Didier Drogba just loves to score against Arsenal and yesterday's double helped end a difficult week for the Blues.

In fact, the Ivorian's netted a dozen goals against the Gunners since his arrival at Chelsea in 2004, with yesterday's brace taking us back to the top of the table.

And there was nearly a hat-trick when Drogba lined-up a freekick identical to the one he scored in north London earlier this season, but this time the ball ricocheted back off the bar.

'That's why you always have to wait for the ball to cross the line before you celebrate,' explained Drogba.

'But it was a really important win for us because Manchester United won and they were in front of us [in the League], so we had to show we are here to fight for the title.'

It was a strong Chelsea performance, one which drowned out a Gunners side controlling possession but never really looking likely to score.

It was a display which both Arsene Wenger and Drogba labelled 'efficient' after the game as we counter-attacked productively against the north London outfit.

'They did well,' added the goalscorer, 'in the second half they made us run, but at the end we were really compact and if you stay strong and compact then you always have the chance to counter-attack and score goals.

'We took our chances, you don't need to create a lot of chances to win a game, sometimes you create a lot and you don't score. We were efficient in everything we did.'

But what about his goal tally against the Gunners? Drogba had already netted twice against the side this season as he went into yesterday's game and has enjoyed celebrating with Arsenal watching on many times before.

'You always need to create good chances and it is not easy against this team but I don't give up, I always try. I don't know if there's a reason why I always score against Arsenal, but I am happy to do it for the team,' reported our number 11.

'And obviously I am happy to score goals against Arsenal again but the most important thing is that we're top of the League.'

There was a lot of pressure surrounding the Blues yesterday. Our captain had spent the week embroiled in media speculation while Chelsea went into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Hull.

Meanwhile, Manchester United had moved to top of the table following a 5-0 thumping of Portsmouth, even if it was helped along by three own-goals.

'It was a difficult week for us, for all the club, but we stayed together, focused on the game and kept moving forward.

'At the end of last week, John scored the winner against Burnley and today he gave me the open goal.

'No matter what's happening outside of football, on the pitch he is a great player and he is doing everything he can. He is our captain, a great captain, and we owe him.

'But there is always pressure, that's part of the game, and that's why we get excited about big matches like this.

'This weekend we are top of the League again and Manchester United are going to have to fight all the way to the title.

'Now we have to go to Everton and win there if we want to stay top of the League and win this race against Manchester United.'

Tickets for Wednesday's game at Everton are now ONLY on sale in person at the box office until Tuesday at 12 noon.