Arsenal Tops the League Table. Chelsea Nosedives to Relegation

Arsenal went top of the Premier League for the first time since February 2014 as headers from Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny defeated Everton.

After a cagey opening, the Gunners went ahead as Giroud met Mesut Ozil’s floated cross with a deft touch.

Koscielny doubled the lead two minutes later from Santi Cazorla’s ball in.

Ross Barkley’s deflected shot brought Everton back into it, but Romelu Lukaku wasted an excellent, if rare, chance to level as he headed against the bar.

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech denied Gerard Deulofeu late on, but the hosts also had their chances to make the scoreline more comfortable.

Everton’s miserable evening was compounded by Gareth Barry’s injury-time dismissal as he picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Kieran Gibbs.

• Aston Villa1 – 2SwanseaFT
• Leicester1 – 0Crystal PalaceFT
• Norwich0 – 1West BromFT
• Stoke0 – 2WatfordFT
• West Ham2 – 1ChelseaFT
• Arsenal2 – 1EvertonFT

Chelsea 1 – 2 West Ham

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho refused to speak to the media after he was sent to the stands during his side’s 2-1 defeat by West Ham.

The derby defeat was Chelsea’s fifth in their opening 10 league matches this season, and came after Mourinho, assistant first team coach Silvino Louro and midfielder Nemanja Matic were all sent off.

Chelsea had midfielder Nemanja Matic and manager Jose Mourinho sent off as Andy Carroll’s late winner dealt their faltering title defence another blow.

Mauro Zarate fired the Hammers in front when Chelsea failed to clear a corner.

Matic was sent off after being booked twice in nine minutes before the break, and Mourinho joined him after speaking to referee Jon Moss at half-time.

Gary Cahill levelled from a corner but Carroll met Aaron Cresswell’s cross to send the Hammers third in the table.

Chelsea, who have now lost five of their first 10 Premier League games this season, continue to languish in the bottom half.

As well as Matic and Mourinho, the Blues’ assistant first-team coach Silvino Louro was also dismissed.

Chelsea had five other players booked in a stormy east versus west London derby, the last to be played at Upton Park in the league before West Ham move to the Olympic Stadium next summer.

As It Stands Table

Position	Team	Played	GoalDifference	Points
View full table
No Movement1	Arsenal	10	10	22
No Movement2	Man City	9	16	21
No Movement3	West Ham	10	9	20
No Movement4	Man Utd	9	7	19
No Movement5	Leicester	10	3	19
No Movement6	Crystal Palace	10	1	15
No Movement7	Tottenham	9	4	14
No Movement8	West Brom	10	-3	14
No Movement9	Southampton	9	3	13
No Movement10	Everton	10	0	13
No Movement11	Swansea	10	0	13
No Movement12	Liverpool	9	-2	13
No Movement13	Watford	10	-2	13
No Movement14	Stoke	10	-3	12
No Movement15	Chelsea	10	-4	11
No Movement16	Norwich	10	-7	9
No Movement17	Bournemouth	9	-6	8
No Movement18	Newcastle	9	-7	6
No Movement19	Aston Villa	10	-8	4
No Movement20	Sunderland	9	-11	3