The Premier League has witnessed some cracking London derbies over the years. From high scoring, scintillating clashes to feisty affairs and cup finals, this fixture has had it all. We’ve taken a trip down memory lane to relive some of the most thrilling meetings between Chelsea and Tottenham.
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Chelsea 4-2 Tottenham, 2003 – Adrian Mutu Magic
The 2003 arrival of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich would alter the future of Chelsea Football Club. The takeover saw some massive names from across Europe flocking to Stamford Bridge, including the Romanian magician Adrian Mutu. After Freddie Kanoute fired Spurs into the lead, it was goals from Frank Lampard and Mutu that re-established Chelsea’s advantage.
Spurs had already acquired an unwanted poor streak against their rivals, but this match was a sign of things to come. A wonderful attacking display from the Blues in the club’s biggest game since the new owner’s arrival.
Tottenham 5-3 Chelsea, 2015 – New Year’s Day Drubbing
It had been nearly five years since beating their rivals when Spurs welcomed Chelsea to White Hart Lane on New Year’s Day. Jose Mourinho’s Blues were frontrunners in the Premier League, and many expected them to continue their dominance in this fixture. But Harry Kane, and rather surprisingly Nacer Chadli, had other ideas.
Diego Costa’s early tap in was cancelled out by three goals in 15 minutes to end the first half. The pick of the bunch came from the sensational right boot of Harry Kane, leaving Thibaut Courtois helpless. It took just seven second half minutes for Spurs to put the game beyond Chelsea, as Kane swept home another, and Chadli smothered any dying embers of Chelsea hope with 10 minutes to play. After some fairly drab affairs over the past couple of years, it’s easy to forget that Chelsea vs Spurs used to provide some of the most enchanting end-to-end action of the Premier League era.
Tottenham 1-5 Chelsea, 2012 – FA Cup Semi-Final
It’s simply impossible to talk about this fixture without mentioning Mr. Wembley himself, Didier Drogba. This game featured one of his most iconic goals and might just be one of his most impressive performances in a successful Chelsea career. When Frank Lampard’s long pass headed in Drogba’s direction, there was an awful lot still to do. The big man expertly brought the ball down on his chest, bullied William Gallas on the turn, and fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net (on his weak foot might we add).
Aside from a Drogba masterclass, this game had a goal that never should have been awarded, a stunning long range free kick from Lampard, and some expert playmaking courtesy of Juan Mata. The victory set up an FA Cup final against Liverpool, which Chelsea went on to win 2-1 – and who you ask scored the decisive goal? Well, none other than Mr. Wembley.
Tottenham 4-4 Chelsea, 2008 – Robbie Keane Genius
Didier Drogba, Claude Makelele and Joe Cole on one side, Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov and Aaron Lennon on the other – this was vintage Premier League. Just weeks following Tottenham’s Carling Cup (even the name brings the memories flooding back) victory over Chelsea, the two met again at White Hart Lane. The game went back and forth – Drogba powered home a trademark header, Joe Cole waltzed round defenders, and Berbatov strolled around the pitch oozing class.
Avram Grant’s Chelsea thought they had won it when Cole curled his second of the game beyond Paul Robinson and into the top corner. Enter Robbie Keane. When a long, hopeful ball bounced off the back of a Chelsea defender, the Irishman had one thing in his mind. No touches were required; Keane caressed the ball and sent it bending into the far corner from 20 yards. The Spurs faithful erupted.
Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham, 2016 – Battle of the Bridge
Surprise, surprise – the Battle of the Bridge claims number one spot. Maybe not the most exceptional display of footballing prowess, but certainly one of the most entertaining Premier League matches of all time. This game personified derby day; a good old fashioned rivalry spilling over onto the pitch in front of passionate fans desperate to have their enthusiasm matched.
With Spurs chasing down Leicester City at the summit of English football, anything other than three points would hand the title to the Foxes. The visitors raced to a two goal lead in a feisty first half, but things really kicked off when Danny Rose wiped out Willian in injury time. Tempers flared, Mauricio Pochettino jumped in to break it up, Diego Costa was on the receiving end of an eye-gouge – it really was a classic Sunday league brawl.
The second half was much the same, with quite ludicrous challenges flying in all over the pitch. Spurs received nine yellow cards – the most by a single team in Premier League history – but it was Chelsea who had the last laugh. An equaliser from Gary Cahill followed by a stunning late effort from Eden Hazard snuffed out any remaining hope Spurs had of catching Leicester. A simply remarkable game of football.
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