Ten-man Arsenal twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw at Chelsea despite a nightmare return to Stamford Bridge for David Luiz.
The Brazilian was sent-off after just 26 minutes for hauling down Tammy Abraham and Jorginho converted the resulting penalty.
However, Chelsea’s struggles at the Bridge continued and they offered another lifeline to those challenging for a top-four finish, with Gabriel Martinelli allowed to run almost the length of the field to equalise midway through the second half.
Cesar Azpilicueta had appeared to end Arsenal’s resistence six minutes from time, but Hector Bellerin levelled once more in a thrilling finale.
A point extends Chelsea’s lead over Manchester United in fifth to six points, but the Red Devils can cut that gap to three with victory over Burnley on Wednesday.
Arsenal remain in 10th, 10 points behind their hosts, and despite admitting before the match that his side had to win to maintain any hope of securing a return to the Champions League, Mikel Arteta will be proud of the spirit showed by the visitors.
Frank Lampard’s men have now won just four of their last 12 league games, including home defeats to West Ham, Bournemouth and Southampton, and they were again guilty of a lack of creativity at one end and defensive lapses at the other.