Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea

Chelsea stifled the life out of Arsenal to take a point at the Emirates – extending Jose Mourinho's unbeaten run against Arsene Wenger to 10 games.

It means they go into post-Christmas handily placed in fourth – just two points behind Liverpool and the Gunners.

Not for the first time in encounters against Arsenal, Mourinho chose to restrict the opposition rather than meet adventure with unfettered creativity. But he will say the end justified the means, even if home fans were chanting 'boring, boring Chelsea' at the end.

The Chelsea boss chose three holding midfielders at the outset – Ramires, Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel - reasoning that what was worked in many of the previous unbeaten matches against Wenger would work again.

And no-one would say it was misguided when the best chances still seemed to come the Blues' way – Lampard unlucky to volley against the underside of the cross bar after getting on the end of a perfect dink over the back line from Eden Hazard.

In truth, there was a bit of luck needed to keep the game scoreless before the interval though, with Mikel sending Theo Walcott to the deck in the penalty area.

But the way Chelsea were set up, Arsenal looked more vulnerable on the break than Chelsea did in normal play and one counter-attack from Hazard played Willian in for a low shot that almost broke the deadlock before the break. Earlier, Ramires headed a Willian cross just over.

After the break, the stalemate served to increase frustrations and ref Mike Dean had to reach for yellow cards for the first time – Ramires, Walcott and Thomas Rosicky cautioned in quick succession.

Mesut Ozil, quiet for most of the night when Arsenal needed him most, took exception when Branislav Ivanovic went in hard and tempers flared.

But the spectacle failed to ignite in the swirling wind and rain that had plenty of fans thinking about their journey home long before the end.

Olivier Giround was another player who did not unduly alarm the Blues, but he set a few hearts racing when an Aaron Ramsey chip invited him to test Petr Cech.

The Frenchman miscued and the ball went wide. It summed up a forgettable night. He went closer when sliding onto a Kieran Gibbs cross – Cech getting his body in the way.

It was all very reminiscent of Chelsea's early season visit to Man United, as Mourinho shut up shop – Fernando Torres giving way to David Luiz, which ensured the midfield stayed nice and congested until the very end.

Cesar Azpilicueta was needed for a goalline clearance at a late corner, but the Blues did not have to endure too many anxious moments.


Line-up: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Mikel, Lampard; Willian (Oscar 77), Hazard (Schurrle 73); Torres (David Luiz 87) . Subs not used: Schwarzer, Cole, Mata, Eto'o.

Attendance: 60,039