Bellerin’s Late Equalizer Deny Chelsea in Derby Thriller
Written by AaronWeb on January 4, 2018
Bellerin’s Late Equalizer Deny Chelsea in Derby Thriller
Chelsea failed to move back into second place in the Premier League after they were held to a 2-2 dray by Arsenal on Wednesday thanks to Hector Bellerin’s stoppage-time strike.
Eden Hazard’s penalty cancelled out Jack Wilshere’s opener before Marco Alonso looked to have sealed the turnaround for the champions, only Bellerin to blast home for at the death.
The result means Antonio Conte’s side stay third in the table, a point behind Manchester United and 16 adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City, having won just once in their last five away league games.
It was Wilshere who broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with an emphatic finish but Arsenal’s lead lasted only four minutes, with Hazard winning and then converting a debatable spot-kick after Bellerin sent him to the ground in the box.
Alonso snatched what he thought was the winner six minutes from time, but Arsenal showed great resolve to push for an equalizer and Bellerin atoned in the 92nd minute with a stunning half-volley from the edge of the area.
Chelsea still had another chance to claim all three points, but Alvaro Morata’s wasteful finishing reared its head again and substitute Davide Zappacosta hit the crossbar with his follow-up.
