A first half goal by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink gave Chelsea an eighth win in nine Premiership matches and kept up the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

The Dutchman was on hand to turn in Damien Duff's low cross after a fine move involving Eidur Gudjohnsen and Frank Lampard to settle a controversial London derby.

Tottenham, who now haven't beaten their London rivals in 24 league attempts, were denied a clear penalty when Michael Brown's drive struck John Terry's outstretched arm.

However, Argentine defender Mauricio Taricco twice escaped punishment after striking Duff and Scott Parker, and was only shown a yellow card when he cynically tripped Hasselbaink, who appeared to be through on goal.

There were few chances in a scrappy first half hour before Hasselbaink's goal, but that strike at least brought the game to life, and Robbie Keane could, and perhaps should, have equalised moments later, when he broke clear down the left only to shoot at Marco Ambrosio's legs.

Crosses from Stephen Carr and Christian Ziege then flew across the face of Ambrosio's goal, with Keane and Jermain Defoe unable to connect, as Tottenham finished the half the stronger.

Chelsea were the brighter side after the break, hitting Spurs on the counter-attack as the home side looked for an equaliser they seldom looked likely to achieve.

Duff tested Kasey Keller with a low drive from 25 yards and Lampard should have done better with a shot on the turn after he was played in by Hasselbaink.

Hasselbaink could have scored a second goal - and a fifth in two games - when he turned Mario Melchiot's cross wide of goal, while at the other end Ambrosio had to react sharply to turn Defoe's speculative shot over the bar.

Tottenham felt they were denied another penalty when Keane tumbled under Terry's challenge, although referee Steve Bennett was well placed to see that there was no infringement from the Chelsea man.

David Pleat's men were able to fashion one last chance, but Keane's flashing volley was a yard too high, and Chelsea are now just four points behind Arsenal at the top.
 

Teams

Tottenham Hotspur   Keller, Carr, Doherty, Gardner, King, Taricco (Kelly 60), Ziege (Kanoute 45), Brown, Redknapp (Jackson 66), Defoe, Keane
Subs Not Used  Hirschfeld, Kelly, Poyet
Booked  Taricco, Carr
Goals 

Chelsea  Ambrosio, Bridge, Gallas, Melchiot, Terry, Duff, Lampard, Makelele, Parker (Cole 74), Gudjohnsen (Gronkjaer 77), Hasselbaink (Crespo
Subs Not Used  Sullivan, Huth
Booked 
Goals  Hasselbaink 38

Attendance  36,101

Referee  S. Bennett