Pantomime thrills and spills down the Lane
Karren Brady, West Ham’s vice chairman, was part of England’s failed bid to stage the 2018 World Cup, but made the point that English fans have the consolation of watching fantastic football for 40 weeks of the year.
And her point was illustrated perfectly in another game of thrills and spills at White Hart Lane, where there is rarely a dull moment these days. A draw was a better result for Chelsea than Tottenham, given the dominance the men from north London have had over their west London rivals in recent years.
Chelsea fans used to call it “Three Point Lane” so regularly did they win at Tottenham in the dark days before a new spirit suffused the Spurs, but the Blues have not had a victory there for five years, and also lost the Carling Cup final to the men in white at Wembley, in another part of north London.
More importantly for Chelsea, there were many happy returns in this game, which was played at breathtaking pace from start to finish.
There was a return to goalscoring form for Didier Drogba, who played the twin roles of hero and villain for the Blues while Heurelho Gomes did the same for Spurs. The Brazilian keeper was at fault when Drogba scored, then conceded a needless penalty in stoppage time, but partly redeemed himself by saving the Ivorian’s spot kick.
There was a return for Frank Lampard, who has been sorely missed since being injured in the opening month of the season, and perhaps it was no coincidence that there was a return of the team spirit that has been lacking during their recent dismal run.
Certainly John Terry, who was back to his imperious best at the heart of a defence that has looked so fragile, noted signs of the old Chelsea coming back. Defeat would have been a devastating blow, not just in terms of more points dropped and the poor run continuing, but in terms of team morale going into these huge festive fixtures.
Defeat would have been a blow for Spurs, but a draw was almost as damaging. Three points would have taken them to within one victory of leaders Arsenal, but they are now firmly in fifth — outside the Champions League places that they fought so hard to finish among last season. Whereas once Harry Redknapp’s men could not beat the big boys away, going 68 games without an away victory at one of the established top four until winning at Arsenal last month, now they are struggling to beat their major rivals at home. Manchester City held them on the opening day and now they have been frustrated by Chelsea. No disgrace, granted, but these were the games they were winning last season to qualify for Europe’s premier competition.
For all the progress under Redknapp, and their exhilarating exploits in Europe, it will be a huge step backwards if they do not qualify again this time. It will also represent a major advance for Manchester City if they keep Tottenham out of the top four, and once Roberto Mancini’s men can offer the prospect of Champions League football, who knows what quality of player they will be able to attract?
City have gained most so far this weekend, winning at West Ham while Spurs and Chelsea had to settle for a point each. And should Arsenal and Manchester United share the spoils at Old Trafford tonight, it will really open it up at the top.
There were positives for Spurs, though, with the returning Michael Dawson as commanding as Terry even though he is some way short of match fitness after three months out injured. The next few weeks will probably be a test for the strength in depth of all the top clubs, Spurs will look to be getting some of their other injured stars — Ledley King, Tom Huddlestone and Jermain Jenas — back as quickly as possible, because they need to start making up ground on those above them.
And for Chelsea, this could be a turning point in their season — for the better this time.
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