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Reuters
Reuters
Sport
Rik Sharma

Chelsea earn late comeback win over Arsenal after Leno blunder

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Chelsea's Tammy Abraham celebrates after the match with Callum Hudson-Odoi Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea produced a stunning late comeback to beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday, consigning Mikel Arteta to defeat on his home debut as coach of the north London side.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the hosts the lead in the 13th minute but Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno's howler handed Jorginho an equaliser on a plate after 83 minutes.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Arsenal's David Luiz in action as Chelsea's Willian looks on REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Four minutes later, Tammy Abraham settled a bad-tempered London derby when he turned in the box and drilled through the hapless Leno's legs.

Arsenal, 12th, started with great intensity, forcing Frank Lampard's tired-looking Chelsea back, until Aubameyang broke the deadlock after 13 minutes with an acrobatic header.

Lampard brought on Jorginho after 34 minutes and changed from a 3-4-3 formation to 4-3-3, as he did on Boxing Day against Southampton, and it helped the visitors find a foothold at a fired-up Emirates Stadium.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and teammates look dejected after the match REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Fourth-place Chelsea, who lost five of their previous seven league games, had the better of the second half and when Leno blundered they quickly turned the screw to leave Arteta still hunting for his first win, following a draw at Bournemouth.

After Aubameyang's opener, Alexandre Lacazette came close to adding a second but N'Golo Kante made a vital interception in front of goal.

The hosts showed more spark than in recent weeks but could not capitalise and Jorginho's presence helped Chelsea turn the game around after the break.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds their fans after the match REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

"I give credit to the boys, credit to Jorginho," said Chelsea striker Abraham. "In the first 30 minutes they dominated the ball... then this man (Jorginho) comes on and it's a whole different ball game. Him coming on lifted us as a team."

Abraham saw one effort blocked and another saved by Leno in the second half, while Arsenal substitute Joe Willock fired narrowly wide.

Arsenal complained when Jorginho, already booked, brought down Lucas Torreira, but referee Craig Pawson did not issue a second yellow card.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Then with the clock ticking down Leno missed his punch as he tried to reach Mason Mount's free kick, allowing Jorginho a simple tap-in at the far post.

Abraham and Willian broke at lightning pace and combined for the English striker to net the second against a shell-shocked Arsenal, his 12th league goal of the campaign.

For the first time since 1959, Arsenal suffered a fourth consecutive home defeat, across all competitions.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Chelsea's Tammy Abraham celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

"I'm really disappointed with the result and the way we conceded the goals and the timing of it as well," said Arteta.

"I'm pleased with a lot of things we trained on and saw in the game, but disappointed with the result. We have to move on."

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Chelsea's Tammy Abraham celebrates after the match with Callum Hudson-Odoi Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

(Editing by Christian Radnedge and Nick Macfie)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Chelsea's Tammy Abraham celebrates after the match with Callum Hudson-Odoi Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Chelsea manager Frank Lampard celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Chelsea manager Frank Lampard celebrates with their players after the match Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Chelsea manager Frank Lampard celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - December 29, 2019 Chelsea's Tammy Abraham and Mateo Kovacic celebrate after the match Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
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