Chelsea become prime challengers

The Ivory Coast striker scored two goals in eight minutes after Bacary Sagna had put the Gunners in front.

Drogba's goals stretched Chelsea's unbeaten home league record to 78 games - but more importantly meant they are within touching distance of Manchester United at the top of the table.

Chelsea leapfrogged Arsenal into second place and now sit five points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's side with seven games remaining.

Manchester United have yet to visit Stamford Bridge - and that fixture may have the ultimate say in the destination of the title this season.

Arsenal had been the last team to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in February 2004 - and it looked like a repeat was on the cards when Sagna headed home a corner from Cesc Fabregas in the 59th minute.

The goal looked to have put an end to Chelsea's interest in the title race but then Drogba found the kind of form which has made him one of the most feared strikers in Europe.

The striker equalised in the 73rd minute when the ball cannoned back off Frank Lampard into his path on the edge of the penalty area and he drilled home.

But Drogba was not finished and eight minutes later Joe Cole's free-kick fell to the striker eight yards out and he managed to bring the ball under control before despatching a right-foot shot that Manuel Almunia could only parry on its way into the net.

Drogba would have completed a sensational hat-trick moments later, only for Almunia to deny him with a superb save at his near post.