Chelsea outwit Arsenal to move clear
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-19 10:27

HEAD SWATHED

Seven players were booked and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard played much of the second half with his head swathed in bandages after a clash.

Chelsea's captain John Terry (R) reacts as referee Rob Styles (C) shows the yellow card to Arsenal's captain Thierry Henry (L) during their English Premier League soccer match at Highbury in London December 18, 2005. [Reuters]

The day's ill-feeling appeared to extend to the managers.

Chelsea's Jose Mourinho disappeared down the tunnel without the customary handshake with his opposite number, continuing the pair's acrimonious relationship.

"I didn't see him," Wenger said.

Chelsea restored their nine-point lead at the top over Manchester United who won 2-0 at Aston Villa on Saturday.

In the day's other game Tottenham Hotspur earned a point in a see-saw 3-3 draw at Middlesbrough to stay in touch with the title challengers.

Tottenham went ahead in the 25th minute, Robbie Keane's shot bobbling into the net after Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer had failed to clear a high ball.

DRIFTED CLEAR

The home side's response was to attack and they were rewarded five minutes later when Aiyegbeni Yakubu drifted clear of the Spurs defence, latched on to a Gareth Southgate header and volleyed home from six metres.

Yakubu was on hand in the 43rd too when midfielder James Morrison drilled a left-footed shot from 18 metres towards the goal and it deflected into the net off the Nigerian's chest.

Spurs levelled 18 minutes into the second half when Jermaine Jenas struck an exquisite 25-metre free kick that curled over the Middlesbrough wall and past the diving Schwarzer.

Their elation was short-lived, however, as Middlesbrough defender Franck Queudrue headed a corner on to the underside of the crossbar and just over the line.

Tottenham replied in similar fashion seven minutes from time when striker Mido jumped high above the home defence to head home a Michael Carrick corner.

Tottenham remained fourth in the table, level on 30 points with Liverpool who have two games in hand after playing the club World Championship in Japan. Middlesbrough stayed 13th.