Chelsea 1 -1 Tottenham Hotspur 31.08.2008

Match Report

10′ Deco (yellow card)
27′ [1 - 0] J. Belletti
45′ J. Cole (yellow card)
45′ [1 - 1] D. Bent
86′ J. Bosingwa (yellow card)



Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent poached a point at Stamford Bridge and ended Chelsea's perfect start to the season.


Spurs were soaking up the pressure and staring at defeat until Bent pounced to earn Juande Ramos' men their first Barclays Premier League point of the season.

Chelsea had deservedly led through Juliano Belletti, but with Roman Pavlyuchenko signed from Spartak Moscow on Saturday, Bent's first goal of the campaign provided a reminder to Ramos of what he can deliver.


The last meeting between the two teams was the thrilling 4-4 draw last season, and they picked up where they left off with both sides intent on attacking.

Frank Lampard forced an early save from Heurelho Gomes after latching onto a Joe Cole flick. Lampard's chip was floated perfectly to dip under the crossbar but the Brazilian goalkeeper scrambled back to tip over.

LOW CROSS

Bent had Spurs' first effort when he received a low cross from Giovani and fired a shot that John Terry deflected into the side-netting.

Deco picked up a booking for tripping Giovani in a congested midfield, with Belletti anchoring for the hosts.

Deco's corner caused confusion midway through the half and Nicolas Anelka's shot was blocked by Ledley King.

Belletti, thriving in his role as a defensive midfielder, sent Anelka through with a superb lofted pass but the France striker blasted over.

Chelsea were getting closer, with Michael Essien then rattling Gomes' crossbar with a swerving drive from 25 yards, before their pressure paid off from the resulting corner.

Bent took a swing and missed Deco's cross and Belletti finished off the scrappy move by diverting the ball in off his thigh. It was his first goal since netting in the same fixture last season.

Bent levelled on the stroke of half-time when Lampard challenged Luka Modric and the ball ran to the Spurs striker, who slotted under Petr Cech.

FRANTIC FINISH

The leveller was totally against the run of play, and the omens were not good for Tottenham at the start of the second period as they lost the ball straight from kick-off.

Ashley Cole was raiding down the left on Scolari's instruction, and Lampard sent him through to fire across the face of the goal. Lampard then tried another chip and this time beat Gomes but not the crossbar.

Ramos' response was to take off Giovani and unleash the pace of Aaron Lennon on the right flank. Tom Huddlestone was also brought on to beef up the midfield, with Gunter coming off.

Chelsea kept pushing forward though, and Ricardo Carvalho headed over from Lampard's corner.

Midfielder Jermaine Jenas moved to right-back as Tottenham sat back looking for their point, eventually holding out despite a frantic finish.

Lampard fell under a challenge from Woodgate in the closing stages but replays showed the defender got the ball.

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