On May 2nd 2016, Chelsea welcomed Tottenham in what was later dubbed “The Battle of the Bridge”.
Spurs were desperate for a win to keep their hopes of first title since 1961 alive. Meanwhile, despite their disastrous campaign, Chelsea wanted to keep their undefeated home record against Spurs since 1989 intact. Also the chance to kill the visitor’s title hopes ensured that the Blues would be up for the contest.
But what was witnessed was something that nobody expected. A team that was leading 2 goals to nil at half time lost it completely after Chelsea roared back to score 2 themselves in the second half. Leicester City players who had gathered at Jamie Vardy’s home to watch the match went partying from the moment Eden Hazard scored a brilliant equalizer.
Players including Hazard and Cesc Fabregas had said they were determined not to let Spurs win the title at Stamford Bridge. So it was no surprise that this was a gritty encounter played in front of a raucous crowd.
More from The Pride of London
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea player ratings: Abysmal, reckless, wasteful
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
Spurs started the match well and scored through Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min before half time. It looked as if home side’s 27-years-old unbeaten record against Spurs was about to end.
Interim manager Guus Hiddink introduced Eden Hazard for Pedro during interval. His arrival shifted the momentum.
First Gary Cahill scored from a Willian corner which was dealt very poorly by Spurs players, even allowing Cahill more than one touch. Then, in the 83rd minute, Hazard passed the ball to Costa near the penalty box after taking it through Spurs’ defence from Chelsea’s half.
Costa made a good turn before returning the ball to Hazard who curled in a brilliant first time shot to make it 2-2. Cue wild celebrations among Blues fans all over the world, Leicester City fans and those gathered at Vardy’s home.
Chelsea players were delighted with the result. Not so much by the visitors who took the term fighting literally. They were pushing, pulling, shoving, stamping on legs, hands and gouging in eyes.
Spurs were lucky that none of them were given a red as many of them clearly deserved one. Players like Michel Vorm who were just sitting in the bench were simply creating problems. One among them even pushed Guus Hiddink down. Those actions needed its own page.
A year on, Blues won the recent meeting between the two in the FA cup semi-final. The league game at Stamford Bridge was contested in good spirits unlike last time with Chelsea winning. This time, Chelsea are at the top while Spurs are in pursuit.