EPL: Odegaard, Havertz score as Arsenal grab comeback win over Chelsea

Arsenal came from a goal down to defeat Chelsea 2-1 in their English Premier League (EPL) encounter at the Emirates on Sunday.

The EPL champions came out victorious from a tense London derby despite going behind with just two minutes on the clock, putting on a display worthy of their title defence.

Xabi Alonso faced his first real test as Chelsea manager, but while his players tried to match the Gunners toe-to-toe and took an early lead, the leaky defence couldn’t hold out against the relentless champions, who proved their status.

Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead on two minutes with a hard low drive from the edge of the area that crept past the outstretched hands of David Raya for 1-0 to the Blues.

Mikel Arteta’s side remained unfazed and carved open Chelsea, who were bailed out by Emiliano Martinez, their new goalkeeper, and the offside trap when Ricardo Calafiori thought he had levelled the match. Kai Havertz eventually restored parity with a curling effort into the far post on 25 minutes.

The Gunners took the lead five minutes into the second half when Martin Odegaard, the team captain, timed his run to perfection to receive Christos Tzolis’ pass in the box and expertly finished with aplomb for the eventual winner.

Arsenal saw out the remainder of the feisty encounter to maintain their winning start to the season, while Chelsea dropped points for the first time this season. Arsenal secured their fifth consecutive win at Emirates Stadium against Chelsea, and also stretched their unbeaten run against Chelsea in all competitions to 12 matches. Arsenal are joint top with Manchester City, both tied on nine points, while Chelsea are in fourth.

In the day’s earlier match, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, former Arsenal youngster, scored a 96th-minute equaliser to seal a 2-2 draw for Everton at home to Manchester United.

Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko had put the Red Devils ahead twice, but Tyrique George made it one-all before Maitland-Niles, on his Everton debut, broke Man United’s hearts.