Jump directly to the content
N'GOLO POINT

Chelsea slouch N’Golo Kante outpaced by 31-year-old referee Michael Oliver for two of Arsenal’s goals in Premier League drubbing

Leicester's former midfield running machine was left for dead twice by the man in black for the Gunners' first and third goals

N’GOLO Kante was outpaced by REFEREE Michael Oliver for TWO of Arsenal’s goals against beleaguered Chelsea on Saturday.

The all-action £32 million Frenchman was left for dead by the man in black for the opening goal by Gunners ace Alexis Sanchez and for Mesut Ozil’s insult adding third in the damaging defeat.

N'Golo Kante was at least 10 yards ahead of Michael Oliver when Gary Cahill first got on the ball on the brink of his error
8
N'Golo Kante was at least 10 yards ahead of Michael Oliver when Gary Cahill first got on the ball on the brink of his errorCredit: Sky Sports
Gary Cahill's mistake sparks a race between N'Golo Kante and Michael Oliver
8
Gary Cahill's mistake sparks a race between N'Golo Kante and Michael OliverCredit: Sky Sports
As Alexis Sanchez was free with the ball and bearing down on Thibaut Courtois' goal Oliver was catching up
8
As Alexis Sanchez was free with the ball and bearing down on Thibaut Courtois' goal Oliver was catching upCredit: Sky Sports
As Sanchez took his final touch to dink the ball over Courtois, Oliver was miles ahead, bursting out of the centre circle with Kante trailing
8
As Sanchez took his final touch to dink the ball over Courtois, Oliver was miles ahead, bursting out of the centre circle with Kante trailingCredit: Sky Sports

On 11 minutes, when Gary Cahill lost his marbles in the Chelsea defence and gifted Sanchez the ball, Oliver and the former Leicester man were both in the Gunners' half with, Kante having a 10-yard head start.

But, by the time the Chilean has dinked the ball over Thibaut Courtois to give his side the lead, Oliver has surged past the trotting superstar and is about 15 yards ahead of him when the ball hits the back of the net.

And with five minutes left of the first half, Oliver did the double over the 25-year-old France international.

When Chelsea’s attacking move broke down at the feet of Cesc Fabregas, Oliver and Kante were level pegging around 35 yards from the Arsenal goal after Ozil had skinned the anchorman with a beautiful piece of skill.

Mesut Ozil's brilliant turn deep in the Arsenal was the starting gun for the next race between Oliver and Kante
8
Mesut Ozil's brilliant turn deep in the Arsenal was the starting gun for the next race between Oliver and KanteCredit: Sky Sports
As expected Kante was well ahead as it was his error that allowed Ozil to break away but he didn't fancy maintaining the pace
8
As expected Kante was well ahead as it was his error that allowed Ozil to break away but he didn't fancy maintaining the paceCredit: Sky Sports

RELATED STORIES:

Cristiano Ronaldo's uncle 'rushed to hospital after being hit by car' in UK
RONALDO SHOCK

Cristiano Ronaldo's uncle 'rushed to hospital after being hit by car' in UK

Clive Tyldesley reveals possible last ever live UK game that ‘won’t be dull’
AND IT'S CLIVE

Clive Tyldesley reveals possible last ever live UK game that ‘won’t be dull’

Hammers' wheelbarrow-pushing grafter Bowen should be England starter for Tuchel
BARROW BOY

Hammers' wheelbarrow-pushing grafter Bowen should be England starter for Tuchel

Diallo could be handed position change as Amorim puts stamp on Man Utd
AMAD IDEA

Diallo could be handed position change as Amorim puts stamp on Man Utd

But by the time Ozil and Alexis Sanchez had exchanged passes, Kante has given up and let the referee six years his senior take the lead
8
But by the time Ozil and Alexis Sanchez had exchanged passes, Kante has given up and let the referee six years his senior take the leadCredit: Sky Sports
And by the time Mesut Ozil had volleyed home to give his side a 3-0 lead Kante was stone last in his race again
8
And by the time Mesut Ozil had volleyed home to give his side a 3-0 lead Kante was stone last in his race againCredit: Sky Sports

The former La Havre man picked up the pace from a few yards but as the German surged away he downed tools and was overtaken by the 31-year-old official.

By the time Ozil and Sanchez had exchanged quick passes to bamboozle the Chelsea backline and finish off the move, the Premier League’s youngest ever ref – who made his debut at 25 – had eaten up the ground and made it into the busy Chelsea penalty box ahead of Kante.

Chelsea looked to have made a brilliant signing when they swooped for the super-fit Foxes star but he has been a big disappointment so far this season.

The one-time pocket rocket has looked leggy for Antonio Conte’s side and his dogged ball chasing and tackling hasn’t been as handy with the Blues dictating the majority of the play in their early outings.

Topics
YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU