Essien and Crespo start for Blues

Chelsea paid tribute to Peter Osgood before the first home game since the sudden death of their legendary striker.

Osgood’s family and former team-mates were here to pay their tributes to the man known as the “King of Stamford Bridge”.

The Blues were back in Barclays Premiership action after their European Cup exit in Barcelona and Jose Mourinho gave rare starts to Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robert Huth.

Ricardo Carvalho was rested and Arjen Robben started his four-match ban. Hernan Crespo got the nod over Didier Drogba in attack.

Chelsea v Tottenham teams

Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Huth, Terry, Gallas, Makelele, Wright-Phillips, Lampard, Essien, Joe Cole, Crespo.

Subs: Del Horno, Maniche, Duff, Drogba, Cudicini.

Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, King, Dawson, Lee, Jenas, Carrick, Davids, Tainio, Mido, Keane.

Subs: Murphy, Cerny, Defoe, Lennon, Gardner.

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire)