by Al
27. October 2011 11:28
London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal have played out some thrilling encounters over the years, and with this Saturday's clash at Stamford Bridge in mind, we've been looking back at some classic moments between the two sides. From Kerry Dixon to Nigel Winterburn, here are five of the best.
*Remember to open video links in a new tab.
'Chelsea are back'
On the opening day of the 1984/85 season, newly promoted Chelsea claim to have taken 20,000 supporters to Highbury. 'Chelsea are back', sang hoards of Blues fans as Kerry Dixon smashed the ball past Arsenal goalkeeper Pat Jennings in front of the Clock End for Chelsea's memorable equaliser.
Kanu believe it?
Nwankwo Kanu was capable of amazing things in his pomp, and this brilliant hat-trick at Stamford Bridge in 1999 remains a treasured memory for Arsenal fans. Tore Andre Flo and the unlikely Dan Petrescu had capitalized on some uncharacteristically slack marking from Arsenal's fabled Adams/Keown centre-half axis to put Chelsea 2-0 up, but with 15 minutes to go, Kanu inspired a remarkable Arsenal comeback. A pulsating finale came to a head in the 90th minute when Kanu shimmied past Chelsea keeper Ed De Goey and curled home a sensational winner from an impossibly acute angle.
Winterburn wonder strike
Kanu's 1999 hat-trick was preceded by another dramatic 3-2 Arsenal win at Stamford Bridge in 1997. This match looked destined for a draw when Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn (pictured above) - who scored a meager total of 12 goals in 578 appearances for the Gunners – made himself an improbable hero with this spectacular 35-yarder in the 89th minute. Note Emmanuel Petit's cheeky trip on a Chelsea player in the build up at 0.13 seconds.
Wayne Bridge's finest hour
A sensational late winner from a Chelsea left-back this time. Remember when Wayne Bridge used to play football? His career hasn't exactly blossomed in recent years, but on the night of April 6th 2004 he made himself a hero. With extra-time looming in the second-leg of this Champions League quarter-final at Highbury, Bridge came galloping forward, exchanged passes with Eidur Gudjohnsen, and drilled the ball into the net to send Claudio Ranieri's side through to the semis.
2007 Carling Cup Final
Chelsea's Didier Drogba has dominated this fixture in recent years, netting 13 goals against the Blues' London rivals. Indeed, the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker will be breathing a sigh of relief at the Ivorian's suspension this Saturday. This Carling Cup final back in 2007 was marred by a mass brawl that saw three players sent off in injury time, but the lasting memory for Blues fans is the Drogba brace that cancelled out Theo Walcott's opener to hand them a 2-1 victory.
---
To keep up with Icons, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Subscribe