Timber Header Fires Arsenal Past Chelsea, Five Points Clear in Title Race

By Eppe Franklyne

• Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 in tense London derby
• Jurrien Timber scores winner from Declan Rice corner
• Gunners move five points clear of Manchester City

Arsenal tightened their grip on the 2025-26 Premier League title race with a nervy 2-1 victory over London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

A 66th-minute header from Jurrien Timber, following a corner delivered by Declan Rice, secured three vital points for Mikel Arteta’s men in a tense encounter at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners had taken the lead in the 21st minute when defender William Saliba converted from a well-worked corner routine. However, an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime brought Chelsea level and set up a nervy second half.

Arsenal restored their advantage through another set-piece, continuing a trend that has made them one of the league’s most dangerous teams from corners this season. Both goals came from dead-ball situations, taking their tally to 16 league goals from corners — joint-most by any side in a single campaign.

Chelsea’s hopes of extending their six-match unbeaten league run under manager Liam Rosenior suffered a further blow when Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card. Despite being reduced to 10 men, the Blues pushed late on, with substitute Alejandro Garnacho nearly equalising before an offside flag denied Liam Delap a dramatic finish.

With the win, Arsenal moved to 64 points from 29 games, five ahead of defending champion Manchester City, who have a game in hand. As the title run-in enters its final nine matches, Arteta’s side remain firmly in control, edging closer to what would be their first league crown since 2004.