner was in attendance again wearing his favourite matchday coat with the Champions League logo emblazoned on the front.

Hiddink has set his team a target of winning their home games at the very least but if Costa is injured then they will need to move quickly for a new striker. “We didn't do so [win in last two league games], so it's difficult,” Hiddink said. “We're using our decreasing number of games, it will be even more difficult.”

Asked whether Chelsea would make a new signing, Hiddink said: “Yes, if we want to. But, for the moment, we hope Diego comes out the hospital in good health and we go on as we are doing.”
Everton had the better chances in the first half and broke through five minutes after half-time. They worked the ball left from Ross Barkley to Aaron Lennon and onto Leighton Baines who crossed from the left whereupon Terry lunged, the ball bouncing off his right foot and onto his left knee before rolling in.

The second Everton goal, five minutes later, was a beauty. Again the ball was worked out to Baines and his cross was controlled with one touch by Kevin Mirallas who swivelled and beat Thibaut Courtois on the half-volley. Chelsea were back on familiar territory.
Running onto Cesc Fabregas’s long ball, Costa out-muscled Phil Jagielka and beat Tim Howard to score. Fabregas’s shot deflected in off Muhamed Besic for the equaliser. Costa seemed to get injured challenging Baines for the ball and, finding himself off the pitch, tried to surreptitiously roll back on to hold up play.

In the final, frantic stages Mirallas went through on goal but had his shot saved by Courtois. Then substitute Gerard Deulofeu curled a fine cross under the bar for Funes Mori to poke in at the back post. Still clearly nurturing the disquiet at his own goal, it was Terry who had the final say after headers from Branislav Ivanovic and Oscar put him through. A goal to remember but hardly a leap forward for Chelsea’s league season.

========================

Observer:

Chelsea’s John Terry grabs last-gasp equaliser to deny Everton in thriller
Chelsea 3 - 3 Everton

Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge

When the dust settles from this blistering contest it will be clearer just why neither of these sides is properly equipped at present to mount a coherent pursuit of the top four. Everton argued vehemently and justifiably they had only been denied a first win here in 22 years by an oversight from an assistant referee almost eight minutes into stoppage time, and Chelsea could point to the character and courage demonstrated by two unlikely if successful pursuits of parity. Their spirit is at least restored.

But, as entertaining as this all was, it was a chaotic mess of defensive errors and the latest draw in respective crawls from the division’s bottom half. Guus Hiddink has not lost a game in his second spell in interim charge, but more revealing is the reality he has won only once in the league to date. Everton would normally be celebrating the rewards squeezed from trips to Manchester City and Chelsea within a few days, but they have won only once in nine top-flight games. This was, in effect, a glorious frenzy played out in the obscurity of mid-table. These clubs are used to being more relevant.

Hiddink could barely disguise his frustration at the four points shed in successive home games, though it was Everton’s protests that screamed out loudest of all at the end. This match was just shy of its 98th minute, the official’s board having suggested a minimum of only seven, when the ball was launched one last time into the penalty area to be headed up and on first by Branislav Ivanovic and then by Oscar. John Terry, whose own goal had opened the scoring, was the wrong side of the visitors’ back-line when he conjured the backheel that flew beyond Tim Howard.

Roberto Martínez’s exasperation briefly centred upon the length of time that had been added on, Chelsea’s bench having appealed to the fourth official Craig Pawson for an extra minute to reflect Everton’s celebrations at edging 3-2 up after the board had been hoisted, but it quickly focused on the real error. “Anger, pure anger,” he offered as his overriding emotion before branding the mistake, by the assistant Peter Kirkup, “unacceptable” and the standard of refereeing “diabolical”.

His side had arguably benefited from the non-award of a penalty in the final minute at the Etihad in midweek, something the manager acknowledged in passing, but this still felt cruel. Not that it was unexpected: Bournemouth had claimed a similar 3-3 draw at Everton’s expense back in November in the 98th minute, while Stoke’s 4-3 success at Goodison Park a month later came in stoppage time. This is a recurring theme.

Perhaps, for once, it was better to bask in the frenzy into which this contest descended after a sterile opening period. Roman Abramovich, huddled in the corner of his private box up in the West stand, had been left idly fiddling with his mobile phone during that mind-numbing opening, yet the game erupted after the break. It was the visitors who forced the issue, exposing all those familiar frailties in a Chelsea backline who have already shipped more goals this term than they conceded over the entirety of their title-winning campaign. They laboured to deal with Romelu Lukaku’s brawn, and the invention of Ross Barkley, Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas in midfield, with team-mates forever galloping upfield in support.

Leighton Baines supplied their first reward, benefiting from Lukaku’s rampaging run and Barkley’s slipped pass, with the left-back’s centre flicking from Terry’s right boot on to his left to dribble agonisingly beyond Thibaut Courtois. Barkley struck a post moments later though it should not have mattered.
When Baines was again allowed to deliver unchecked from the left, Mirallas collected, his first touch bypassing a disorientated Mikel John Obi, to spin and belt a second beyond his compatriot. The Belgian winger was excellent here, even if his failure to beat Courtois when clean through as full-time approached ended up feeling pivotal.

For a while Chelsea looked forlorn, a fifth home defeat looming large to suggest Hiddink had merely been papering over the cracks. Yet all it took to revive them was Cesc Fàbregas’s hopeful punt over Phil Jagielka, collected by Diego Costa on the sprint as Howard charged out of his goal, with the striker thumping the ball into an empty net. He returned the compliment at his team’s next foray forward, exchanging passes with Fàbregas before the midfielder’s shot flicked off John Stones to wrongfoot Howard.

Chelsea’s pursuit of a winner would be blunted by Costa’s departure for hospital with a shin injury that will have the management fretting over the days ahead. Yet their own defensive vulnerability remained. The game had already lurched into added time when Gerard Deulofeu’s corner was nodded back out to the flank by Willian. The delivery second time round arced sumptuously over Courtois and, as Chelsea dithered, Ramiro Funes Mori and Lukaku found themselves unmarked at the far post and eager to convert.

It was the defender who guided what he thought was the winner into the net, only for that combination of Terry and Kirkup to ruin Martínez’s afternoon. Life in mid-table can rarely have felt so breathtaking.

==================

Mail:

Chelsea 3-3 Everton: John Terry nets 98th minute equaliser to earn Blues a point in pulsating clash at Stamford Bridge

By Neil Ashton for The Mail on Sunday

When the fourth official told Roberto Martinez that the seven minutes of injury time had elapsed, Everton’s manager was entitled to think that his team were home and hosed.
Instead they were left frustrated and angry, questioning how referee Michael Jones allowed another 50 seconds or more to be played until John Terry's improvisation in the 98th minute. Martinez has a point.
Everton appeared to have this game won when substitute Ramiro Funes Mori arrived at the far post to connect with Gerard Deulofeu’s cross from the right in the 90th minute. Instead they feel cheated.

Jones played on, and on, and on, until Terry - who was standing in an offside position when Branislav Ivanovic and then Oscar helped the ball on - cheekily flicked his effort beyond Tim Howard.
‘For me our third goal was the victory, but when there are seven minutes of injury time and the last action happens 52 seconds after that, with Terry two yards offside, you can’t justify it at this level,’ claimed Martinez.

‘The fourth official made it clear that it was time, before the ball was played into the box - there is no debate. The player was also two yards offside in the box and that’s unacceptable.
‘It’s a decision that should have been given offside. It doesn’t come down to the interpretation of the referee - he just wasn’t up to the level. It’s heartbreaking, a major error which is difficult to take.’

Everton’s players were more than a little peeved, with the Premier League draw specialists wondering how the referee and his assistants could have got this so wrong. They had already been pegged back from a two-goal advantage when Funes Mori, on as a substitute in the second half, beat Thibaut Courtois at the far post in the 90th minute.
Even Guus Hiddink, an honourable and dignified man, accepted that Terry was offside when he scored the dramatic equaliser in front of the Matthew Harding Stand.

‘I can say now that Roberto is quite right,’ admitted Chelsea’s interim manager. ‘Why should I deny it? I have seen it. Oscar touched the ball and John was offside, even though he made a beautiful goal. Roberto is right.
‘Over 97 minutes was played, but they were celebrating their third goal in the corner and then we asked the fourth official to add one minute more.’
Their wish was granted, with the referee playing just enough time to extend Hiddink’s unbeaten run since he replaced Jose Mourinho as Chelsea’s interim manager to seven games.

The resistance is incredible, earning a point against the Premier League’s draw specialists after they had fallen two goals behind at the start of the second half.
Terry had scored an own goal in the 50th minute, beating Chelsea’s keeper when Leighton Baines crossed from the left after some neat approach work by Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley.
Kevin Mirallas put Everton 2-0 up in the 56th minute, controlling a pass from Baines with his left foot and lashing it beyond Courtois in the same movement. It was a peach of a strike.
It is then that a team with real designs and aspirations on the top four should have closed this game out, turning to the defensive minded players to get the job done.

Instead they allowed Chelsea to score twice within a minute when Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas finally raised their game to something acceptable in a Chelsea shirt.
Phil Jagielka, for all his experience, allowed the presence of Costa to rattle him, unsettling the Everton defender when the pair of them chased down a lofted pass by Fabregas.
Jagielka and Howard collided, allowing Costa to run on and roll the ball into the back of the net. It instantly changed the mood around the place.

Within 60 seconds they were level, with Fabregas and Costa combining on the edge of the area to set up Chelsea’s improbable equaliser. He ended the day in hospital, sent for a scan on his shin after a needless, reckless, foul on Baines. He only knows one way to play, and it is rarely within the rules.
It prompted a series of substitutions, but Everton were first to benefit via the combination of Deulofeu and Funes Mori in the final minute.
Deulofeu’s corner was cleared, but his second attempt was met at the far post by another Everton substitute to put Martinez’s team back in front.
It should have been enough, but Terry’s improvisation earned Chelsea an unlikely point. After that, it was down to Martinez to make his.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Courtois 6; Ivanovic 6, Zouma 6, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 5; Matic 4 (Oscar 55, 6), Mikel 6; Willian 7, Fabregas 7, Pedro 4 (Kennedy 66); Costa 6 (Remy 80, 6)
Subs not used: Begovic, Baba, Cahill, Loftus-Cheek
Scorers: Costa 64, Fabregas 66, Terry 90+8
Booked: Terry
EVERTON (4-3-3): Howard 7; Oviedo 6 (Funes Mori 71, 6), Stones 6, Jagielka 5, Baines 6; Barry 6, Besic 7; Lennon 7 (Deulofeu 80, 6), Barkley 7 (Pienaar 80, 6), Mirallas 8; Lukaku 7
Subs not used: Robles, Kone, Cleverley, Osman
Scorer: Terry (OG) 50, Mirallas 56, Funes Mori 90
Booked: Funes Mori
Referee: Mike Jones
Attendance: 41,633
Man of the match: Kevin Mirallas

=============================================

Mirror:
   
Chelsea 3-3 Everton: 5 things we learned as John Terry goes from villain to hero with late equaliser
  
By Adrian Kajumba
 
The Blues captain scored an early own goal but saved his side's blushes with a 98th minute goal to grab a draw against the Toffees

John Terry went from villain to hero to rescue a dramatic point for Chelsea.
The Blues captain made up for scoring an own goal by back-heeling in the equaliser in the eighth minute of added time.

Terry's own goal and a second from Kevin Mirallas at the start of the second half put Everton well on control.
But Chelsea hit back with two goals in three minutes just after the hour from Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas to salvage a draw.
Everton sub Ramiro Funes Mori then looked to have won the game for Everton when he turned in Gerard Deulofeu's cross just before the fourth official signalled seven minutes of added time.

But Terry had the final say when he turned in Oscar's flick on with virtually the last kick of the game.
Chelsea were relieved to salvage a draw but remain winless at home in the league under Guus Hiddink, having also been held to draws by Watford and West Brom.

Chelsea were still not at their best

Guus Hiddink is right - the threat of relegation is very real for Chelsea. Their comeback, first to draw level from 2-0 down and then from 3-2 behind suggested the Chelsea fighting spirit is still flickering.
But for the first hour they were awful at both ends, all over the place at the back and woefully short of ideas in attack. On numerous occasions a Chelsea player would have nobody to pass to as he ventured forward.

Having then hauled themselves level, their defending for Everton's third was awful as their entire Blues back-line simply stopped allowing sub Ramiro Funes Mori to put Everton back in front.
In the end Terry rescued a point with the last kick of the game. But they were lucky to earn a draw and this was another worrying display.

John Stones continues to impress
The Everton defender is a joy to watch. He has such faith his ability that nothing fazes him. He refuses to be rushed or panicked into any decision and often takes a touch, or two, when others would simply hoof the ball away.
In front of Roy Hodgson and against the side who courted him last summer Stones produced another composed and faultless performance to keep Diego Costa quiet.

Nemanja Matic's decline goes on
The Serbian's decline has been as surprising and alarming as pretty much any other Chelsea player since they won the title. Last year he was being hailed as the best holding midfielder in the league.
Today his season hit a new low. He was outfought and out-thought in midfield and was unsurprisingly hooked early.

Let's talk about Cesc
The partnership that served Chelsea so well last season is alive and kicking again. Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa combined for both goals as Chelsea hit back to earn a point.
Fabregas picked out Costa for the first with a delightful ball over the top and the roles were reversed for the equaliser two minutes later.

Gareth Barry is like a fine wine
The 34 year-old has still got it. Last week he outshone Yaya Toure in the Capital One Cup. Today he saw off Nemanja Matic, another of the league's so-called best central midfielders.
Barry just keeps things simple and his experience often takes him to the right place at the right time. And he does it all in effortless fashion, without ever really needing to break into a sprint and hare around the pitch.

Player ratings
Chelsea: Courtois 7; Ivanovic 6, Zouma 7, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 6; Mikel 6, Matic 4 (Oscar 55, 6); Willian 7, Fabregas 6, Pedro 6 (Kenedy 66, 5); Costa 8 (Remy 79, 5). Unused: Begovic, Baba, Cahill, Loftus-Cheek.

Everton: Howard 6; Oviedo 6 (Funes Mori 71, 7), Stones 7, Jagielka 6, Baines 8; Barry 8, Besic 7; Miralllas 7, Barkley 8 (Pienaar 80, 5), Lennon 5 (Deulofeu 80, 6); Lukaku 5. Unused: Robles, Kone, Cleverley, Osman,
MOM: Baines

==========================

Express:

Chelsea 3 - Everton 3: John Terry injury time strike seals another draw for Guus Hiddink
JOHN TERRY scored seven minutes into injury time to save a point against Everton for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

By Bruce Archer

It was Hiddink’s sixth game in the dugout since replacing Jose Mourinho and while he’s brought back a sense of serenity to Stamford Bridge the results have not yet been what they had hoped.
This was a scramble against all odds, first as they came back from two goals down to level and then again when Ramiro Funes Mori’s 90th minute goal was cancelled out by Terry after seven minutes of injury time.

This was another draw – Hiddink’s fourth in six games - and it came after Everton blew them away at the start of the second of the half.
John Terry scored an own goal and Kevin Mirallas hit a wonderful second.
But that irked the Chelsea side who – through Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas – struck back with plenty of time on the clock.
But Funes Mori thought he’d won it before Chelsea showed their character once more with Terry's late, late goal.
      
A cagey first half saw both sides miss decent chances but not create enough.
Willian had the first real effort after 15 minutes, beating the offside trap from Fabregas’ measured pass, but Tim Howard stood strong and pushed it over the bar.
Bryan Oviedo should have put Everton ahead just minutes later when he slipped one wide from the edge of the box with half the goal open.
There were chants of ‘Diego, Diego, Diego’ for Costa just weeks on from the boos and rat banners following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
The Spain striker back in favour and the Portuguese all but forgotten on the terraces as Hiddink’s side get their season back on track.

But the Toffees started the second half with a bang and were two up in no time.
First a Terry own goal before Mirallas struck after a stunning spin in the penalty area.
Lukaku caused mayhem in the middle by driving through and sliding to Ross Barkley whose pass to Leighton Baines broke the Chelsea defensive line and the offside trap.
Baines then fired across the goal and Terry sent it in.
Ross Barkley should have doubled the lead when he smashed against the post shortly after but Mirallas did make it two five minutes later as he turned beautifully and fired beyond his national team-mate Courtois.

Fabregas nearly caught Howard out straight away with a spectacular back-heel that flicked up into the air but the American pushed it away for a corner.
Costa and then Fabregas then responded for Chelsea as they levelled it up.
Costa got on the end of a long ball and flicked it round Howard before finishing into an empty net.
Fabregas finished a neat one-two with Costa to draw the sides level after 66 minutes.
Mirallas could have made it three when he was played in one-on-one but his low effort was saved by Courtois and Costa couldn’t get enough on a cross from Kenedy to add to his tally.
But substitute Funes Mori scoerd at the back post on 90 minutes to seemingly win it for the Toffees until Terry stepped up with the last act of the game.

====================================

Star:
 
Chelsea 3 Everton 3: John Terry saves the day for Guus Hiddink with late equaliser
JOHN TERRY rescued Chelsea in the EIGHTH minute of added time to slightly lift the gathering relegation clouds at Stamford Bridge.


By Paul Hetherington

The Chelsea skipper made up for an earlier own goal when he cleverly flicked the ball home from Oscar’s header.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez was understandably fuming that Terry was offside, calling the decision“diabolical”.
But that didn’t dilute the Chelsea euphoria – and relief – at the end of a sensational, six-goal second half.

Terry’s own goal and a Kevin Mirallas strike seemingly put Everton on course for their first league success in 21 attempts at The Bridge.
But Chelsea then hit back through goals from the inspirational Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas – his first in the league since April.
Everton, however, regained the lead in the 91st minute when sub Ramiro Funes Mori turned in Gerard Deulofeu’s cross.
But Chelsea still weren’t finished meaning interim boss Guus Hiddink is still unbeaten after seven matches in charge after a breathless finish.

Hiddink said: “I am very happy with the spirit, attitude and ambition of the team.
“We were up against a very good Everton team with a modern way of playing.
“I wasn’t happy with the goals we conceded but we had to overcome the setback of being 2-0 down, then another setback when Everton made it 3-2 after we had fought back. But at the end, we fought back again to get a draw.”
All of the second-half excitement had seemed most unlikely after a sterile opening 45 minutes.
Martinez even saw an attempt to throw the ball back on to the pitch go wrong, as it rebounded back to him off an advertising board.
Willian introduced the first postive moment with a rasping drive which Everton keeper Tim Howard turned over.
Everton’s first clear chance fell to full-back Bryan Oviedo but he dragged his shot wide from a good position.

Like most games, it needed a goal and Mirallas almost provided it with a superb turn to beat Kurt Zouma.
The Belgium winger’s shot was well struck but his international team - mate, Thibaut Courtois, made a fine save to rescue Chelsea.
It was after the break that the game finally sprang into life. In the 50th minute, Ross Barkley played the ball out to Leighton Baines on the left after good work from Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku.
Baines then delivered a fine cross and Terry, in attempting to clear, sliced the ball with his right foot on to his left knee and into the net.
Three minutes later, it could have been 2-0 but Barkley thumped his shot from a clever Mirallas pass against the post.
But Everton did score again in the 56th minute following another Baines cross.

This time he found Mirallas, who turned sharply before driving into the corner of the net with his left foot.
When Chelsea attempted to hit back quickly, Howard superbly kept out a Fabregas flick.
But in the 64th minute, Costa outmuscled Phil Jagielka from Fabregas’ long ball and walked the ball into the net.
And two minutes later, a neat flick by Costa – whose day ended with a trip to hospital for a scan on a shin injury – led to Fabregas shooting home, with the aid of a deflection off Muhamed Besic.
Chelsea needed a block by Courtois to prevent Mirallas scoring again for Everton, who had Oviedo carried off on a stretcher after a collision with Kenedy.
But the real drama was still to come, first with Everton’s 91st-minute goal before Terry’s last-gasp saver after a match extended by a long succession of injuries.