Unofficial Champions of England: Arsenal 0-5 Chelsea, 11/11/1998

Champions Arsenal went on a four match run defending their Unofficial Championship, seeing off threats from former champions Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Derby County and Coventry City.

The fifth game was a League Cup tie against London rivals Chelsea. The Blues were on a decent run themselves, since an opening day defeat to Coventry they were unbeaten in their last 15 games in all competitions.

Chelsea took the lead in the 34th minute from a hotly contested penalty (what would an Arsenal-Chelsea game be without a little controversy?). Frank Leboeuf stepped up to calmly slot it home.

Chelsea ran away with it in the second half thanks to two goals apiece for Gianluca Vialli and Gustavo Poyet (though there is an argument Poyet's first should be credited as an own goal, I doubt Giles Grimandi will be too keen to claim it).

Arsenal fans will no doubt point to a much changed side for this game, however the history books will only show a 5-0 win for Chelsea at Highbury. And their third Unofficial Championship.

Unofficial Champions of England: Derby County 3-2 Chelsea, 01/03/1997

Derby celebrate Ashley Ward's winning goal

This was the era of 'Sexy Football' at Stamford Bridge, under the management of Dutch superstar Ruud Gullitt. With the likes of Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Di Matteo and Gianluca Vialli in their squad, on their day they could beat anyone.

Unfortunately, on the flip side of that they lacked consistency to make them real contenders so on their day, they could also be beaten by anyone.

It started well for Chelsea and at half-time they were ahead, Scott Minto scoring a nice first time effort from Paul Hughes low through-ball.

It didn't go quite so well in the second half for Chelsea or Minto. On 51 minutes Derby were level, a low ball across the penalty area being credited as a Minto own goal.
Chelsea did retake the lead through Frank Leboeuf but that lead lasted just eight minutes. Leboeuf continued a trend of Chelsea heroes becoming villains, handling the ball on the line to concede a penalty and earn himself a red card. Aljosa Asanovic stepped up to equalise from the spot.

As full time approached, Chelsea might have thought they'd done enough to collect a point but a ball broke loose in the penalty area and poacher Ashley Ward was on hand to win the game for Derby and their third English Championship.