Key games: five crucial Chelsea victories

20/11: Arsenal 0 Chelsea 3: A brilliant brace from Didier Drogba and an own goal from Thomas Vermaelen put Chelsea 11 points…

20/11: Arsenal 0 Chelsea 3:A brilliant brace from Didier Drogba and an own goal from Thomas Vermaelen put Chelsea 11 points clear of their London rivals at the top of the Premier League.

It was a masterclass in tactical destruction as Arsenal failed to live with a Chelsea side that was now five points ahead of second-placed Manchester United.

24/03: Portsmouth 0 Chelsea 5

Free-flowing Chelsea bounced back from their Champions League exit at the hands of Inter Milan and a poor 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers to demolish bottom club Portsmouth and move into second place, just a point behind leaders Manchester United.

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03/04: Man United 1 Chelsea 2

In a season when Chelsea’s away form has been less than sparkling they produced a stunning display at Old Trafford with goals from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba, his 32nd of the season, sealing a crucial win. The victory put them back in charge of the title race as they leapfrogged United.

25/04: Chelsea 7 Stoke 0

Chelsea hit seven at home for the third time in the season to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of Tottenham the previous week. A hat-trick from Salomon Kalou and a brace from Frank Lampard, taking his tally to 25 for the season, kept them in front of chasing United.

02/05: Liverpool 0 Chelsea 2

Carlo Ancelotti completed a clean sweep over the “big four” sides with a fine 2-0 success at Anfield. Goals from Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba put Chelsea on course for their first title in 2006 and favourites for a historic league and FA Cup Double.