Guus Hiddink was delighted with Chelsea's 1-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday but felt his players could have looked to kill off the contest.

The Blues played with an extra man for much of the encounter at the Emirates Stadium after Per Mertesacker was sent off for bringing down Diego Costa in the 18th minute when the striker was through on goal.

Costa then volleyed home Branislav Ivanovic's cross five minutes later in what was the only goal of a tight affair in North London which Hiddink felt his side really should have won more comfortably.

However, the Dutchman was thrilled to come away with a win of the pre-round league leaders regardless of his slight criticism.

"I am very pleased with the attitude of the team," he said.

"I'm also pleased with the way the team tried to play – it was not just reactive, but proactive in the first part of the first half.

"We showed ambition to go forwards. We had one or two good chances through Willian The team showed its ambition and that was pleasing against an opponent who are very skilful even with one man down. They always have the ability to surprise so we were very pleased to see the attitude and also the way of playing.

"The only thing you can criticise is that we didn't go for the kill to make it 2-0. There were a lot of options in both halves and then there could be a loose ball from a corner or whatever which could have caused an equaliser.

"That's the only thing we didn't do that we can be critical of."