Chelsea maintain top spot after nil-all draw with Arsenal

Jose Mourinho remains unbeaten for his 13th game against Arsene Wenger as the Blues extend lead at the top. Chelsea took another step towards clinching the Premier League title after a goalless draw at Arsenal ensured they remain 10 points clear at the top of the league.

Chelsea didn’t need to win here. They just didn’t want to lose. So, after half-time, Jose Mourinho threw a big blue blanket over the action. Until Mourinho gave the order to shut it down the match had been highly entertaining. Arsenal’s fans vented their frustration with chants of “boring boring Chelsea” at the final whistle after the Gunners failed to make the most of their second-half chances, but this was the performance of a side fixing a steely gaze and determination on the title. The criticism fell on deaf ears as Chelsea’s players celebrated earning a vital draw – especially captain John Terry as he gave triumphant clenched fist salutes before taking the acclaim of the visiting supporters.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will have been as frustrated as his team’s fans, having now gone 13 games without a win against his old adversary Mourinho. The Gunners had plenty of possession but could not find the inspiration to alter that statistic.

Ultimately, Mourinho and Chelsea will regard this as another precious point on what now seems the formality of the first title triumph of his second spell in charge at the club.