Chelsea and Arsenal have been London's dominant forces since the Premier League began and this was undoubtedly one of the most dramatic matches ever between the two sides.

It was the manner of the Nigerian's three-goal salvo that had the press and public alike waxing lyrical about this player's unorthodox talents.

Gianfranco Zola and Gustavo Poyet, two imports who lit up the Premier League during their time in England, were both restricted to a place on the bench, while Arsenal were without the suspended Patrick Vieira and the injured Dennis Bergkamp. The Dutchman had damaged a thigh a few days earlier in a 4-2 Champions League defeat to Barcelona at Wembley Stadium. In his absence, Davor Suker partnered Kanu up front.

Chelsea probably deserved the lead they secured six minutes before half-time. Norway international Flo rose above two Arsenal defenders to meet Petrescu's cross and headed beyond David Seaman.

It was 2-0 six minutes after the break. Another cross from the flank, this time by Graeme Le Saux, was fired in by Petrescu. "We want five," was the chant from some Chelsea supporters. They would be granted that number, but not in the desired form.

It was Thierry Henry's debut season for Arsenal, and he was introduced by Arsene Wenger for Freddie Ljungberg. Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli opted to substitute Flo with 20 minutes remaining after the striker had threatened to make it 3-0 with a low drive on the run.

Arsenal got themselves back into the match on 75 minutes when a mis-hit shot from Marc Overmars fell to Kanu who cooly shot past Ed de Goey. That was the first home Premier League goal the Dutchman had conceded.

He would let in his second when Poyet missed an Overmars cross and Kanu drove his shot to the left of de Goey to make it 2-2.The unthinkable was happening, although Chris Sutton briefly threatened to restore Chelsea's lead only to be denied by a challenge from Martin Keown.

Kanu saved his best until last. A stunned 34,958 crowd on a soaking wet day at Stamford Bridge were treated to one of the goals of the season. In the dying seconds Kanu closed down a clearance and found himself on the touchline near the corner flag when confronted by de Goey who had raced out of his goal to confront the Nigerian. Kanu sidestepped the goalkeeper, just keeping the ball in play, before curling his shot over the heads of Marcel Desailly and Frank Leboeuf and into the net from an acute angle. The Arsenal bench jigged with delight as Henry ran to embrace Kanu.

"It was an amazing goal," Wenger said. "I was surprised because I thought he was going to cross it, but he plays his own game. Great players do."

On his side's unlikely comeback, he added: "I thought the game was over and to lose again would have caused us huge damage psychologically. It was my birthday today. After that, I feel like I'm 60."

Vialli also had praise for Kanu: "He is very good player.

"Sometimes you feel he is not taking part in the game and then he pulls something out of his sleeve. He's a very dangerous player.

"I still don't believe it. I am still in shock. We should have won that match after the way we played for 75 minutes but we have paid a heavy price for a couple of mistakes.

"For 15 minutes we did not play at our best and that cost us the game.

"Against the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and strong opposition like that, you have to be at your best for 90 minutes."

Chelsea: De Goey, Ferrer, Desailly, Leboeuf, Babayaro, Petrescu, Deschamps, Wise, Le Saux (Poyet 54), Flo (Zola 70), Sutton.
Subs not used: Hogh, Morris, Cudicini.

Goals: Flo 39, Petrescu 51.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Silvinho, Ljungberg (Henry 64), Parlour, Petit (Vivas 66), Overmars (Vernazza 90), Suker, Kanu.
Subs not used: Manninger, Upson.

Goals: Kanu 75, 83, 90.