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| Chelsea defeats Arsenal to lift Europa League Cup, end Arsenal's hope of Champions League football next season. |
The competition’s top scorer Olivier Giroud managed a goal and assist, as did Eden Hazard who scored twice, while Pedro netted the other, rendering Alex Iwobi’s stunner to consolation status.
The disappointingly low and relatively unenthusiastic crowd had nothing of note to lift their spirits throughout an uninspiring opening half.
A blistering Granit Xhaka drive from distance clipped the top of the crossbar on 27 minutes, while all Chelsea could muster in response was a Giroud effort which Petr Čech saved well low to his left.
The second half was a swift improvement though and after just four minutes of it, Chelsea hit the front when Emerson crossed for Giroud to stoop and steer a fantastic diving header beyond his former teammate between the posts.
Things got worse for Unai Emery’s men on the hour-mark when Hazard found room on the left and teed up Pedro, whose connection may not have been the cleanest but the Spaniard managed to direct the ball into the corner.
There was no way back for Arsenal after that, even more so when the Blues made it three five minutes later as Hazard chipped with a potential farewell strike from the penalty spot after Ainsley Maitland-Niles brought down Giroud.
Substitute Iwobi pulled one back moments after coming off the bench with a beautiful volley from the edge of the area but Chelsea swiftly restored their three-goal advantage just two minutes later.
After winning the ball in Arsenal territory, the ball broke to Giroud on the left and he provided Hazard with the perfect cross to slam in a fourth from close range and wrap things up in emphatic fashion.