Match Report: Cohesive Chelsea Performance too Much for Helpless Tottenham

It had initially looked like an unlikely upset might be on the cards at Stamford Bridge. On a ground at which they have not been victorious since 1990, a youthful Tottenham side made a surprisingly strong start. It didn't take long, however, before normal service was resumed as Premier League leaders Chelsea took a stronghold on the game and played out yet another comfortable victory over their London rivals to maintain their six point lead at the top of the table.

Spurs had dominated the opening exchanges, with their man of the moment Harry Kane, who retained his place in the starting lineup while Roberto Soldado dropped out, nudging a header onto a beaten Thibaut Courtois' crossbar after only 7 minutes. It wasn't long after that that he robbed Gary Cahill of possession deep in the opposition half, only to delay his shot until the angle had been narrowed and there were arguably better options available.

It wasn't until the 17th minute that the home side, the favourites for the championship and a team previously unbeaten in 22 competitive matches, had their first shot of the game, and it wasn't until after that tame Cesc Fàbregas effort that they even began to settle into the match. The problem for Spurs, however, was that when the champions elect settle into their stride, they are a very, very good side.

Shortly after, Eden Hazard picked up possession in an inside left position, turned one man, played a swift one-two with Didier Drogba - preferred by José Mourinho to Loic Remy in the absence of Diego Costa - and nestled past Hugo Lloris to open the scoring. While that meant the hosts could relax, it certainly made Spurs wobble, and a nervy clearance from Hugo Lloris was pounced upon by Chelsea, as Oscar fed Drogba to double their lead. In 3 minutes, Chelsea had put the result beyond doubt. Whether indeed anyone had any doubt at all is another matter.

Chelsea may have started uncertainly; they may had just 41.2% of the ball; and they may have had only 12 attempts on goal, but they were thoroughly convincing and it is testament to the well-oiled machine that Mourinho has made this team that they almost effortlessly saw off a sprightly Spurs side.

Federico Fazio was named WhoScored.com man of the match with a rating of 7.85 which, rather than highlight that Chelsea had come away without playing well, showed instead that the team had worked brilliantly as greater than a sum of their individual displays. There was no single standout performer for the Blues and yet they were by a distance the better side.

Mourinho highlighted the need to concentrate on the whole rather than any one player in his post-match press conference when asked about Costa's absence. "Our mentality is right, if we don't have a player, we don't cry about it… I prefer to talk about the team." 

This team he has built at Chelsea is proving its title credentials more and more with every passing game and every passing victory. This wasn't their most dominant, barnstorming, marauding or powerful performance of the season, but it was a hugely impressive and important victory as the Chelsea juggernaut rolls on. It will be a real shock if anyone is to stop them on their quest to regain the Premier League title.

What did you make of Chelsea's victory? Can anyone stop them? Let us know in the comments below