The build up to this particular London derby had a slightly lopsided look about it. It was Spurs rather than Chelsea who were being lauded as credible title challengers, and it was the Pensioners who played the role of long shots.
Judging by the first twenty minutes you could be forgiven for thinking the hype was justified. Spurs passed and moved with verve, precision and pace. They looked solid in defense, hungry and incisive in midfield and potent upfront. Chelsea were in a state of shock as white shirts swamped them. Gareth Bale set up Adebayor to score and it looked as though the Welshman would have one of those special nights. Then out of nowhere Sturridge scored after Cole benefited from a fortuitous deflection.
Suddenly the dynamic of the game had swung, it was Chelsea who looked like their old selves and it looked like one of those classic games where Spurs start off well against the big boys but then go on to lose. Not even a forced reshuffle of the defense due to Ivanovic being injured could interrupt the Chelsea momentum in the second half. The second period belonged primarily Chelsea as Mereilles, Mata and Romeu wrestled control from Parker and Modric. Both sides had glorious opportunities to win it but they both had to settle for a draw.
A draw did not do either any favor with both Manchester clubs winning. Spurs could close the gap to six points if they win their game in hand (providing they match City up to then) whilst Chelsea remain some 11 points adrift. Both are very good teams but they lack that something extra to finish above City and United.
For Chelsea it is a lack of firepower upfront. Drogba is at least looking like a footballer again and yesterday he was nuisance. He was extremely unlucky to hit the woodwork after a glorious piece of control but other than that he failed to test a suspect Spurs defense, as much he wanted. Ramires as is the norm had an impressive game but he squandered two glorious chances, how Chelsea must have wished they would have fallen to the Ivorian or even Torres.
Nevertheless the Villas Boas project is beginning to take a solid and distinct form. The young gunslinger has recognized the advantages of playing a deeper line, and no one has benefited more from this than Terry. He let Adebayor go too easy for the first goal but from then he was imperious, his off the line block was reminiscent of his pomp. Cole as well who has looked jaded in recent months put in a solid and committed performance. Villas Boas was rightly delighted with the enthusiasm and desire his players showed.
For Spurs it was a case of what might have been. Had they got the crucial second goal they could have cruised for the rest of the game. As it was once Chelsea got themselves back in the encounter, the North Londoners were grateful to leave with a point. This Space has reservations on Spurs ruthlessness or rather lack of it. Adebayor has been a shrewd signing but he is not Rooney, Van Perise or Aguero. When the moment comes in a tight crucial game who can be relied on to apply the killer touch with cold blooded precision, particularly with Defoe consigned increasingly to the bench?
Modric still has a tendency to drift in and out of games, whilst Van der Vaart can be susceptible in games of the highest intensity. Once this happens the service to Lennon and Bale dries up robbing them of their key outlet (which is why Bale was a peripheral figure in the second half). The Spurs defense is impressive through the middle with King, Kaboul and Parker but their full backs can be exploited by moments of genuine quality.
Spurs are a strong outfit and reclaiming a Champions League spot would constitute a terrific achievement. Hansen quipped a few seasons ago that Spurs would always let you down, but they have a right to be taken more seriously now. Rather than a club saddled with unrealistic expectation, they are a club going places providing they keep their stars and add in the right places (in that sense Levy’s summer stance has been fully vindicated). However the title will have to wait.
Chelsea are back on track and it will be interesting what January hold in store. If Villas Boas can maintain his teams solidity and desire then he can ensure his charges remain difficult to beat. The title is beyond them but an extended run in the Europe and the F.A cup could still be possible.
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