Chelsea – Tottenham Hotspur

1. <i>ESPNsoccernet</i> will bring you live minute-by-minute commentary of Chelsea's meeting with Tottenham, which kicks off at 12.45 GMT.

2. Afternoon all - it's a glorious day in London and we're all set for a crucnh game at Stamford Bridge, with those Champions League qualification spots the firm focus for Chelsea and Tottenham.

3. There is plenty at stake for both clubs today, Tottenham's run of one point in four games has seen Arsenal overtake them in third and if they lose today they will only be two points clear of Chelsea. Win, however, and they'll reclaim third and open a gap of seven points to Chelsea.

4. As for Chelsea, lose today and they can kiss goodbye to fourth place. A draw isn't good enough either really. This is their biggest game of the season - win and they set themselves up for a strong run in, lose and it could be a very long last few months.

5. The financial implications are huge for Chelsea, with a big rebuilding job on their hands in the summer, and after having recorded a £70m loss missing out on the cash the Champions League brings would be a significant blow for them.

6. As for the team news, John Terry returns for Chelsea, while Jose Bosingwa replaces the injured Ivanovic. Daniel Sturridge and Michael Essien come back in while Didier Drogba starts in place of Fernando Torres.

7. As for Spurs, Ledley King is not fit to start two games in four days so William Gallas comes in. Sandro is in for Kranjcar and Adebayor returns, in place of Louis Saha.

8. 1'

   <b>KICK OFF</b>

9. 2'

   Few players slipping on the surface - odd given it is 20 degrees and bright sunshine. Must have been heavily watered.

10. 3'

    Bale's first involvement - Bosingwa gets tight and forces him back.

11. 4'

    Excellent work from Scott Parker as Chelsea looked threatening, Drogba tried to flick to Lampard but Parker was there to mop up.

12. 5'

    Promising from Chelsea though, Cole getting forward.

13. 6'

    Tottenham have netted 10 goals in the opening 15 minutes of PL matches this season, a league high.

14. 7'

    Walker gets forward, and wins a corner off Cole. Going to be a good battle that.

15. 8'

    The corner is cleared, as is Van der Vaart's return ball before Assou-Ekotto's shot is blocked by Terry.

16. 9'

    Tottenham dominating possession but Redknapp gesticulating wildly on the touchline.

17. 10'

    Fantastic ball from Terry for Drogba, who chests down but is crowded out by three players in white shirts. Kaboul with a toe poke out of the striker's reach.

18. 11'

    Adebayor has been largely anonymous so far.

19. 12'

    Pretty cagey opening so far. Midfield crowded.

20. 13'

    A hopeful ball from Lampard creates a bit of panic for Assou-Ekotto as he concedes a corner for fear of Ramires picking his pocket.

21. 15'

    The latest ball forward, from Drogba, runs out of play for a goal kick.

22. 16'

    Mata gives the ball away but no-one is within 30 yards of Adebayor who loses possession to Essien.

23. 17'

    Parker pumps a long ball out of play. Game lacking imagination thus far.

24. 18'

    Bale's first run at Bosingwa, and Ramires helps out as Chelsea win the ball back.

25. 19'

    Something needs to happen to sprak this game into life - a goal, a meaty challenge, a card - anything.

26. 20'

    Drogba gets down the right and crosses but only Sturridge is in the box. Kaboul clears.

27. 21'

    Bale drifts over to the right flank to mix it up.

28. 22'

    I've been flirting round the edges of it for a little while but I have to say, this game is terrible so far.

29. 23'

    It's like a pre-season friendly.

30. 24'

    Perhaps I should just stay silent until something happens. Probably wouldn't be great form though would it? Oh, a foul. Adebayor on Cahill.

31. 25'

    Stat: Chelsea's win percentage with John Terry - 57%. Without - 17%.

32. 26'

    A decent ball from Van der Vaart over the top and Adebayor was onside, but Cahill cuts it out.

33. 27'

    A cross into the box, Van der Vaart rises to head on goal, it is deflected by Cahill but the ref gives a goal kick.

34. 28'

    Lampard gets into the area and wants a penalty, Gallas sticks a toe in, gets nothing on the ball and actually, Lampard is right - it should have been a pen.

35. 29'

    Better now, Ramires over the top for Sturridge, who miscontrols but still manages to win a corner.

36. 30'

    Chelsea forcing the pace now as Walker's poor header falls to Drogba, who does well to get a semblance of control on the ball, then win a corner.

37. 31'

    Tottenham are slow to get men forward today as only Adebayor and Van der Vaart are in Chelsea's half as a counter was on. The move ends with Bale smashing over the top from 30 yards.

38. 32'

    The referee gives handball against Parker, who was only three yards from Cole. Harsh. Free kick wide left.

39. 33'

    Great work from Adebayor, who mugs Essien and Bosingwa and gets into the box but his cross to Walker, who was free at the back post, was far too strong. Chance wasted.

40. 34'

    Slight knock for Drogba, who hobbles off for some treatment. Several players use the break for a sip of an isotonic drink.

41. 35'

    Drogba - back on.

42. 36'

    Slight clash of heads between Bale and Bosingwa. Chelsea free kick.

43. 37'

    First real involvement for Mata as Gallas errors in letting a long ball hit his back. The Spaniard goes onto his left but his effort is not convincing at all. Almost a cross.

44. 38'

    Cole in space now, but his cross is claimed by Friedel after a brush from Van der Vaart. Suspicion of handball. No replay.

45. 39'

    Modric has been off key today so far - a nice run then but a really poor lay-off inside the area. Now Bale wins a free kick off Lampard near the corner flag.

46. 41'

    A long throw from Walker into the box for Bale. The bouncing ball gets away from Van der Vaart though.

47. 42'

    Some more space for Bale now as he wriggles towards the box and unleashes another wild shot.

48. 43'

    Neat work from Tottenham to get out of trouble. Chelsea favouring the ball over the top.

49. 44'

    What an awful pass from Assou-Ekotto. Neither a cross nor a ball to feet. Rolls out of play.

50. 45'

    Symptomatic of the half - Ramires in space on the right, blue shirts filling the box, hits the man in front of him. Corner though.

51. 45'

    <b>HALF TIME</b> The best piece of action in the half right in final moments of it. Modric round the back, it falls to Van Der Vaart eight yards out but Cech saves, then Cole blocks the follow up and finally, to end a breathless passage, Adebayor heads over the bar.

52. Well, hopefully that last little flurry of activity will set us up better for the second half. Chelsea are the ones who have to win so expect them to make the running.

53. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0324/harryredknappsunineyes_275x155.jpg"><br>It's sunny at the Bridge

54. 46'

    We begin again...

55. 47'

    Tottenham win an early corner. Hoping for more intent from them this half.

56. 48'

    Good Chelsea break from the corner, Sturridge making progress but then checking inside and trying to find Mata - Parker cuts the pass out.

57. 49'

    Quality ball into the box from Ramires but Gallas nods clear before Sturridge is adjudged to have fouled Friedel.

58. 50'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Essien brings up Chelsea's 60th yellow for the season, tripping Modric, who had outwitted him.

59. 51'

    Good opening for Sturridge as Drogba muscles Gallas out of the way and heads into the striker's path but his half volley is a good few yards wide. First attempt on goal from Chelsea.

60. 52'

    Bosingwa takes on Bale and beats him but the cross is deep and Drogba can't run it back into the danger zone.

61. 53'

    A snapshot of the game so far - an errant pass from Adebayor turned into the feet of Modric by an errant touch from Cole.

62. 55'

    Tottenham with a lovely move, as Bale does really well to drive at the box and feed Walker in space but his effort was a touch slicey and flicks the side-netting.

63. 57'

    Bale prominent now, crossing for Adebayor who slips when trying to shoot on goal with his left foot.

64. 58'

    What a long ball from Bosingwa - perfectly in between both centre halves but Mata couldn't bring it down over his shoulder.

65. 59'

    Another effort from Bale, another Chelsea goal kick.

66. 60'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Bosingwa off, David Luiz on. Looks like he's going to right back.

67. 61'

    Much better game now - goal not far off you feel.

68. 62'

    Ramires howls for a penalty as he and Assou-Ekotto competed for a deep cross. No foul given and BAE lucky not to turn the ball into his own net.

69. 63'

    Not clear cut, that is for certain. No definitive replay angle either.

70. 64'

    Assou-Ekotto is penalised for a foul on Ramires now and the players have a little set to. The defender went to whack the ball clear and only made contact with Ramires' ankle.

71. 65'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Assou-Ekotto is booked once he hauls himself onto his feet. Chelsea free kick on the right side.

72. 66'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Now Sandro is booked for a late lunge on Essien.

73. 67'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com//design05/images/2012/0324/danielsturridgeleap_275x155.jpg"><br> Daniel Sturridge gets in the mix

74. 68'

    Fantastic cross from Luiz and a sensible chest behind from Walker. Corner.

75. 69'

    A talking to for Parker and Van der Vaart after another foul. Drogba 40 yards out with the free kick and blasts it into Parker's face.

76. 70'

    Tottenham have been done out of another corner there - Walker's cross flicking off Cole.

77. 71'

    Now that is the epitome of cool defending. Kaboul raided down the left and crossed - Terry chested back, powerfully, from five yards right into Cech's arms.

78. 72'

    Kaboul stayed down after that burst forward and is now getting some magic spray on his knee.

79. 73'

    Mata hits the post with his free kick! Friedel was completely static. Luiz can't turn home the rebound.

80. 75'

    Luiz's bump on Modric is eventually penalised by Martin Atkinson. Debatable.

81. 76'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Essien comes off and Torres replaces him.

82. 76'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> For Spurs, Van der Vaart is replaced by Saha.

83. 77'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> And Sandro trots off for Livermore.

84. 77'

    Oh what a chance, Gallas nods Modric's free kick over the bar from six yards. He was facing the wrong way and couldn't sort out his body position.

85. 78'

    Great chest control from Drogba but he was off balance as he tried to turn and shoot and can only dribble it into Friedel's arms.

86. 79'

    That was Tottenham's big chance, Modric releases Adebayor over the top, he rounds Cech but goes wide and Cahill blocks his shot as he tries to slot into the unguarded net.

87. 80'

    And from the corner Bale hits the bar! Unmarked, seven yards out but his effort cannons back before Saha nods a high ball over the top from close range.

88. 81'

    Don't forget we'll be straight onto MatchDay Live from 14.30pm - in about four minutes. A busy day of action ahead.

89. 82'

    Chelsea's formation a bit of a mess - Torres coming short and then drifting wide.

90. 83'

    Greedy from Bale as he runs round the back four and ends up on the right of the box. Saha was square but he hits an effort right at Cech.

91. 84'

    Tottenham looking more likely now - Chelsea having to push men forward aand leave gaps at the back.

92. 86'

    A bit messy between Torres and Asoou-Ekotto as they tussle inside the box, then a long range effort from Lampard right at Friedel.

93. 87'

    Space for Modric in the middle of the park but his shot is poor. The shooting from range in general has been woeful.

94. 88'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Sturridge makes way for Kalou.

95. 89'

    Two minutes plus added time to save Chelsea's Champions League qualification place hopes.

96. 90'

    Drogba tries an ambitious curling chip from the edge of the box but catches it too well.

97. 91'

    Four minutes added...

98. 91'

    Cole goes down under a slight touch from Parker, the free kick goes to Spurs and Cole shows that brand of petulant dissent he is well known for.

99. 92'

    Good run again from Bale and a good block from Cahill.

100. 93'

     Terrible corner from Modric.

101. 93'

     Livermore wins a free kick on the right. A chance to load the box with white shirts.

102. 94'

     Bale's delivery is nodded away by Terry.

103. 94'

     Now Luiz concedes a free kick for holding Adebayor. 30 yards out, to the left of centre.

104. 95'

     Bale's fierce effort is saved on the bounce by Cech. A difficult one for the keeper and a good stop. Corner.

105. 96'

     <b>FULL TIME</b> A much more satisfying result for Tottenham but they will feel they should have won. They rightfully retain their place above Chelsea, for whom that fourth spot is looking very tricky to claim now. Not the thriller we hoped for but a better second half at least.

106. 96'

     Right, with one game in the can we have another seven to enjoy today, so hop over to <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/1039625/matchday-live---march-24?cc=5739" target="_blank">MatchDay Live</a> for the rest of the action.

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