THE ecstasy for Chelsea was plain to see and hear as they leapt instantly back to the top of the Premier League table.
The agony for Spurs was even more vivid as their Stamford Bridge jinx haunted them once again.
For a few hours Manchester City and Liverpool had claimed top spot. But this Chelsea will take some budging.
The intensity of the match was never-ending, but only in a sporting sense. Thankfully, there was no hangover from the furies of the match at the end of last season that ended Tottenham’s title challenge then.
This time it was all football --- and in the opening period Chelsea were severely discomforted by the intense pressing tactics of Spurs, who refused to allow them easy possession at the back.
An early free-kick almost brought a goal for Kane, but he was flagged offside. No matter, the
It had been exactly 600 minutes, or ten hours if you prefer, since the previous Premier League goal conceded by Chelsea in their rise to the top.
All good things come to an end, and it had taken a magnificent goal.
There was nearly another when Kane ran with menace at the Chelsea defence only to see his powerful shot was pushed over the bar by Thibaut Courtois.
The passing of Spurs was crisp and precise --- as vital to their control as the high energy closing down of their opponents.
Chelsea took half an hour to make any impression on this game, when David Luiz sent in a free-kick saved by Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris.
It’s impossible, of course, for any team to maintain a constant pressing tempo for a whole game, and gradually the home side began to create a threat themselves.
Just before the break Lloris sent a goal-kick straight to Eden Hazard, and redeemed himself by saving the subsequent shot from the Belgian.
But there was nothing the Spurs keeper could do about the stunning equaliser from Pedro right on half time. The little Spanish ace received the ball on the edge of the box, made space with an exquisite trick, and curled a gorgeous shot perfectly into the top corner.
The mood of the stadium was transformed; the library now a raucous concert hall
Chelsea were ahead six minutes into the second half. They won the ball pressing in midfield and Diego Costa went on a superb driving run down the left flank before crossing low for Victor Moses to shoot home at the far post.
Suddenly, the home side were rampant, and Spurs trying to cling on.
Another cross from Costa swiftly followed; this time Marcos Alonso launched a wonderful chance into orbit high over bar.
In the end it didn’t matter for Chelsea as they captured a sixth straight victory.
CHELSEA: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses (Ivanovic 80th), Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro (Oscar 83rd), Costa, Hazard (Willian 76th).
TOTTENHAM: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Wimmer; Wanyama, Dembele (Janssen 83rd); Son (Winks 65th), Alli (N’Koudou 73rd), Eriksen; Kane.
Man of the match: PEDRO --- His magnificent goal turned the match, and the skills on the ball of the former Barcelona star were a delight to watch.
For a few hours Manchester City and Liverpool had claimed top spot. But this Chelsea will take some budging.
The intensity of the match was never-ending, but only in a sporting sense. Thankfully, there was no hangover from the furies of the match at the end of last season that ended Tottenham’s title challenge then.
This time it was all football --- and in the opening period Chelsea were severely discomforted by the intense pressing tactics of Spurs, who refused to allow them easy possession at the back.
An early free-kick almost brought a goal for Kane, but he was flagged offside. No matter, the
It had been exactly 600 minutes, or ten hours if you prefer, since the previous Premier League goal conceded by Chelsea in their rise to the top.
There was nearly another when Kane ran with menace at the Chelsea defence only to see his powerful shot was pushed over the bar by Thibaut Courtois.
The passing of Spurs was crisp and precise --- as vital to their control as the high energy closing down of their opponents.
Chelsea took half an hour to make any impression on this game, when David Luiz sent in a free-kick saved by Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris.
It’s impossible, of course, for any team to maintain a constant pressing tempo for a whole game, and gradually the home side began to create a threat themselves.
Just before the break Lloris sent a goal-kick straight to Eden Hazard, and redeemed himself by saving the subsequent shot from the Belgian.
But there was nothing the Spurs keeper could do about the stunning equaliser from Pedro right on half time. The little Spanish ace received the ball on the edge of the box, made space with an exquisite trick, and curled a gorgeous shot perfectly into the top corner.
Chelsea were ahead six minutes into the second half. They won the ball pressing in midfield and Diego Costa went on a superb driving run down the left flank before crossing low for Victor Moses to shoot home at the far post.
Suddenly, the home side were rampant, and Spurs trying to cling on.
Another cross from Costa swiftly followed; this time Marcos Alonso launched a wonderful chance into orbit high over bar.
In the end it didn’t matter for Chelsea as they captured a sixth straight victory.
CHELSEA: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses (Ivanovic 80th), Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro (Oscar 83rd), Costa, Hazard (Willian 76th).
TOTTENHAM: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Wimmer; Wanyama, Dembele (Janssen 83rd); Son (Winks 65th), Alli (N’Koudou 73rd), Eriksen; Kane.
Man of the match: PEDRO --- His magnificent goal turned the match, and the skills on the ball of the former Barcelona star were a delight to watch.
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