The win means that Tottenham have not beaten Chelsea in 22 meetings and are still searching for their first victory over the Blues at White Hart Lane since August 1987.

Both teams set out at a frenetic pace and Tottenham had Ian Walker to thank for keeping them on level terms within the first six minutes. George Weah raced down the middle before holding off Chris Perry and firing a vicious left foot shot towards goal.

But Weah, who scored the winner against Tottenham on his Chelsea debut at Stamford Bridge last month, was denied his second Premiership strike by an excellent Walker save.

And Walker had to be at his best once again four minutes later to deny Chris Sutton.

Gus Poyet, Didier Deschamps and Weah all played their part in a superb Chelsea move that presented Sutton with a glorious chance to score.

But the 10 million man, who has scored just one Premiership goal all season, saw his miserable run continue when Walker flew to his left to beat away Suttons shot.

Tottenham also came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half but Tim Sherwood, scorer of nine goals from midfield this season, headed Darren Andertons free-kick over the bar and Chris Armstrong just failed to get on the end of Steve Carrs magnificent cross.

Within two minutes of the re-start Carr was unlucky not to put Spurs in front. Tim Sherwood rolled a free-kick into the Republic of Ireland internationals path and the full-back saw his drive fly through a sea of bodies and inches wide of the target.

But despite Tottenhams efforts to break their Chelsea hoodoo it was the Blues who opened the scoring seven minutes after the break.

Sol Campbell was adjudged to have fouled Sutton just outside the area and when Dennis Wise clipped over the resulting free-kick Lambourde was left all alone to neatly lift the ball over Walker for his second goal of the season.

Soon after it looked as though Chelsea would extend their lead when Sutton set himself to convert Poyets pinpoint cross.

But Tottenham full-back Mauricio Taricco intervened by clattering into Sutton and, despite Chelseas protestations, referee Graham Poll waved play on.

In the end it didnt matter though as Gianluca Viallis men held out to stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to ten.

Teams

Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Perry, Campbell, Taricco, Clemence, Sherwood, Anderton (Nielsen 85), Ginola, Armstrong, Iversen (Korsten 80)
Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Scales, Young