toptop

Aaron Lennon's superb second-half strike helped Martin Jol's Tottenham Hotspur side to secure a monumental 2-1 win at home to 10-man Chelsea.

Spurs had not defeated The Blues in their last 32 league meetings since Gary Lineker notched the winner in a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in February 1990.

But after going a goal down to the unlikeliest of scorers in Claude Makelele from a beautifully struck volley, the home side responded through Michael Dawson's header and Lennon's left footer to take all three points and move up to 10th.

It was a wonderfully entertaining and fiery London derby on fireworks night, although Jose Mourinho is sure to have something to say about the referee's performance after a string of bookings for both teams, including two for his captain John Terry.

The Blues also had a Didier Drogba header ruled out in the first half, when there seemed little evidence of any infringement, as Mourinho's side were frustrated in the end, losing valuable ground on league leaders Manchester United.

Mourinho made one change to his team, after their fightback at Barcelona in midweek, as Paulo Ferreira came in for Khalid Boulahrouz at right back. Hilario kept his place between the sticks, as the returning Carlo Cudicini had to make do with a place on the bench.

Jol, meanwhile, kept the same starting XI that romped to a 3-1 win over Club Brugge on Thursday.

Neither side showed any sides of fatigue after their exertions in the week, as the game got off a flyer, with a real derby day feel to the affair.

Chelsea established the early dominance though, and should have gone ahead on 13 minutes, when Michael Ballack played Arjen Robben through on goal. The Dutchman, however took an age to unleash a shot in the one-on-one with Paul Robinson, and his hesitation was pounced upon by Ledley King to slide in and knock the ball out for a corner.

But Spurs had not heeded the warning as The Blues took the lead from the resulting corner. The ball in from the right was only half cleared by King and Makelele showed his class to rifle a textbook right-footed volley past Robinson's right-hand corner to put Chelsea 1-0 up on 15 minutes.

Mourinho's side were on top and sensing the kill Drogba had the ball in the back of the net just minutes later. The Ivory Coast ace was totally unmarked in the box from a set piece and easily headed the ball home past Robinson, but the whistle had already gone. There seemed little wrong with the goal, and replays revealed nothing except for a curious decision by referee Graham Poll.

The pace was frenetic and Robinson had to be at his best to keep out Ballack's free kick and Frank Lampard's drive moments later.

But when Ferreira was booked for a foul on Dimitar Berbatov on the left edge of Chelsea's box, Spurs drew level. Jermaine Jenas whipped in a delightful ball and centre back Dawson used the pace of the ball to flick the ball past Hilario to make it 1-1 on 25 minutes.

The home side now had the upper hand, and only a combination of Hilario and Ashley Cole kept them from going ahead in a goalmouth scramble with Berbatov and King.

Drogba almost added to his list of fabulous individual goals this season, in the 35th minute, as he held off Dawson to chest the ball up and unleash a stunning bicycle kick. But the African went unrewarded for his technique as the ball drifted inches wide of Robinson's left hand post.

Ferreira was having a torrid time at the back and Lennon playing in his favoured position on the right hand side showed great ability to skip past Cole. The youngster's left footed cross was met by Keane, who got in front of Ferreira, but the Irishman was guilty of missing a great opportunity with his head, firing the ball just over the bar.

Ferreira made way for Boulahrouz at half time, but the former Hamburg man did no better than his predecessor seven minutes in to the second half. Taunting the right back, Robbie Keane showed magnificent skill to drop the shoulder and leave Boulahrouz on his backside. Not content with that the Republic of Ireland international then whipped the ball into Lennon in the box. Still with a lot to do, the England winger feigned a shot with his right, only to volley the ball magnificently home with his left, to make it 2-1 to Spurs.

Hossam Ghaly got a lucky let off from Poll minutes later, as he was only booked for a clear elbow on Michael Essien. The Blues midfielder was left dazed, but thankfully managed to recover to help Chelsea search for a much-needed equaliser.

Boulahrouz was having a horrendous time, and Keane got in behind him again on the hour mark. From a tight angle and with the keeper at his feet, the Irishman crossed to Berbatov, but his strike partner fluffed his lines, failing to connect properly with the ball, and wasting a great goalscoring chance.

Goalscorer Makelele was then sacrificed for Shaun Wright-Phillips and substitute Boulahrouz paid for his poor display with Salomon Kalou's introduction in his place.

Disaster struck for the visitors with 20 minutes left on the clock though, as their inspirational captain Terry was sent off for a second bookable offence, after a melee in the Spurs box. Didier Zokora was incensed, but there seemed little evidence of any wrongdoing by the England skipper, but there were no complaints from the White Hart Lane faithful, who now had a famous victory in their sights.

Lampard had a great chance to earn hs side a point as the champions refused to lie down, but fired his shot over the bar.

Robben almost earned his side a fine equaliser in the dying minutes, as his curling left-foot effort seemed destined for the far corner, but the ball rebounded off the post to Jol's obvious relief.

And Spurs held on for a momentous 2-1 victory to the delight of their supporters as well as those in Manchester. 

Teams

Tottenham Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Jenas, Zokora, Ghaly, Berbatov, Keane (Defoe 85).
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Davids, Mido, Huddlestone.
Booked: Dawson, Ghaly, King.
Goals: Dawson 25, Lennon 52.

Chelsea Hilario, Ferreira (Boulahrouz 46), Carvalho, Terry, A. Cole, Ballack, Makelele (Wright-Phillips 63), Lampard, Essien, Drogba, Robben, Boulahrouz (Kalou 68).
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Joe Cole.
Sent Off: Terry (72).
Booked: Ferreira, A. Cole, Makelele, Terry, Ballack.
Goals: Makelele 15.

Attendance: 36,070

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).