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Spurs, Chelsea share derby spoils
Source: Agencies |
December 24, 2011, Saturday
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LONDON rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea slugged out a 1-1 draw in an exciting derby at White Hart Lane on Thursday as the home team held on to third spot in the Premier League.
Both sides were left to rue missed chances that could have edged them closer to leader Manchester City and champion Manchester United and both enter the festive program with injury problems.
Emmanuel Adebayor gave Tottenham the perfect start when he turned in a Gareth Bale cross after eight minutes but having dominated the opening exchanges the hosts were forced to retreat by a stirring Chelsea fightback.
The visitors, in fourth spot, equalized after 23 minutes through the lively Daniel Sturridge and had the better chances.
In a thrilling second half Ramires wasted a glorious opportunity for Chelsea and Adebayor was denied a dramatic late winner by a sliding John Terry clearance in stoppage time.
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas praised his side for its second-half dominance and said it could still win the title despite being 11 points behind leader City.
"In some ways I think we lost two points today but getting a point here is still excellent," the Portuguese told reporters. "In terms of our title challenge it keeps it alive. Our passing game exploded today to fantastic levels, outstanding, it was remarkable. A fair result would have been a Chelsea win."
Going into the busy Christmas program Tottenham has 35 points from 16 games, with Chelsea two points behind having played a game more than the north London club. City has 44 from 17 games, two ahead of United.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said a draw was a fair result after injuries hampered his side. Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart sustained a hamstring injury that Redknapp said could rule him out of the Christmas and New Year fixtures while defender Younes Kaboul suffered a similar fate in the warm-up.
"It was a tight game," Redknapp said. "The first 25 minutes we dominated but then they scored and got stronger and the second half it was difficult because Rafael did a hamstring and we had no one who could play on the right."
Tottenham began the game as if it was determined to underline its new-found status as London's highest-placed club. Bale caused havoc with his pace down the left and it was no surprise he proved the architect of the opening goal.
Sandro dispossessed Sturridge and played in the Wales winger, who accelerated past three defenders to fire in a devilish cross that Adebayor touched in as keeper Petr Cech hesitated.
Both sides were left to rue missed chances that could have edged them closer to leader Manchester City and champion Manchester United and both enter the festive program with injury problems.
Emmanuel Adebayor gave Tottenham the perfect start when he turned in a Gareth Bale cross after eight minutes but having dominated the opening exchanges the hosts were forced to retreat by a stirring Chelsea fightback.
The visitors, in fourth spot, equalized after 23 minutes through the lively Daniel Sturridge and had the better chances.
In a thrilling second half Ramires wasted a glorious opportunity for Chelsea and Adebayor was denied a dramatic late winner by a sliding John Terry clearance in stoppage time.
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas praised his side for its second-half dominance and said it could still win the title despite being 11 points behind leader City.
"In some ways I think we lost two points today but getting a point here is still excellent," the Portuguese told reporters. "In terms of our title challenge it keeps it alive. Our passing game exploded today to fantastic levels, outstanding, it was remarkable. A fair result would have been a Chelsea win."
Going into the busy Christmas program Tottenham has 35 points from 16 games, with Chelsea two points behind having played a game more than the north London club. City has 44 from 17 games, two ahead of United.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said a draw was a fair result after injuries hampered his side. Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart sustained a hamstring injury that Redknapp said could rule him out of the Christmas and New Year fixtures while defender Younes Kaboul suffered a similar fate in the warm-up.
"It was a tight game," Redknapp said. "The first 25 minutes we dominated but then they scored and got stronger and the second half it was difficult because Rafael did a hamstring and we had no one who could play on the right."
Tottenham began the game as if it was determined to underline its new-found status as London's highest-placed club. Bale caused havoc with his pace down the left and it was no surprise he proved the architect of the opening goal.
Sandro dispossessed Sturridge and played in the Wales winger, who accelerated past three defenders to fire in a devilish cross that Adebayor touched in as keeper Petr Cech hesitated.
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