Chelsea FC Outclass Tottenham Hotspur FC 4-0
Both Chelsea and Tottenham would be up for this London derby, as both teams have something to play for. Tottenham are once again fighting relentlessly to claim a top four finish, which would secure them a spot in the UEFA Champions League. Chelsea on the other hand, are obviously looking to extend their lead at the top of the premier league table. A win for the blues would see them nine points clear of Manchester City. City has three games in hand due to cup obligations, and this would give them no room for error the rest of the campaign.
Chelsea almost got their dream start, as the late addition to the starting XI Samuel Eto’o slid a ball through for Eden Hazard. Hazard collected the pass and was able to get past keeper Hugo Lloris, but put his shot wide of an open net.
In the 14th minute Nabil Bentaleb led a convey of Spurs bearing down on Petr Cech’s goal. Instead of attempting to play in one of his teammates, he sent a shot just past the wide post. Spurs again would test Cech in the 23rd minute as Sandro got hold of a blocked cross and sent a howling volley at the Chelsea goal. Cech did well to get down and parry the shot away for a corner.
A few minutes later Chelsea tried to respond to the Tottenham pressure. Eto’o picked up a turnover deep in the Tottenham half, and had a two on two opportunity with Andre Schurrle. The Cameroon international went wide, then tried to beat Lloris near post, but his shot could only hit the side netting.
For the majority of the first half, Tottenham enjoyed the game. Chelsea did have a couple of good chances, but overall, the visitors looked comfortable, and the more likely side to open the goalscoring.
Spurs picked up where they left off getting the first opportunity of the second half. In the 49th minute Younes Kaboul rose well on a corner, but Cech was able to get in position and clutch the ball gratefully to his chest.
It would take a Tottenham mistake for Chelsea to finally open the scoring. In the 56th minute Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen slipped while on the ball, then tried to get the ball back to his goalkeeper. A waiting Eto’o pounced on the ball, took a touch, and put the ball past Lloris, giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead, and giving the fans a collective sigh of relief.
Only three minutes later the game was turned on its head, with Eto’o once again right in the middle of things. Hazard found Eto’o behind the Tottenham defense, but he was fouled in the penalty area by Kaboul. A penalty was given, and Kaboul was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring chance. Hazard stepped up to take the penalty, and calmly finished, giving the Blues what seemed to be an insurmountable 2-0 lead.
Chelsea would then close proceedings by making it 4-0. Substitute Oscar made a darting run down the right flank, and centered a ball for fellow sub Demba Ba. Tottenham couldn’t clear the danger, and Ba took advantage of the opportunity, and slotted the ball into the back of the net. What seemed like seconds later, it was again Ba capitalizing off a mistake. After a poor header back to goal, Ba came back from a offside position, won the ball from Lloris, and deposited it into the back of the net.
At halftime, it looked anybody’s game, but Chelsea eventually were able to take control, and certainly please Jose Mourinho by finishing off their hated rivals. The opening goal was the breakthrough, and following the penalty, the Blues never looked like losing. Chelsea earn three points, which have them sitting safely at the top of the league table, and with a big opportunity to earn another three next week against Aston Villa.
Man of the Match – Samuel Eto’o: Eto’o was forced into action just before kickoff, as Fernando Torres was ruled out with an injury. The forward not only scored a goal, but earned the penalty that doubled the Chelsea lead.
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