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Chelsea and Arsenal played out an intense 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues had the better of the first half but their plans were thrown into chaos when Moises Caicedo was sent off for a reckless challenge on Mikel Merino.
Trevoh Chalobah then put the hosts ahead as he nodded home Reece James' corner early in the second period.
However, Merino levelled for the Gunners 11 minutes later after good work from Bukayo Saka - and the two sides could not be separated from then on.
The result leaves Arsenal five points clear of Man City at the top of table, with Chelsea one point further behind.
Daily Mail Sport's KIERAN GILL and ISAAN Khan were at Stamford Bridge, and they have rated both sets of players below.
Chelsea and Arsenal played out a feisty 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon
Mikel Merino (C) earned a point for Arsenal, who remain five points clear at the top of the table
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Robert Sanchez – 7.5
Had no chance with Mikel Merino’s close-range equaliser. Fine saves in each half to deny Gabriel Martinelli and Merino, and it was after the second of those two stops that he took some boots to the face from Viktor Gyokeres when he denied him the rebound.
Malo Gusto – 7
Gusto had his former team-mate Noni Madueke for company in the second half, then Bukayo Saka when he switched wings to try his luck on his side. Handled both well.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Was originally marking Merino but then lost him as Bukayo Saka crossed and Arsenal’s makeshift striker headed home. Poor tracking from the Chelsea defender and costly.
Trevoh Chalobah – 7
A whack from Piero Hincapie left him with a swollen cheek. He wasn’t too happy with that. But he was thrilled to lose Jurrien Timber and jump higher than Declan Rice to make it 1-0.
Marc Cucurella – 6.5
Two fouls on Saka within 10 minutes earned him a caution and so Cucurella had 80 minutes on thin ice thereafter. Couldn’t stop Saka’s cross from which Arsenal made it 1-1, though.
Reece James – 8.5
Just awesome. Man-marked Rice when Arsenal had the ball. High up the pitch, or dropping deep, he followed him wherever he went. On the ball, James was the boss. Amid all the Caicedo versus Rice talk, it was James who was the best midfielder here.
Reece James was awesome in midfield and dominated the battle in the centre of the park
Trevoh Chalobah jumped higher than Declan Rice to nod home from a corner in the second half
Moises Caicedo made the task harder for his side after he caught Merino above the ankle
Moises Caicedo – 3
Was it a red card? Of course it was. If an Arsenal player had done what he did, everyone associated with Chelsea would be demanding an immediate dismissal. Caicedo stamped on Merino and deserved to go via VAR.
Estevao Willian – 6
Excellent early chance when the ball fell blindly to him after Joao Pedro’s cross. Twelve yards from goal, if that, but blasted it high into the Shed End. Replaced by Garnacho at half-time.
Enzo Fernandez – 6.5
Chelsea’s wind-up merchant, chucking the ball twice at Jurrien Timber as he went to take a throw-in. Nothing wrong with a little needle. He loves a scrap. Even did the ‘I’ll see you in the tunnel afterwards’ to David Raya amid one argument.
Enzo Fernandez was Chelsea's chief wind-up merchant and he had a scuffle with David Raya
Estevao wasted a good opportunity and was replaced by Alejandro Garnacho at half-time
Pedro Neto – 7
One early chance was killed via a perfectly-timed challenge by Rice. Looked exhausted towards the end as he did his defensive duties while also trying to give Chelsea a way to threat on the counter once down to 10 men.
Joao Pedro – 6
Not the strongest at holding up the ball so a fair few of Sanchez’s long launches were instant turnovers. Wasted one chance when he thought he’d sneaked behind Arsenal’s back line.
SUBS
Alejandro Garnacho (for Estevao Willian, 45) – 6
Had a few chances to charge at Arsenal in the second half, but couldn’t quite create that one killer opportunity for Chelsea.
Liam Delap (for Joao Pedro, 55) – 6
Came on to try to add a little muscle into Chelsea’s front line and held his own in those battles. Only chance he had to score was saved.
MANAGER
Enzo Maresca – 6.5
Went a man down. Took the lead. Conceded the equaliser. With 10 men, Chelsea battled, showed aggression and were arguably the better team at times.
Enzo Maresca's side were arguably the better team at times despite being down to 10 men
ARSENAL (4-3-3):
DAVID RAYA: 5.5
A few nervy clearances, influenced by having a fresh centre-back pairing in front. Gave away the corner which Chelsea scored from.
JURRIEN TIMBER: 6
Should have done better in the area for Trevoh Chalobah’s goal. Good in duels, yet outperformed by Reece James.
CRISTHIAN MOSQUERA: 6
Chaotic on the ball at times. A difficult task without Gabriel or William Saliba to help him, but hung in there.
Cristhian Mosquera was faced with a difficult task but the Spaniard hung in there on Sunday
David Raya didn't appear to be his usual confident self and made a hash of a few clearances
PIERO HINCAPIE: 6
Very physical in duels and pumped up, teetering on edge of a red card. Looked shaky on the ball, too, but put in some strong tackles.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI: 6
Manned his left flank well and wasn’t fazed in possession. Hooked at half-time for Myles Lewis-Skelly, which was a surprise.
EBERECHI EZE: 6
Struggled to get much time on the ball to weave his magic. That saw him drift out of the game.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI: 5.5
A few sloppy passes in the first half. Looked overwhelmed at times. Got a yellow card after five minutes.
DECLAN RICE: 7.5
The opposition midfield pressure on him subsided after Moises Caicedo’s red card. Played a very deep role, helping the centre backs out. Crucial in the middle, too.
BUKAYO SAKA: 7
Involved in a big battle with Marc Cucurella — fouled four times in the first half. Accurate cross to assist Mikel Merino.
MIKEL MERINO: 7
His crucial header pulled Arsenal back into this match. He stepped up once again as the makeshift striker.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 5.5
Great chance in the first half which was saved. Lacked that spark to break open the opposition defence.
Gabriel Martinelli was handed a rare start in the Premier League, but he lacked a spark
Mikel Merino continues to step up as Arsenal's makeshift striker when called upon
Declan Rice filled a slightly deeper role but he was as crucial as ever for the Gunners
SUBS
VIKTOR GYOKERES: 6
MARTIN ODEGAARD: 6
NONI MADUEKE: 6
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY: 6
Manager
MIKEL ARTETA: 6
Would have wanted a winning goal with Chelsea down to 10 men. Arguably made the wrong changes.
