Tottenham vs Chelsea - as it happened: Dele Alli headed brace brings Blues' winning run to an end
Re-live all the action from White Hart Lane
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KICK-OFF: 20:00, Wednesday 3rd January 2017
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1
Teams...
Tottenham: Lloris; Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Walker, Wanyama, Dembele, Rose; Eriksen, Alli; Kane.
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Hazard, Costa.
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It’s a big game for…
Gary Cahill. Chelsea have the best defence in the league, conceding just 13 goals in 19 games. However their back-line lapsed in concentration twice in their last outing against Stoke. Cahill, the leader in that defence can’t afford to let that happen here, especially against a free-scoring Spurs side who have netted 13 goals in their last four games.
Best stat…
26. During the period between December 1990 until January 2002, Chelsea managed to remain unbeaten against their London rivals for 26 games - 17 wins and nine draws.
Remember when…
The last time Spurs beat Chelsea was in a 5-3 thriller at White Hart Lane. Diego Costa gave the visitors the lead, but goals from Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Andros Townsend turned it around before the break. Kane added another, Hazard pulled one back for Chelsea but then Chadli made it 5-2 to Spurs. John Terry scored a late consolation goal for the Blues.
Player to watch…
Dele Alli. The 20-year-old attacking-midfielder has been in scintillating goalscoring form of late netting five goals in just three games. The Spurs youngster has been their stand-out performer this year and he’ll want to carry on that red hot form against the table-toppers here.
Past three meetings…
Chelsea 2 (Pedro, Moses) Tottenham 1 (Eriksen), Premier League, November 2016
Chelsea 2 (Cahill, Hazard) Tottenham 2 (Kane, Son), Premier League, May 2016
Tottenham 0 Chelsea 0, Premier League, November 2015
Form guide…
Tottenham: WLWWWW
Chelsea: WWWWWW
Odds…
Tottenham to win: 9/5
Chelsea to win: 9/5
Draw: 23/10
(Odds provided by Betfair)
70 mins: Now Chelsea are venturing forward with intent, but they remain unable to find their way free inside the penalty area because of either poor play by themselves - Pedro's overhit pass to Hazard - or excellent defending such as that recently executed Toby Alderweireld's covering and turn away from Costa.
73 mins: After sleeping through Middlesbrough - Leicester two days ago, it's now time for twenty Winks. Tottenham's young substitute, 20-year-old Harry, is on for Mousa Dembele as Mauricio Pochettino freshens things up in midfield.
76 mins: Victor Moses and Danny Rose are it again. The pair clash 30-yards from the Chelsea goal, earning Tottenham a free-kick in the process. Christian Eriksen takes aim with the dead ball, but his strike travels well wide.
78 mins: What more could Tottenham fans want this evening? Twelve minutes to boo former Arsenal stalwart Cesc Fabregas, you say? Yes, please. The Spanish midfielder is on for N'Golo Kante.
82 mins: There's a momentary concern around White Hart Lane as Dele Alli goes to ground following a clash of legs with Matic in midfield. However, it seems as though it's no more than an opportunity for the crowd to give him another rapturous reception when he returns to his feet.
84 mins: And now it's a standing ovation for the former Milton Keynes midfielder, who is being removed as a precaution for these remaining moments. On in his place for LOLs is Moussa Sissoko.
There's a final change in the Chelsea ranks too as their multi-zillion pounds striker Michy Batshuayi comes on for another six-minute cameo. Off is Victor Moses.
87 mins: Danny Rose is booked for a foul on Azpilicueta. Martin Atkinson is a brave man to display the card too because the Tottenham left wing-back looks absolutely livid. I'd hate to see him at the end of a bad game.
90 mins: There will be four minutes of stoppage time to be played before talk of Chelsea's unstoppable winning streak can be consigned to history. It turns out football can be quite difficult when you're not playing West Brom and Stoke at home every week.
90+5 mins: Pedro Cruyff-turns the ball out of play for a throw in, beating precisely nobody in the process. It's a final moment that sums Chelsea up this evening.
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