Premier League leaders Chelsea beat London rivals Arsenal 2-1 with goals from Spaniards Fernando Torres and Juan Mata on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten start to the season while handing Arsenal their first defeat.

Both Chelsea goals came as a result of Mata free kicks with Torres benefiting from some poor defending by Laurent Koscielny to volley the European champions ahead at the Emirates Stadium after 20 minutes.

Gervinho equalised for Arsenal three minutes before the break when he turned crisply and fired into the roof of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

Chelsea, who started with John Terry as he mulls an appeal over a four-game ban for racist abuse, regained the lead after 53 minutes when Mata’s free kick eluded everyone before clipping Koscielny and flying in past Arsenal keeper Vito Mannone.

The victory lifted Chelsea four points clear at the top. The lead could however be cut short after the completion of week day 6 matches.