Stalemate at the Bridge as Spurs go top of the league after 0-0 draw against Chelsea
By Paul Lagan
Chelsea 0 Spurs 0
A point apiece in a competitive but ultimately negative football match sees Spurs return to the top of the Premier League after a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge against third place Chelsea.
Chelsea failed to breakdown a well drilled Jose Mourinho outfit, while Chelsea’s own resurgence in defensive capability was well to the fore.
Frank Lampard replaced his three strikers during the game, and still could not hit the back of the net - the home side’s first effort on goal came with 14 minutes left on the clock.
Chelsea are the league’s top scorers while Spurs have the meanest defence and it was the north Londoners who will be the happier of the two.
Chelsea had coach Frank Lampard was typically pragmatic.
He said to TV: “It went as I sort of expected. I thought we’d have a lot of possession. We created enough to win the game. The clean sheet factor against a side set up to counter-attack - that was excellent. We didn’t give Kane or Son a sniff and their goalkeeper makes a great save from Mason Mount.”
On the late chance for Olivier Giroud following an error from Spurs defender Joe Rodon, Lampard said: “Oli Giroud gets his chance. He won us the game midweek and is the man you want is those positions so I can’t be too critical. We dominated the game possession wise. This Tottenham team make it hard for you so the way we handled it was brilliant.
"In the end of the season it will all come together on if this was a good point or not. I am happy with the clean sheet but in actual game play we should win it. The players did everything I asked from them but we didn't get that last bit.
"Another day, with the attacking players we have. Sometimes you need a bit of magic from your creative players. The handbrake was a tiny but up but in a good way."
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho was happy too (ish).
He said: A draw at Stamford Bridge is usually a positive thing and staying top of the league is also a positive thing. But my dressing room isn't happy with that and that is fantastic.
"It's a complete change of mentality and personality.
"That was a game where we respected them and they respected us. Nobody gambled today or tried to change the direction of the game. Everybody was in a situation of one mistake wins the game, especially in the last 15 minutes."
“I like the feeling of being top and having our first game back with fans, even if just 2,000 fans, it's a gift for the Tottenham fans. We came from a difficult position last season and we are happy with that. If we were a bit better, we would have won today. The game was there for us. The next match is a must-win."
Chelsea’s next match is away to Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday while Spurs are away to LASK on Thursday in the Europa League.
Teams: Chelsea, Mendy, James, Silva, Zouma, Chilwell, Kante, Kovacic, Mount, Abraham, Werner Ziyech.
Sub, Kepa, Rudiger, Jorginho, Pulisic, Giroud, Azpilicueta, Havertz
Spurs: Lloris, Aurier, Rodon, Dier, Reguilon, Sissoko, Hojbjerg, Son, Ndombele, Bergwijn, Kane
Subs: D Sanchez, Bale, Hart, Lo Celso, Moura, Davies, Morais
Referee: Paul Tierney
