LONDON -- Chelsea ended its barren run at home by holding off a second-half fightback by Arsenal to win 2-1 on Sunday, tightening the teams grip on third place in the Premier League and leaving its London rival struggling to make the top four. Juan Matas excellent finish and a penalty from Frank Lampard gave Chelsea a two-goal lead after only 16 minutes as Arsenals frail defence wilted under gentle but regular snowfall at Stamford Bridge. The visitors couldnt help but improve in the second half and a 58th-minute goal by winger Theo Walcott -- signed up on Friday for a further 3 1/2 years at the club -- offered them hope of at least a draw. Aided by some desperate defending, Chelsea hung on for only its third win in eight home matches -- and first in four in all competitions -- under interim manager Rafa Benitez. The European champions remain favourites to take the final automatic Champions League qualification spot behind the Manchester clubs, who are battling for the title. "We are doing well and progressing," said Benitez, whose teams fast start meant he avoided the kind of crowd abuse that has marred his first two months at Chelsea. Arsenal failed to recover from the damage inflicted by its dreadful first-half showing -- arguably its worst 45 minutes of the season -- and is now 11 points behind Chelsea. Finishing in the Champions League positions is far from guaranteed for Arsene Wengers side, which has been a fixture in Europes top competition for the past 15 years. "The table is the table," Wenger said, bemoaning a second straight slow start following on from the 2-0 home loss to City last weekend. "We have lost two big games in the last week. Thats damaging for us. We cant afford to lose more points. Its a concern." Lacking leaders, defensively weak and failing to show the same work rate and hunger as its opponent, Arsenal was picked off time and again by Chelseas effervescent midfield -- led by Mata -- in the first half. It should have been worse than 2-0 at halftime and Wenger had a face like thunder throughout the half. "We only came into the game when we were 2-0 down -- thats worrying," Wenger said. Matas goal came after Ramires escaped punishment for a foul on Francis Coquelin in the centre circle. While Arsenals players protested, Cesar Azpilicueta lofted a ball over the visiting defence to Mata, who controlled expertly and fired a shot high into the net with Bacary Sagna trailing in his wake. It was all Chelsea and Lampard made it 2-0 after Ramires tumbled under a challenge by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who as last man was fortunate to only receive a yellow card. The penalty was dispatched low into the corner for the midfielders 195th goal for the club, leaving him seven behind Bobby Tamblings all-time record. More chants of "Sign him up" came from the Chelsea fans, frustrated at the club hierarchys apparent decision to let his contract run down this summer. Ramires and the subdued Fernando Torres, recalled in place of Demba Ba, skied shots over as Chelsea toyed with Arsenal before the interval but the second half couldnt have been more different. Chelsea surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Southampton on Wednesday, virtually dashing the teams slim title hopes, and the same nearly happened five days on. Walcott made it 11 goals in his last 15 appearances by running onto Santi Cazorlas perfectly weighted through ball and sidefooting a lofted finish past goalkeeper Petr Cech, sparking an all-out offensive from Arsenal. Suddenly it was Wengers team first to every ball as the home crowd became nervous but the equalizer never came, with Chelseas defence -- again missing the fit-again John Terry -- holding form. "It was very hard, the second 45 minutes," Mata said. "We were defending until the last minute." cheap jerseys from china . First up, the Vancouver Canucks. The Vancouver Canucks, on paper, are by far Canadas top team and the best hope to contend for the Stanley Cup, but even coach Alain Vigneaults talented club has a long list of questions heading into training camp. wholesale nfl jerseys . -- Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Clint Session is preparing for the worst. http://www.chinanfljerseyswholesal... . The top-ranked McMaster Marauders defeated the No. 6 University of Western Ontario Mustangs 33-27 on Saturday in Canadian university football action. [url=http://www.chinanfljerseyswholesale.com/]wholesale jerseys from china . The designated player was acquired in a trade with the Vancouver Whitecaps on July 20 after Danny Koevermans was lost for the season with a knee injury. cheap nfl jerseys china . JOSEPH, Mo. TORONTO -- He was a rugged defensive lineman who earned a Grey Cup ring with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before becoming a captain on the Toronto Argonauts famed "Dirty Dozen" defence. On Friday, former defensive tackle Bruce Smith died. He was 63. Smith had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and recently was admitted into a Toronto hospital. Smith played his college football at Colorado before beginning his CFL career with Hamilton in 1972. The native of Huntsville, Texas, was a member of the Ticats squad that defeated Saskatchewan 13-10 at Ivor Wynne Stadium in the Grey Cup game that season. But Smith readily admitted he came to Canada with a chip on his shoulder as a result of the racism he had faced earlier on in his life, and that hampered him early in his CFL career. After the 72 season, Smith spent time with Edmonton and Ottawa before arriving in Toronto. He spent four seasons with the Argos (1976-79) before leaving football and retiring. Although Toronto posted losing records in each of the four years Smith was there, he and fellow teammates Granville (Granny) Liggins and Ecomet Burley helped anchor the teams "Dirty Dozen" defence, a unit that despite the squads losing ways was still one of the CFLs best. Smith dressed in 44 regular-season games with Toronto. "The key to our defensive success was (assiistant coach) Lamar Leachman," Smith recalled in a 1996 story on the Argos website.dddddddddddd "He was a coach ahead of his time, and he certainly made me the best player that I could become." Despite the losing seasons, Smith always had fond memories of his time in an Argos uniform. "It was some fun times; I remember that the Argos were a hot ticket," he said. "I liked living in Canada and the people here. "Canada was much more an area of tolerance. People here just tend to get along." That wasnt always the case when Smith was growing up in and experienced racism. "I grew up in a totally segregated situation," said Smith. "(In Canada), people treat you on your own merits." After football, Smith settled in Toronto and became a salesman with Canada Trust. He was a top seller in five of his six years there before ultimately establishing his own real estate firm, Bruce Smith Realty, in 1987. Smith was also a man of faith, serving as the Chaplain for King Bay Chaplaincy and Upper Canada Colleges Chaplain Service. He spent a lot of time as a public speaker and was a childrens book author. "They used to call me the grizzly bear, but now Im the panda bear," Smith said with a chuckle. Smith is survived by his wife, Shirley, and children Courtne and Coby. ' ' '