Gunners manager shoves Blues boss Mourinho in a heated exchange over an on-field tackle as Blues cruise with 2-0 victory at home
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho tells Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to "back off" during the tie. Pics/Getty Images
London: Arsene Wenger shoved Jose Mourinho as their long-running feud turned physical in a 2-0 win which saw Chelsea take a five-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho tells Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to "back off" during the tie. Pics/Getty Images
Wenger refused to take a backwards step in the 20th minute after leaving his technical area following Gary Cahill's tackle from behind on Alexis Sanchez.
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Mourinho told the Frenchman to "back off" as their rivalry endured another ugly episode, with the Gunners boss firmly planting two hands on the Portuguese's chest — risking Football Association disciplinary action — and the pair also eye-balling each other closely.
Wenger was angered when Mourinho leapt from the dug-out to remonstrate after Arsenal forward Sanchez went down under a challenge from Gary Cahill mid-way through the first half, and pushed the Portuguese in the chest.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa celebrates with teammate John Obi Mikel after scoring against Arsenal in an EPL match at Stamford Bridge yesterday
The two men were separated by referee Martin Atkinson, but continued to exchange words afterwards. Sanchez had earlier clattered Thibaut Courtois in the head in challenging for the ball, with the goalkeeper playing having to leave later for precautionary tests.
Petr Cech was on the field when Chelsea took the lead through an Eden Hazard penalty (27th min) awarded after he was felled by Laurent Koscielny.
Cesc Fabregas might have conceded a penalty for handball before the former Arsenal captain played a fine flighted pass to allow Diego Costa to net his ninth EPL goal (78th min) so far.
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