Tottenham vs Chelsea - as it happened: Dele Alli headed brace brings Blues' winning run to an end
Re-live all the action from White Hart Lane
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Key information…
KICK-OFF: 20:00, Wednesday 3rd January 2017
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1
Teams...
Tottenham: Lloris; Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Walker, Wanyama, Dembele, Rose; Eriksen, Alli; Kane.
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Hazard, Costa.
Follow the live action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
It’s a big game for…
Gary Cahill. Chelsea have the best defence in the league, conceding just 13 goals in 19 games. However their back-line lapsed in concentration twice in their last outing against Stoke. Cahill, the leader in that defence can’t afford to let that happen here, especially against a free-scoring Spurs side who have netted 13 goals in their last four games.
Best stat…
26. During the period between December 1990 until January 2002, Chelsea managed to remain unbeaten against their London rivals for 26 games - 17 wins and nine draws.
Remember when…
The last time Spurs beat Chelsea was in a 5-3 thriller at White Hart Lane. Diego Costa gave the visitors the lead, but goals from Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Andros Townsend turned it around before the break. Kane added another, Hazard pulled one back for Chelsea but then Chadli made it 5-2 to Spurs. John Terry scored a late consolation goal for the Blues.
Player to watch…
Dele Alli. The 20-year-old attacking-midfielder has been in scintillating goalscoring form of late netting five goals in just three games. The Spurs youngster has been their stand-out performer this year and he’ll want to carry on that red hot form against the table-toppers here.
Past three meetings…
Chelsea 2 (Pedro, Moses) Tottenham 1 (Eriksen), Premier League, November 2016
Chelsea 2 (Cahill, Hazard) Tottenham 2 (Kane, Son), Premier League, May 2016
Tottenham 0 Chelsea 0, Premier League, November 2015
Form guide…
Tottenham: WLWWWW
Chelsea: WWWWWW
Odds…
Tottenham to win: 9/5
Chelsea to win: 9/5
Draw: 23/10
(Odds provided by Betfair)
18 mins: No card-waving antics from Pedro here, curiously enough. The Spaniard becomes the first player to be cautioned after mistiming a sliding challenge on Rose that sent the England man into the night sky. "A forward's tackle," remarks Alan Smith as if he ever made one.
21 mins: Corner ball! Danny Rose down Tottenham's left wing has been prominently involved so far, and it's no surprise that it's where the first corner of the night stems from after Moses blocks behind.
23 mins: Victor Wanyama wins possession in midfield before sending a shot wide of goal...but nobody really cares because all eyes are on Pedro and Diego Costa. The two Chelsea players are having a lively discussion in the middle of the pitch after the former failed to read the latter's slipped pass into the Tottenham penalty area. It's heated, ongoing and hilarious.
The Chelsea propaganda machine has whirred into action.
Words? They're having a row like two drunk no-marks in the Big Brother house.
26 mins: Two efforts on goal to report while I was replaying the Pedro-Costa spat. First, a superb driving run and shot from Christian Eriksen flashed inches wide of Courtois' goal before David Luiz thumped a free-kick high over the crossbar.
33 mins: It had been non-stop for the first half hour but two stoppages in quick succession have taken the sting out of the encounter - and they both resulted from the same challenge. Danny Rose's hefty charge into Victor Moses left the Chelsea midfielder on the deck and needing treatment, and no sooner had he retuned to his feet, Roses needed attention himself. Both are ok to continue, off we go again.
36 mins: Diego Costa blazes over from the edge of the box! Quick work from Hazard down the left opened up space in the Tottenham defence, and a square ball to the Premier League's top scorer looked to have brought the game's first goal. However, a rare rash decision from Costa and the chance disappeared before the away fans could climb out of their seats. "He could have played in Pedro," suggests Martin Tyler. Yeah, right.
38 mins: Gary Cahill is the second player booked. The Chelsea centre-back headed straight to Eriksen, and then pulled down the Dane after he threatened to make him looking even sillier as he skipped past him. No wonder Antonio Conte is still on the lookout for another defender.
40 mins: From Rose's subsequent free-kick, Eric Dier's close range header at the far post was pushed out by Courtois and Chelsea live again.
Meanwhile, Victor Wanyama goes into the book for chopping down Hazard. The cautions are totting up now.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments