LONDON - First-half goals from Didier Drogba earned Chelsea a 2-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, securing them a return to the top of the Premier League two points ahead of Manchester United.

The big Ivory Coast striker was left unmarked at the far post in the eighth minute and simply poked home beleaguered captain John Terry's header from a Florent Malouda corner.

Fifteen minutes later he struck again after a speedy counter-attacking move from Frank Lampard found him on the right of the area. Drogba stepped inside Arsenal full back Gael Clichy and gave goalkeeper Manuel Almunia no chance.

The result, following a 3-1 defeat at home by Manchester United last weekend, leaves Arsenal nine points adrift of Chelsea and seven behind the champions.