Premier League: Blues coast on Costa

Chelsea’s Diego Costa (left) celebrates with teammate Branislav Ivanovic after scoring in their EPL match against Arsenal in London on Sunday. Chelsea won 1-0. — AFP

Arsenal missed out on the chance to regain top spot in the Premier League after losing 0-1 at home to London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

Meanwhile Swansea gave new coach Francesco Guidolin victory in his first game in charge with a 2-1 win away to Everton as the Welsh club moved four points clear of the relegation zone.

At the Emirates, Arsenal were reduced to 10 men in the 18th minute when Per Mertesacker was sent off for a challenge on Chelsea striker Diego Costa, with referee Mark Clattenburg ruling the Gunners defender was the last man.

Four minutes later, Costa gave Chelsea the lead when he got on the end of a Branislav Ivanovic cross at the near post.

Arsenal’s defeat left them in third spot, three points behind shock leaders Leicester City, while Chelsea moved up into 13th place.

For all their contrasting fortunes this season, Chelsea are now unbeaten in nine league games against Arsenal and Blues skipper John Terry told Sky Sports: “It is a good three points and gets us up the league. We’ve drawn too may of late so we needed to pick up three points

Swansea went ahead though Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 17th-minute penalty but Everton were level nine minutes later when Gareth Barry’s near-post flick was turned into his own net by the Swans' Jack Cork.

But Swansea regained the lead in the 34th minute. Left-back Neil Taylor burst clear and released Andre Ayew, whose shot deflected in off the sliding John Stones. This was a notable win for Swansea as they had recorded back-to-back league successes for the first time this season following last week’s 0-1 defeat of Watford.