Post by kzmoks on Mar 22, 2009 4:27:21 GMT 7
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Chelsea
Chelsea may have been put off their stride as a suspicious package within the vicinity of Tottenham's ground resulted in a half-hour delay.
The Blues failed to take advantage of Manchester United's slip up at the Craven Cottage this afternoon, as they suffered a blip of their own, at fellow London club Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane ground.
Playmaking midfielder Luka Modric was the solitary difference-maker, as his second half strike in the 50th minute was enough to separate the two sides, and inflict Guus Hiddink's first defeat during his temporary Chelsea tenure.
Spurs gave Chelsea some early food for thought, as Darren Bent tried to lay a pass on a plate for strike partner Robbie Keane, only for some superb defending from Alex to deny the home side a ten minute lead. The move came only minutes after a spectacular drive from Jenas.
Aaron Lennon - who could be within a shout for a spot in the Team of the Season due to his sterling recent displays - proved again to be a formidable force running down the lines, and prompted the Blues backline and Petr Cech to be quick to the impending box-bound balls.
Special praise must be forwarded to Michael Essien, who showed relentless energy and drive and was in keeping with all of his comeback performances following his return to the first team. It seemed the Ghana international was the best player to counteract Lennon's advances.
Four minutes after the break and Tottenham broke the deadlock as Lennon found space between Cole and Belletti to find Modric who did not need a second invitation to launch an outside-the-box shot past Cech and into the net.
There was to be no reaction from Chelsea, as Tottenham continued with the greater chances. Lennon was the central figure for the Spurs advances, and again Modric was threaded through on the hour-mark, but the Croatian international failed to capitalise and misplaced his shot.
Gomes was called into action late in the game, as Lampard finds team-mate Terry, but the Chelsea skipper's header fails to suitably trouble Harry Redknapp's Brazilian glovesman, and Tottenham hold on to both the clean sheet, and the win.
Chelsea may have been put off their stride as a suspicious package within the vicinity of Tottenham's ground resulted in a half-hour delay.
The Blues failed to take advantage of Manchester United's slip up at the Craven Cottage this afternoon, as they suffered a blip of their own, at fellow London club Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane ground.
Playmaking midfielder Luka Modric was the solitary difference-maker, as his second half strike in the 50th minute was enough to separate the two sides, and inflict Guus Hiddink's first defeat during his temporary Chelsea tenure.
Spurs gave Chelsea some early food for thought, as Darren Bent tried to lay a pass on a plate for strike partner Robbie Keane, only for some superb defending from Alex to deny the home side a ten minute lead. The move came only minutes after a spectacular drive from Jenas.
Aaron Lennon - who could be within a shout for a spot in the Team of the Season due to his sterling recent displays - proved again to be a formidable force running down the lines, and prompted the Blues backline and Petr Cech to be quick to the impending box-bound balls.
Special praise must be forwarded to Michael Essien, who showed relentless energy and drive and was in keeping with all of his comeback performances following his return to the first team. It seemed the Ghana international was the best player to counteract Lennon's advances.
Four minutes after the break and Tottenham broke the deadlock as Lennon found space between Cole and Belletti to find Modric who did not need a second invitation to launch an outside-the-box shot past Cech and into the net.
There was to be no reaction from Chelsea, as Tottenham continued with the greater chances. Lennon was the central figure for the Spurs advances, and again Modric was threaded through on the hour-mark, but the Croatian international failed to capitalise and misplaced his shot.
Gomes was called into action late in the game, as Lampard finds team-mate Terry, but the Chelsea skipper's header fails to suitably trouble Harry Redknapp's Brazilian glovesman, and Tottenham hold on to both the clean sheet, and the win.
What a wonderful weekend it's turning out to be! With manure losing. Rooney and scholes red carded! Heck, let them all be red carded! We'll be playing reserves when we go to old trafford! 
