GW17 Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea

Recap

Tottenham and Chelsea ended up sharing the points after an exciting game at White Hart Lane. Adebayor's early goal at 8^th minute was equaled by Sturridge’s at 23^rd minute. Both team, as expected, showed the class and finesse in playing the flanks.  Both goals were created in the left flank before serving the ball into the penalty box.

Both teams from London spoiled their chances on staying up with the two league leaders from Manchester, as Manchester City and Manchester United garnered the maximum points.  The Spurs are now behind by 9 points from Manchester City, while Chelsea had 11 points to catch up. Before this Game Week 17, the top four teams were only separated by 9 points.

The chance for both teams to challenge the league leaders is slimming. For the past 8 years, either of the top two teams after the first half of the season lifted the cup. In exception for 2008-09 season, where the fourth placer Manchester United made a huge run on the second half of the season to snatch the title.

The Spurs started the game in frenzied pace at White Hart Lane. Redknapp’s team conquered the early exchanges. Until in the 8^th minute, Sandro made a sperb tackle in the middle. Then, Gareth Bale surged with the ball diagonally, from middle to left flank crossed the ball low into the box, where Emmanuel Adebayor had beaten Peter Cech and Jose Bosingwa for the opening goal.

The Blues were nowhere near at ball possession rate until they caught the Spurs napping defensively. Ivanovic hurriedly took the indirect free kick in the center of the field; Drogba calmly pushed the ball forward and flicked it to the onrushing left back, Ashley Cole. Ashley Cole escaped the sliding tackle of Van der Vaart, continued the run and his cross found Daniel Sturridge for the equalizer.

Spurs players were furious as the referee, Howard Webb missed the handball during the buildup play, where the tackle of Van der Vaart hit the ball and was deflected in the arms of Cole. Nonetheless, the goal stayed and the game was leveled.

The first half ended far quietly after the early goals. However, Ivanovic was forced out due to injury in the 33^rd minute. Then, Bale was slightly limping after the tackle of Ramires in the 43^rd minute; Ramires got the yellow card. On the second half, Van der Vaart was replaced by Roman Pavlyuchenko, due to the recurring Hamstring injury of the Dutch man. Chelsea played cohesively, dominating the possession for the rest of the game, but fruitless on the attack. Spurs got the better chances during the last few minutes and the injury time, but was unlucky.

Although the game ended with few intrigues, the 1-1 draw seemed to be fair for both teams. As I predicted yesterday, the game could go either way and likely of a low scoring draw if neither team could command the midfield. To add, both teams scored from a cross coming from the left flank.