The Dutchman beat fellow countryman Ed de Goey from just inside the box in the 32nd minute after Marc Overmars had diverted a long ball into his path.

The game was played a furious pace with tempers only just kept in check as the tackles flew in.

Frank Lebeouf and Bergkamp were shown the yellow card inside the first five minutes, and Chelsea's Dan Petrescu later joined them in the referee's book after being adjudged to have bodychecked Overmars.

Bergkamp made space for a left-foot shot after 12 minutes but it was straight at the 'keeper, who was down smartly soon after to keep out a low Overmars effort at the near post.

Arsenal found space behind the Chelsea defence on a number of occasions but their crosses were poor, with Ray Parlour over-hitting by several yards when free on the right.

Bergkamp's goal brought the home crowd to life but he was then given a final warning by the referee after a foul on Michael Duberry.

The Chelsea defender was unable to continue and Dane Bjaerne Goldbaek was sent on as a substitute.

But Bergkamp showed his quality just before the break with a superb ball to Overmars, who was foiled by Petrescu's outstretched leg as he tried to cut inside for a shot.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Winterburn, Parlour, Garde, Petit, Overmars, Anelka, Bergkamp. Subs: Vivas, Ljungberg, Manninger, Upson, Diawara.

Chelsea: De Goey, Leboeuf, Desailly, Duberry, Petrescu, Di Matteo, Wise, Le Saux, Babayaro, Vialli, Zola. Subs: Goldbaek, Terry, Hitchcock, Forssell, Morris.