Cech fears wasted year as Spurs stay ahead in Euro race

On the pitch there was very little to separate them; no goals, no celebrations, no bragging rights.

But at the end of it all Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp was still waxing lyrical and Chelsea, who face Benfica tomorrow, painfully aware that winning the Champions League this year is their only chance of playing in it next season, were definitely waning.

Rarely can the post-match reaction of players and managers have provided such an insight into the health of their clubs; even if the football itself was largely disappointing as the two London rivals played out a goalless draw that did neither team any major favours in the Premier League table.