Published: 28 September, 2013
By DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 1, CHELSEA 1

SPURS and Chelsea played out a tempestuous draw at White Hart Lane this lunchtime (Saturday) – and it left coach Andre Villas-Boas praising the way his players had gone toe to toe with Jose Mourinho's side.

“We had a great first half,” he said in the wake of the draw that put Spurs top of the league.

“It was a great, great battle and I think it was a fair result.”

Villas-Boas said he felt Chelsea would be happier with an away draw.

He added: “The result suits Chelsea better than us – they have drawn here and at Manchester United.”

While the first half was all Tottenham, the introduction of Juan Mata for Chelsea at half-time changed the complexion – and for the visitors, something needed to be done.

In a purple spell for Spurs, orchestrated by the dynamism of Andros Townsend, the strength of Roberto Soldado and the scheming of Christian Eriksen, a goal was in the offing.

It came through Gylfi Sigurdsson's third in two games. On 18, the Icelandic winger cut in from the left, played a one-two with Soldado and scooped the ball home over the advancing Cech.

The home team had other chances too: Paulinho streaked clear but could only hit a post, while Cech was relieved to see other efforts blocked or hit high and wide as a siege developed.

As the half went on, Chelsea got in amongst Tottenham and things went from flowing to scrappy. Referee Mike Dean had to be stern as a series of challenges from both sides perhaps would have warranted cards in lesser games.

On 64, after a spell of pressure, John Terry headed home from close range to make it one apiece. The game seemed to be going Chelsea's way but Spurs got the upper hand again when Fernando Torres was given a second yellow card after jumping into Jan Vertonghen. The Spaniard, who had been lively all afternoon, had been involved in a running spat with the defender and it seemed inevitable that one of them wouldn't see out the match.

The game then swung Tottenham's way again – but despite two close efforts by sub Jermain Defoe and a dipping volley from Sigurdsson, the points were shared.

Spurs: Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Paulinho, Soldado, Naughton, Townsend,
Dembele, Dawson, Sigurdsson, Eriksen.
Att: 35,867

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

THE AVB revolution continues at pace as Spurs matched a Chelsea side that many say could win the title – and came out with a feeling of disappointment, despite sharing the spoils.

A short time ago a draw against Chelsea would've been considered respectful. This time out, it feels like two dropped points.

But there was plenty to be pleased about: Andros Townsend put in a fantastic first half, tying Ashley Cole in knots. Mousa Dembele, as his team-mates wilted in the face of sustained and serious Chelsea pressure, put in a leader’s performance and held things together when the going got tough. And Hugo Lloris pulled off one dash-and-grab that underlines the belief at the Lane that Spurs have the best keeper in the league.

So while fans can feel glum that there are not another three points on the board, this game shows that Spurs can be considered as much title challengers as any from the Manchester clubs and their London rivals at Arsenal and Chelsea.