The night the dream died.
Monday’s drab draw at home to West Bromwich Albion has all but wrapped up the title for Leicester City, in a match they couldn’t afford to drop points in.
In truth, Spurs never looked confident in themselves and it was the first time they played with any sort of fear this season.
As Craig Dawson amended his earlier own goal with a deft header, that was the moment 36,000 people in White Hart Lane realised the game was up.
But Spurs must move on and with the title gone, must hold onto second place ahead of the chasing pack of Arsenal and Manchester City.
Without a win at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, Chelsea are not the team Spurs want to play next, but must get a reaction if they want to overturn that poor record.
Chelsea
Having recovered from back-to-back Premier League defeats with a 4-1 thumping of Bournemouth, how The Blues would love to certainly destroy Tottenham’s title chances for good on Monday.
With nothing to play for apart from pride, Chelsea suddenly have motivation in a fixture where they very rarely lose.
Guus Hiddink has steadied the sinking ship under Jose Mourinho, but new man Antonio Conte will be keeping a watchful eye over events in West London, eager to stamp his authority on an under-performing Chelsea.
Fresh from his brace against The Cherries, two-goal Eden Hazard has found form at precisely the wrong time in what has been a poor season for the Belgian.
The former PFA Player of the Year will love nothing better than to get back in the good books of Chelsea by downing Spurs, but with no home win in their last four games, the visitors will provide sterner opposition than in recent years.
Diego Costa experienced a huge surge in form under Hiddink with 11 goals in 19 games since his appointment but is without a goal in three and questions remain about his future with a move back to Atletico Madrid being mooted.
With an underwhelming season drawing to a close and Conte’s swing of the axe hanging over several players, three points in a London derby will provide some consolation in a disastrous season for Chelsea.
Tottenham
A difficult night for Tottenham earlier in the week but it must not detract from what has been an outstanding season for the club.
On course for their highest finish since 1990, they need to go to Stamford Bridge to prove they have the bottle and not allow their season to peter out so meekly.
On a ground where they are yet to taste Premier League victory, what a fantastic result that would be and what a message it would send to Leicester and the rest of the division, that Tottenham will only return stronger next season.
One black mark though is that deserved PFA Young Player of the Year Dele Alli’s season has been cut short due to an incident involving Claudio Yacob where he appeared to punch the West Brom midfielder in the chest.
The 20-year-old has taken the top flight completely by surprise becoming an important member of the first team in the process, chipping in with 10 goals and nine assists.
He does, however, have a nasty streak shown more than once this season and although the fire is essential to how he plays, he needs to learn to control it or risk further disciplinary action.
In his absence, Heung-min Son is likely to take his place out on the left with Christian Eriksen moving centrally to play off Harry Kane, in what is likely to be the only change Mauricio Pochettino will make as Tottenham look to finish the season strong.
Last time out
29th November 2015 – Tottenham 0-0 Chelsea
The Chelsea view: Pedro, forward
“None of us want to be part of the team that lose the record and we are really concentrating on making sure we keep the run going.
‘Is it another incentive that beating Spurs will stop them winning the League? Yes. But the most important thing for us is to win this match.
“I realise this is a big big game for the Chelsea fans, the players. I know it is a really important derby in England and a match that is always played with a lot of passion and emotion.” (Daily Mail)
The Tottenham view: Mousa Dembele, midfielder
“We’re playing well as a team and we can only do better next year. The top teams will be stronger but I think we will be stronger as well.
“You can see the vibe, there’s a positive future for us. We were very disappointed about the last game so its difficult to swallow.
“We just need to win these three games, it’s not going to be easy. They’re good teams who are going to play well.
“Chelsea away is difficult but we’re positive, we’re playing well and I think we can win this game.” (Sky Sports)
Prediction
With emotions running high and Chelsea notoriously difficult opposition to beat on their own turf, a draw looks like the most likely outcome.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
