FA Cup: Chelsea 3-3 Tottenham

The spring sun shone as Chelsea clashed with Tottenham in an exciting match which had both sides of fans disbelieving their eyes. A bright first half for Spurs, which ended 1-3, was followed by a tough second half which saw Chelsea come back and equalise to secure the replay neither team really wanted.

Tottenham started strong with superb moves from Aaron Lennon, employed for the day in a central free roles, and were rewarded with a goal just five minutes into the game. A succession of beautiful passes from Defoe, to Lennon to Berbatov ended with the Bulgarian elegantly firing past Chelsea keeper Cech. Spurs continued on the attack and Chelsea’s first chance came from a Frank Lampard free kick which Essien headed just over the goal. Didier Zokora and Teemu Tainio effectively closed down the midfield, Chelsea were getting nowhere. A second excellent chance for the visitors came when right back Paul Stalteri fed a ball to Berbatov who crossed from the right to Defoe, placed in the middle but unable to reach the ball in time.

Ricardo Rocha, on his third start for Spurs, did a good job in marking Chelsea top scorer Didier Drogba and perhaps it was inevitable that only a corner situation would allow the home team to equalise. A somewhat awkward shot by Michael Ballack was put straight into the goal by Chelsea vice captain Lampard who found himself unmarked in front of goal. Some minutes later it looked as if Chelsea’s worst fears had been realised when Drogba landed awkwardly on his foot and needed medical attention. He continued playing but looked somewhat uncomfortable throughout. Half an hour into the game Chelsea’s woes deepened as sturdy midfield action by Tainio and Ghaly fed a ball to Lennon. The young star crossed beautifully in towards Defoe and Berbatov, both waiting on the left hand side of the box, but the irresistible cross was put into the net by Essien before it got that far.

A game which was characterised by marvellous attacking moves also became one of defensive disorder. Michael Dawson, Spurs skipper on the night, nearly repeated Essien's mistake when he went after a cross by Arjen Robben and just about headed the ball in over Radek Cerny’s attempts to save it. Fortunately for Spurs, Stalteri was there to clear it away. Mourinho responded with the first of a series of substitutions which seemed to suggest that attacking resolve is the best form of defence when one’s defence itself is in shambles and Paulo Ferreira was replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips. A few minutes later Hossam Ghaly finished off a great run from deep in midfield in style by coolly putting the ball past the advancing Cech, making it 1-3. At this stage the home defenders were simply nowhere to be found and the camera went to the harassed face of John Terry, watching in the crowd. The first half finished off with some near chances for Chelsea as Shevchenko shot over goal and another Essien header nearly found the net. A Drogba free kick straight into the arms of Spurs keeper Cerny closed proceedings before the break.

The second half began with the first of six yellow cards, an indication of the mounting aggression in the game. A free kick taken by Robben and met by Drogba gave the Spurs defence an immediate taste of action. Some minutes later Zokora initiated an attack which forced Cech to save twice as his initial block came back. Chelsea, who had been in curious disarray throughout, with an insecure defensive line, an ineffective midfield and a line of forwards not quite able to open up any space, made some more substitutions and placed Khalid Boulahrouz alongside Ricardo Carvalho. Salomon Kalou replaced Ashley Cole in the final signal that attacking and never say die was the only option left. The reward came on 70 minutes when another corner went via Ballack to Lampard, who thumped the ball into the net.

To this Jol’s only available response was an attempt at defending the advantage; Berbatov had been replaced by Mido due to a re-emerging groin injury and Lennon had been taken off to save his power for the remaining games in a busy week. Anthony Gardner came on as an extra defender, replacing Ghaly, but to no avail. With four minutes to go the champions hammered in the point that they simply will not be beaten at Stamford Bridge. Pretty or not, the team claws its way back, possibly in fear of Mourinho’s reaction to a home defeat. Carvalho cut the ball in to Drogba who headed it from the far post to Kalou. The Ivory Coast forward sharply volleyed it in. Despite fatigue starting to show, Tottenham nearly pulled off a third consecutive stoppage time winner, but Jermain Defoe’s powerful shot hit the bar and an even later attempt by Zokora was saved by Cech.

For both teams the added fixture is bad news, adding to an already busy schedule. Spurs now have to play Braga, Watford and Chelsea at White Hart Lane within a week, the FA-cup replay becoming the sixth game in two weeks, and have to rue the fact that this game could have been won by just one more well taken chance and some sturdier defending. Sheer exhaustion might force next game to be played at a slower pace, but spectators cannot be blamed for looking forward to another sparkling game of football between the two London clubs.


Chelsea

Cech, Ferreira (Wright-Phillips 34), Essien, Carvalho, Ashley Cole (Kalou 64), Diarra (Boulahrouz 57), Lampard, Robben, Ballack, Drogba, Shevchenko.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Bridge.
Booked: Diarra, Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Kalou.
Goals: Lampard 22, 71, Kalou 86.

Tottenham

Cerny, Stalteri, Dawson, Rocha, Young-Pyo Lee, Ghaly (Gardner 81), Tainio, Zokora, Lennon (Malbranque 76), Berbatov (Mido 66), Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Burch, Huddlestone.
Booked: Ghaly, Zokora, Young-Pyo Lee, Stalteri, Cerny.
Goals: Berbatov 5, Essien 28 og, Ghaly 36.

Attendance: 41,517

Referee: M Riley