Serena serves up Higuain becomes glamour spar with Europe’s top rival Sharapova scorer

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Cavs gored by Bulls as Tyronn fails on debut Page 17 It had to be Costa: Spaniard halts Arsenal’s title charge Reckless Per sees red in 18th minute

qualification remains an unlikely goal, Costa to find himself centre-stage and this was further proof that, even without barely a minute after Gabriel’s Arsenal 0 the departed Jose Mourinho, they con- entrance, he stole between the tinue to hold the Indian sign over Brazilian and Koscielny to convert Arsenal. Branislav Ivanovic’s cross with an adroit Arsenal recalled Mesut Ozil after he near-post volley. The Spain striker Chelsea 1 missed the 0-0 draw at Stoke City with threatened to add a second before a sore foot and he was a typical half-time, but after gathering Willian’s buzzing presence as the hosts forced square pass with a clever touch that LONDON: scored as their opponents back early on. But took him past Nacho Monreal, his shot Chelsea renewed their hold over Arsenal Arsenal lacked precision in the final was repelled by Cech. with a 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium third, Joel Campbell miscuing a volley From the ensuing corner, Ivanovic’s on Sunday that dented their London from ’s cross and Mathieu header was headed off the line by rivals’ title hopes. Costa Flamini slipping as he attempted to Monreal. Arsenal finally got in behind had been the central figure in Chelsea’s shoot, and the best chances fell to Chelsea in first-half stoppage time 2-0 win over Arsenal in September, Chelsea. when Aaron Ramsey clipped a pass when he goaded Gabriel into getting In the second minute, Petr Cech had into the area for Flamini, but the sent off, and he drew the foul that saw to drop to his right to turn a shot from Frenchman-not renowned for his Per Mertesacker dismissed in the 18th Oscar around the post after Laurent penalty-box prowess-jabbed a volley minute before neatly converting the Koscielny had tamely conceded pos- over. With Chelsea continuing to probe game’s only goal five minutes later. session. When Cesar Azpilicueta in the second half-ex-Arsenal favorite It was Arsenal’s first defeat in 10 crossed from the left, Willian was given Cesc Fabregas seeing a strong penalty home league games and left Arsene two bites at the cherry, seeing his initial claim waved away after being impeded Wenger’s side in third place, below volley scuffed back to him by by Koscielny-Wenger turned to Manchester City on goal difference and Mertesacker and then putting his fol- Sanchez. three points shy of leaders Leicester low-up straight at Cech. In the 18th The Chilean, sidelined for 10 match- City. Chelsea rose one place to 13th, minute came the game’s decisive es with a hamstring injury, replaced calming any relegation concerns, after moment. Costa reached Willian’s Campbell and spurned a chance to lev- only their second win in six league through-ball just ahead of Mertesacker el when he took an airshot as the ball games under interim manager Guus and with the German already commit- ricocheted around the Chelsea box fol- Hiddink. Arsenal, who welcomed Alexis ted to a sliding tackle, the Chelsea strik- lowing a free-kick. Costa departed, Sanchez back from injury, have now er tumbled and referee Mark beneath a hail of boos, in the 68th gone nine league games without beat- Clattenburg brandished the red card. minute, with Loic Remy coming on, ing Chelsea, during which they have not while Eden Hazard made his return fol- scored in over nine and a half hours, and Hazard returns lowing a three-game groin injury lay- their latest failure left them without a Gabriel, sent off for kicking Costa in off as a replacement for Oscar. With win in three league games. September, unsurprisingly came on to Wenger watching anxiously from the plug the gap, but there were boos corner of his technical area, a late Europe still unlikely when the number held up on the chance fell to Flamini, but his deflected LONDON: Arsenal's Spanish defender Nacho Monreal (L) vies with Chelsea's Serbian defender Chelsea remain 14 points below the fourth official’s electronic board was back-heel was fielded by Chelsea goal- Branislav Ivanovic during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea top four, but while Champions League striker ’s. It was typical of keeper Thibaut Courtois. — AFP at the Emirates Stadium yesterday — AFP