Premier League - Preview: Tottenham Hotspur versus Chelsea
The quest for Premier League glory brings Chelsea to White Hart Lane this weekend for an enthralling fixture against Tottenham Hotspur. Chelsea have been on a downward curve ever since Ray Wilkins departed, and they've shown nothing as of yet to suggest
they can change this curve's heading.
Last Chelsea played in the Champions League against Marsielle on Wednesday. And unsurprisingly, that too was a defeat for the London side. A 1-0 reverse which wasn't so sorely felt considering Chelsea had already qualified for the knockout round top of their
group.
Carlo Ancelloti will be hoping Chelsea's guardian angel finally starts looking over his side's fortunes, because with this dwindling form and the next three games to be played against Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal, it is hard to be optimistic.
Effectively, if Chelsea lose all three games they could realistically be knocked out of the title race, and be demoted to the Champions League hopefuls' dogfight.
Chelsea's last league outing saw them surrender two invaluable points at home to a resilient Everton side, who fashioned a goal in the 86th minute courtesy of a Jermaine Beckford header. Even with the return of Captain John Terry, Chelsea's defensive vulnerability
still exists. And it was thought Essien could provide sufficient cover to make the point moot. But it is clear they are missing Alex's presence alongside Terry. And they are certainly missing Lampard's attacking influence, with his foraging runs and venomous
long range drives.
Ancelloti has to be hoping for a miracle against a resurgent Tottenhm side who are also on course to becoming the comeback kings of the season. Tottenham's last league outing sent them to Birmingham to face Alex McLeish's Birmingham City. Though Tottenham
could only muster a solitary point after a 1-1 draw where Craig Gardner scored in the twilight of the match to salvage a point for his side.
But before that, the London side had put in some superb performances. At the Emirates Stadium, they came back from 2-0 down to beat bitter rivals Arsenal 3-2. Then they fell behind to Liverpool at White Hart Lane but responded with two goals of their own
to win 2-1, a match that saw Aaron Lennon capitalise on some sloppy defending to score the winner in the 92nd minute.
Plus in Gareth Bale they have a winger who has defied all the odds this season. A player who has grown into his own and fulfilled the promise that Martin Jol saw in him. He has been one of the best players in the Premier League, probably only behind Samir
Nasri, another player who has broken away from his shackles. But if there is a game changer you would want to bet on for this match, it would be Bale, and against a slight Bosingwa you'd always fancy Bale.
Five points out of the last possible 18 is not something title hopefuls can afford. Chelsea are dropping points like flies. They are a team in desperate need of some encouragement, and a win at White Hart Lane could prove the perfect tonic. Carlo Ancelloti
has failed to pump his players on many occasions this season, but with the matches on the horizon, this is where he will earn his money. Tottenham, on the other hand, will be looking to make up the points on the top three and realise their full potential by
becoming a title threat this season, and Harry Redknapp will expect nothing less of them.
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