Jubilant Spurs dent Chelsea title bid
Aaron Lennon's return from injury has got Spurs' season back on track
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Sunday, 05, Nov 2006 07:17
A well-taken goal from England winger Aaron Lennon gave Tottenham Hotspur a famous 2-1 win over ten-man Chelsea, the first time the home team had beaten their London rivals in 33 attempts.
Lennon struck in the 52nd minute following neat work from Robbie Keane, after Michael Dawson's first-half header had cancelled out a rare strike from Claude Makelele.
This evening's bonfire night clash contained more than its fair share of fireworks, with Blues captain John Terry dismissed late in the second-half for a second bookable offence, with referee Graham Poll dishing out five yellows to the away team in all.
The result was harsh on the Premiership champions, who deserved at least a point after playing their part in a full-blooded encounter, but Spurs fans can celebrate their first home win against Chelsea since 1987.
Lennon, who was not even born then, underlined just why Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly made him his top January transfer target with a glittering display, but it was the away team who took the lead following a driving run by winger Arjen Robben.
The Dutchman dallied as he prepared to pull the trigger when clean through, allowing Ledley King to get across and cover, but from the resulting corner Makelele scored his second goal in Chelsea colours with a beautifully crisp right-foot half volley from outside of the area.
The popular Frenchman's goal seemed to galvanise Chelsea's attack and midfield duo Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack both tested Paul Robinson with angled drives. On-form striker Didier Drogba had the ball in the back of the net after scoring a textbook far post header, but Poll inexplicably chalked the goal off despite TV replays suggesting there was no infringement.
After managing to survive the onslaught without being breached again Spurs drew level ten minutes later when Jermaine Jenas' clever free-kick allowed Dawson to head home past Hilario in the Chelsea goal.
Spurs ended the opening 45 in a dominant position with Lennon skilfully setting Keane up only for the Irishman to loop his header onto the top netting.
Shortly after the break, however, Keane made up for the mistake by gliding past substitute Khalid Boulahrouz and crossing for his 19-year-old team-mate, who made no mistake with the finish.
Martin Jol's side continued to press for the decisive goal that would seal a momentous win but it was Chelsea who looked the more likely to score, although their challenge was severely dented when Terry received his marching orders for an apparent altercation with Pascal Chimbonda, although replays again suggested that the away team had been shortchanged by Poll.
There was still time for the unfortunate Robben to curse his luck as his deft curling effort rebounded off Robinson's left-hand post, with Lampard and sub Salomon Kalou also going close in the dying moments, but ultimately to no avail.
Spurs move in to the Premiership's upper echelons after today's win, while Chelsea lose valuable ground on Premiership leaders Manchester United, with the two team's November 26th clash taking on even more importance as a result.