Cudicini the barrier as Chelsea keep Spurs at bay

Like the rainbow which appeared briefly over the Paxton Road End, this vivid derby match promised wondrous things before, somehow, fading away. In the grey light of day it was clear at least that these London rivals can maintain their current healthy position in the table, although it was Chelsea who could feel greater satisfaction after stretching their unbeaten League run against Spurs to 25 games – a record that began before the Premiership.

Tottenham's manager, Glenn Hoddle, identified two key elements to the match – the fact that his side could not force a goal during their second half "purple patch,'' and the performance of Chelsea's goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini. "It was wonderful,'' said Hoddle. "For them.''

The 29-year-old Italian produced outstanding saves either side of the interval to frustrate a home team who never stopped seeking a way past him.

Just before the half-hour Jamie Redknapp reworked what has recently become his favourite trick from a free-kick, accepting a short pass from Robbie Keane and flicking the ball up before volleying it towards goal from 25 yards out. When the Tottenham midfielder attempted to score by the same method in the last match at White Hart Lane against Bolton, he shot narrowly over the bar. This time the aim was more accurate and the shot appeared locked on to its target until Cudicini, twisting his body in mid-air, diverted the ball over the bar.

Cudicini's next significant action came seven minutes after the break, when a re-energised Spurs side seemed on the brink of a breakthrough. Gustavo Poyet, Cudicini's former team-mate, was the first to test him when the ball fell at his feet six yards out. The visiting keeper advanced swiftly to deal with the danger and the Uruguayan's shot flew away off his legs. From the corner, Teddy Sheringham turned the ball goalwards from close range only to see his effort tipped over.

Spurs' optimism dimmed momentarily and within a couple of minutes the indefatigable Gianfranco Zola had earned a Chelsea corner by chasing after a long ball, and, from the kick, the full-back Mario Melchiot produced a glancing header which bounced off the far post.

"I have a very talented goalkeeper'' said Chelsea's manager, Claudio Ranieri. "I don't know if he is the best in the Premiership. But he is playing very, very well.''

There was an unhappy departure in the 72nd minute when Poyet, who had huffed and puffed to little effect in mid-field, reacted angrily after being substituted. There was a sharp exchange with Tottenham's assistant manager, John Gorman, which appeared to involve at least one use of the F-word. The relevant F-word on this occasion, however, was frustration.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Keller 6; Carr 7, Perry 7, Richards 8, Bunjevcevic 6; Davies 7, Redknapp 7, Freund 6, Poyet 4 (Acimovic 4, 72); Keane 7, Sheringham 6 (Ferdinand, 89). Substitutes not used: Hirschfeld (gk), Etherington, Gardner.

Chelsea (4-4-2): Cudicini 9; Melchiot 6, Gallas 8, Desailly 6, Babayaro 5; Morris 6, Lampard 7, Petit 7, De Lucas 6 (Oliveira, 86); Hasselbaink 5 (Gudjohnsen 6, 43), Zola 8. Substitutes not used: Pidgeley (gk), Ferrer, Terry.

Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville) 5.

Bookings: Tottenham: Sheringham, Acimovic, Perry. Chelsea: Morris, De Lucas.

Man of the match: Cudicini.

Attendance: 36,049.