The Blues started off their marketing campaign brightly, scoring after just seven minutes by way of Willian, however ultimately needed to battle to a 1-0 win. On 15 May, a much-modified Chelsea facet were 4-three winners over Watford, with substitute Cesc Fàbregas finding the winner shortly earlier than the away aspect had a man despatched off, the other Blues goalscorers were John Terry, César Azpilicueta, and Michy Batshuayi. Their subsequent match was in opposition to PSV on the Philips Stadion, the place after eight minutes the home side took the lead. United took a fifteenth-minute lead by way of Mikaël Silvestre, but Henry equalised for Arsenal quickly after, from a free-kick. Chelsea took a 1-zero lead into half-time after a looping header from Antonio Rudiger, however a quickfire double from Anthony Martial within the second half put United in entrance; however, chelsea jerseys a 96th-minute equalizer from Ross Barkley saved Chelsea’s unbeaten season intact. However, the deal with the FA Cup paid dividends as Arsenal reached the «5 Minute Ultimate.» Arsenal’s toughest opponent in the run up had been Third Division aspect managed by Jack Charlton, Sheffield United. A disciplined display by Arsenal, nonetheless, noticed Arsène Wenger’s facet triumph and secure a Group Shield spot.

Arsenal discovered themselves a purpose down after 27 seconds, however responded with an equaliser in the fifteenth minute – Bergkamp’s «delicately curving cross» discovered Vieira on the left facet to shoot the ball previous goalkeeper Neil Sullivan. Vieira finished off a one-touch transfer to equalise for Arsenal – who were behind in the primary half – but Neil Mellor scored the winning goal of the sport, taking pictures from long vary. Chelsea played their third Champions League group stage match on 20 October towards Malmö, profitable 4-0. Jorginho scored two penalties and Andreas Christensen scored his first profession objective for Chelsea after 137 appearances. Chelsea have been twice drawn in opposition to Lille in the Champions League Round of 16, as the results of the initial draw were nullified after technical points. The winners of the League Cup in the 2003-04 season earnt entry into the UEFA Cup, unless they qualified for the UEFA Champions League by their league position. Arsenal had earned a place in the UEFA Cup with a fifth-place finish in the 1977-78 Football League. The standard of the articles is admittedly good and the writers they have actually capture the excitement of the game which form of separates them from different soccer blogs in our opinion.

After two cup exits within the area of every week, Arsenal confronted Liverpool on Good Friday at Highbury. The striker completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute, after good work by Bergkamp. A objective from Bergkamp earned Arsenal a 1-0 win the following week, at home to Blackburn Rovers. Arsenal continued their excellent begin to the season with an away win in opposition to Manchester City on 31 August 2003. As Campbell was suspended, Martin Keown got here into the primary workforce to associate Touré. By February 2003, Arsenal moved five points clear of Manchester United at the highest of the league desk, but injuries to key gamers, not least captain Patrick Vieira, had destabilised the workforce. Chelsea began the Premier League season with two consecutive wins in London derbies, first at house against Crystal Palace and then at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal. Rooney then scored United’s second purpose of the match to end Arsenal’s unbeaten run on 49 video games.

Spurs’ miserable report at Stamford Bridge was extended to 30 video games without a win – dating again to February 1990 – after Victor Moses scored what proved to be the winner six minutes after the restart. The team misplaced to Everton a month after Wenger’s proclamation; teenager Wayne Rooney scored the match winner, which ended a run of 30 league video games with out defeat. Cesc Fàbregas scored his first league purpose of the season in the 40th minute after an assist from Willian. Queudrue scored to place Middlesbrough 3-1 up in the 53rd minute, but Bergkamp replied with a aim for Arsenal a minute later. A curled effort from Spanish winger Pedro, and a penalty from Eden Hazard in the 49th minute successfully sealed the game for the hosts. Jeffers was sent off in the second half for kicking out at Phil Neville and no further objectives scored meant the outcome of the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out.