Tottenham Hotspur's unbeaten start to the season came to an end at Stamford Bridge as they slipped to a 2-1 reverse against Chelsea.
The Lilywhites dominated the first half but could only bag the one goal, coming via a fine Christian Eriksen strike from long range - his first league goal since March.
Pedro and Victor Moses hit back for the hosts either side of half time, though, helping to lift their side to the top of the Premier League while at the same time ending their rivals' run without defeat at the 12-game mark.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge. The Blues can climb back top of the table with victory on home soil this evening, while at the same time making it seven wins in succession under this new 3-4-3 formation which has so far worked to absolute perfection.
The Lilywhites make the journey across London aiming for a first win here in 30 attempts, with their most recent trip here the hardest to take during that barren run. A game now dubbed the Battle of the Bridge in May brought an end to Tottenham's title hopes in the most dramatic of fashion, as their rivals turned around a two-goal half-time deficit to pick up the point required to ensure that Leicester City would lift the title.
TEAM NEWS!
CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Costa, Hazard
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Wimmer; Wanyama, Dembele; Eriksen, Dele, Son; Kane
Let us start by checking out the home team, then, which yet again remains unchanged. For the sixth game running Antonio Conte has stuck with the same XI players - the first time that has happened since 1990 which, incidentally, just happened to be the year Tottenham last left Stamford Bridge with all three points! No injury concerns for the Italian to contend with, so there is no great surprise to see him go with a winning formula for this tough test.
This formation really has managed to get the best out of each individual player in this Chelsea side, perhaps none more so than Diego Costa up top who is now being allowed to stay more central rather than drifting towards the wings. That slight switch has paid off, with the Spaniard the first player to reach double figures in the Premier League this term - 10 goals in 12 outings - while also playing a part in a league-high 10 goals overall thanks to his three assists.
The only real talking point surrounding this Chelsea side concerned the fitness of both John Terry and Willian. The club captain was ruled out for around three weeks on the eve of today's game, so he misses out on the squad entirely - no major loss considering he has been a mere spectator on the bench for a couple of months now. Willian is included on the bench, meanwhile, with Pedro and an in-form Eden Hazard again given the nod in those two wide areas.
In terms of the visitors, boss Mauricio Pochettino has made three changes to the side that just about scraped past West Ham United last weekend. The headline news is that Dele Alli is fully over hit recent injury problem and is handed a place in midfield, while Son Heung-min also comes into the side. Harry Winks is nowhere to be seen in the starting lineup which is presumably down to fitness reasons, but Vincent Janssen's omission is a little more obvious following his dry spell.
The third and final change sees Kevin Wimmer come into defence in place of the suspended Danny Rose. That alteration was always likely to happen, but the big topic of discussion among Spurs supporters regarded where exactly he would start in that backline. It appears as though Mauricio Pochettino has shoved him at left-back, with Jan Vertonghen remaining at centre-back alongside Eric Dier.
It is a far from ideal situation for Pochettino, who is also without deputy full-back Ben Davies and first-choice centre-back Toby Alderweireld, so Chelsea could ask some serious questions of their opponents' makeshift backline this evening. Spurs certainly look much stronger moving forward, though, with Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele - handed a suspension for an eye gauge here six months ago - protecting the back four and Harry Kane leading the line again.
BENCH WATCH!
CHELSEA SUBS: Begovic, Ivanovic, Chalobah, Oscar, Fabregas, Willian, Batshuayi
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Vorm, Trippier, Carter-Vickers, Winks, Onomah, Nkoudou, Janssen
Willian back in contention for Chelsea, then, while he versatile Branislav Ivanovic is the only defensive option in the absence of Terry. Winks and Janssen both dropping out of the starting lineup from last time out as far as Spurs are concerned, in what is a weak-looking bench. Pochettino has plenty of injuries and suspensions to contend with, so this could well be a backs against-the-wall showing from his side.
Mauricio Pochettino makes a few alterations to his side, being forced into one of those alterations at the back due to Danny Rose's domestic suspension. One man who does retain his place is Harry Kane, who has scored six goals in his last six outings either side of his injury layoff and four since making a return to action. Chelsea, for the sixth game running, are unchanged.
A big evening ahead for Chelsea, then, who can climb back to the top of the table with victory over their London rivals. With just seconds to go at Anfield, Liverpool lead Sunderland by a couple of goals, while Manchester City earlier done enough to get past Burnley with a 2-1 win. That leaves the Blues sitting in third at the start of play here, two points off the summit and four ahead of Spurs.
The Blues head into this game as the division's undisputed form side, having won each of their last six games without conceding a single goal. It is strange to think now, but it was not too long ago that a few were beginning to question whether Conte was the right man for Chelsea when, following a draw to Swansea City and defeat at home to Liverpool, the West London outfit found themselves three goals down at half time against Arsenal.
That first-half thrashing at the Emirates Stadium very much proved to be a blessing in disguise, though, as it allowed Conte to finally tweak his system and go with the three-at-the-back setup that many expected from day one. Since then Chelsea boast an aggregate scoreline of 17-0, even having faced an array of opposition tactics during that time. Quite simply, no side and no manager has been able to stop them, no matter what tricks they have tried. Now comes another test, and possibly the toughest, in unbeaten rivals Tottenham.
Chelsea came up against a 3-4-3 against Everton, too, or a variant of it at least, which actually led to their best display of the campaign. The Blues completely blew their opponents away by racking up five unanswered goals, but they were made to work a little harder last time out against a more defensively-minded Middlesbrough side; Costa's only goal of the game proving the difference in the end to prolong this pretty incredible streak of wins.
Conte is fortunate in the sense that he only has the Premier League to focus on and, with this game against fifth-placed Spurs being followed up by another tough test against Man City, that can only be a good thing for the Italian and his men. After this difficult week, Chelsea do not face another so-called big hitter until the reverse fixture against today's opponents in early January, meaning a chance to rebuild any momentum that is possibly lost in the two upcoming games.
Chelsea will only be thinking of taking six points from the next six points on offer, of course, particularly at home this evening where they have collected 15 points from a possible 18 - the most in the Prem - while also scoring 18 goals and conceding only three during that run. Liverpool are the only side to have come here and won, but the Blues are very much a different beast from the opening weeks of the season, where they were picking up points without looking too threatening.
DID YOU KNOW? Chelsea's run of six wins without conceding in the Premier League, spanning some 580 minutes in total, is among the division's best-ever streaks. Four sides have done even better, though, including the Blues: Liverpool (8 games, 2005-06); Chelsea (8 games, 2006-07); Chelsea (8 games, 2004-05); Manchester United (9 games, 2008-09). Still a few more wins to rack up before equalling the Red Devils' record from seven years ago, then.
Since reverting to a three-at-the-back system, which has truly got the best out of each cog in this Chelsea side, Antonio Conte has lifted Chelsea from Champions League chasers to title favourites. Never mind beating the Blues - sides now need to find a way to simply find the net against them, with a run of 580 minutes without conceding emphasising just how well this setup works. With Tottenham and Man City next, though, things could be about to change.
Tottenham are themselves battling for the title this season, having come so close to going all the way last term. The less said about the closing few weeks the better, however, with their abysmal end to the season being triggered by the costly draw at this very venue. Spurs needed all three points to keep alive the pressure on Leicester, which had been growing by the week, but Chelsea recovered from two down to win one of the Premier League's most infamous ever games.
It has now been dubbed the Battle of the Bridge due to the furore at full time, while nine Spurs players were also booked - a Premier League record for a single side. Throw into the mix a long-term ban handed to Dembele for gauging the eye of an opponent, and you can see why it is so infamous. The Lilywhites have just about recovered from then, having started this term unbeaten, but too many draws has left them off the pace as we approach a third of the way through.
Spurs head into this game sitting in fifth place, four points off Chelsea and a further two back from the summit which is occupied by Man City and Liverpool. The four draws in succession took away any momentum build up following their memorable win over the Citizens a couple of months back, though they did return to winning ways at long last seven days ago when beating another of their London rivals, West Ham, in a thrilling contest at White Hart Lane.
Four points from a possible six since the international break against Arsenal (a) and West Ham (h) is certainly not bad going and, Chelsea and Man United aside, they have a nice run of games to come in the coming month or so. Their European exit in midweek really was a major setback, though, going a long way to unravelling such a superb campaign last time out that, while ending on a low, offered more promise than many have seen in decades. The Lilywhites must now respond at the home of one of their most hated rivals.
That victory over West Ham recently was actually Tottenham's first victory of any sort in nine outings in all competitions, five of those ending all square, so it is very much a question of glass half full or half empty as far as supporters are concerned. The Lilywhites' tally of 24 points from 12 games ahead of tonight's clash is three more than they had at this stage 12 months ago, however, when they were also sitting in fifth place. It may seem a little bleak at present, but three points tonight - or perhaps even a draw - and all of a sudden it will be all smiles again.
Tottenham also boast a decent record in London derbies this season, particularly over the past fortnight having taken four points from those games against Arsenal and West Ham. Overall Pochettino's men have 20 points against their closest neighbours - more than any other capital team. Defeat this evening and they are at risk of being overtaken and slipping down the pecking order; victory and they are within touching distance of Chelsea and the Premier League summit. Fine margins, indeed.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Tottenham Hotspur have gone 16 years since last winning at Stamford Bridge, with the last meeting here - a 2-2 draw - one of the most infamous of the lost. Chelsea are now unbeaten in 26 league meetings against their opponents, winning 17 and drawing nine of those - the longest such run against any time in the top flight. Taking all competitions into account, Spurs are winless here in a whopping 29 encounters.
With just over five minutes to go until kickoff at Stamford Bridge, let us turn attention to some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Antonio Conte: "This will be very tough against a strong opponent. Tottenham have a great manager, talented players, very young, and I think they are improving. We have to pay great attention to them. Tottenham can create great difficulty for any team in this league, and can fight until the end to win the title."
Mauricio Pochettino: "It's a good challenge for us to go and to play in that moment. They are in very good form, they have a great manager that I know very well and they have great players too. For them, they are not involved in the cups now, they have time for training and to develop their philosophy and I think, not only in England but in Europe, they are a team in form today."
Conte acknowledging that his side face a "very tough test" this evening, against a Spurs side still without defeat in the Premier League this term. Pochettino pointing out the advantage that Chelsea have with a lack of European football, meanwhile, which is particularly relevant tonight on the back of Tottenham's exit from the Champions League just four days ago.
Both sets of players are now out on the field of play, as Spurs - who have just three players in their ranks born the last time their side won at this venue - aim to make it 13 without defeat in the Premier League. A third London derby in succession for them, against a Chelsea side that has quite simply blown away all comers in recent weeks by going on a six-game winning run without conceding a single goal. What will give this evening? Let's find out...
KICKOFF! Chelsea, in their traditional blue shirts and blue shorts, get us up and running at Stamford Bridge. The Blues go direct right from the word go, but Tottenham Hotspur - sporting their home kit this evening - are alert to it.
A direct start from the hosts, who are certainly not willing to waste any time in trying to open the scoring. Man City and Liverpool have both taken turns to top the table over the course of Saturday - can Chelsea now join them and end the day top?
DISALLOWED GOAL! Spurs not willing to be bullied, as they start to get bodies forward themselves. A smart turn from Kane on the edge of the box earns the visitors a free kick, which Eriksen floats towards the Englishman. Kane was too eager, though, and when he smashed the ball home the flag was quickly up for offside.
Tottenham have looked the brighter side in the opening seven minutes, putting themselves on the front foot and looking to get in behind. Chelsea already having to do more defending than they have become accustomed to in recent weeks.
Spurs win another free kick from around 27 yards out, this time towards the left flank, which Dier decides to take on. It was an arrowed effort that was always rising, failing to do anything to test Courtois who has not conceded in 590 minutes now.
GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN)
Spurs have completely dominated the last six or seven minutes of this game, playing more like the home side than away, and they have a deserved breakthrough through Christian Eriksen's wonderstrike. The Danish midfielder let leash from 20 yards out, putting his boot through the ball and getting enough on it to prevent Courtois from finding a touch.
Another Spurs shot from range this time deflects behind for a corner. A few groans around Stamford Bridge after that effort, with home fans not quite sure what is going on here - domination for the Lilywhites at the home of their London rivals.
Hardly the greatest of defending from the corner, but Son fails to find the target with the loose ball from the edge of the box. Chelsea finally have a chance to breath a little and mount a first attack of this match. The good news for Conte is that we have 75 minutes to go.
Chelsea fans urge their team forward as they continue to sit back and concede possession. Alonso and Moses playing as full-backs rather than wing-backs in the opening quarter of this one-sided contest in West London.
YELLOW CARD! David Luiz is shown a yellow for a lunging challenge, leaving him just one caution away from a suspension. Chelsea win a free kick of their own which causes some panic at the back for Spurs, but the offside flag was up.
Signs of Chelsea waking up at long last, as Pedro - one of three men over on the left - drifts into the box and draws a challenge. Far from vintage but that is as good as things have got for the hosts in the opening 22 minutes here.
SHOT! A good passing move from Spurs, with the visitors constantly having a spare player over, ends with Wanyama blasting a shot a yard or so over the bar. Conte will be half-thinking about a slight switch in formation.
YELLOW CARD! Mousa Dembele is the first Spurs player to enter the book, leaving them just eight short of equalling that record set here last season! A tad harsh, in truth, as he appeared to lose his footing when taking out his opponents.
Chelsea fans screaming at Courtois to go long from the goal kick, rather than playing it short. The Blues constantly losing possession in deep positions and being unable to get up the pitch, but the Belgian listens to their advice and the two wing-backs can finally get up high.
SAVE! A first save of the match for Lloris to make, coming at the end of one of Luiz's trademark free kicks. The ball swerved in the air but caused little trouble for the Frenchman, who just stood his ground and collected the ball.
This formation has been so good to Chelsea in recent weeks, but it is looking so weak at the moment. Kane being marked by three centre-backs, leaving the players in the hole to drift around completely at will. Alonso and Moses in turn are struggling to get out of their own half.
SAVE! Walker does brilliantly to drift past Alonso down the right and gets a shot away to test Courtois at the end of it. The ball goes behind for a corner, where Dier meets it only to send the ball right down the throat of Courtois.
SAVE! Another Courtois stop, this time to help Kane's bullet strike over the bar. We have seen games like this so often in the Prem this term - one team completely dominating, failing to make it count and then being made to pay.
Finally Moses gets high down the right, a good 20 yards further forward than his average position, sending a cross into the box which is deflected behind. A small step for Chelsea, but a sign perhaps that they are finally about to move out of first gear.
Shockingly bad from Alli who, after doing well to bring a long ball into the box under control, goes to ground after the smallest of flicks on his ankle. Eriksen, in seven yards of space, drives a shot over the bar when he had other options.
Eight goal attempts for Spurs in this first half compared to Chelsea's one - a Luiz free kick which Lloris comfortably kept out. Costa with the worst cross you will see all season, meanwhile, blasting the ball right through the box and out for a throw.
Spurs keeping that shot count ticking along, with Dembele again shooting wide from long distance. I'd be shocked if Conte does not change things around at the break; this formation has worked brilliantly for so long, but against this Spurs setup they are all over the place.
SAVE! Pochettino would have been fuming had this gone in, as Lloris passed the ball straight to Hazard, who set himself up for a shpt which the Frenchman did well to get down and collect. Half time fast closing in now.
GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (PEDRO)
Absolutely superb goal from Pedro, who curled the ball into the far corner following a cheeky Cruyff Turn to set himself up for the shot. A half dominated by Tottenham is going to end with the scoreline level, as we are seconds away from the interval.
HALF TIME: CHELSEA 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Referee Michael Oliver blows his whistle, bringing an end to a first half that Chelsea probably did not want to see end. They were second best for 44 minutes, but a late Pedro strike - and what a goal it was - has helped bring the scores level against Tottenham Hotspur. We should now be in for a thrilling second half at Stamford Bridge!
Bar a late blip, it was a first half completely dominated by Tottenham who accrued 10 attempts at goal to their opponents' three, but they could only take one of their openings. Harry Kane had the ball in the net inside the opening five minutes, only for the offside flag to correctly go up to cut short the Englishman's celebrations. Spurs were really enjoying themselves as the half wore on, and they were deservedly ahead with 11 minutes on the clock when Christian Eriksen put his boot through the ball from 20 yards out - the first goal Chelsea had conceded in 10 hours and one minute.
Things were to get worse before they got better for the hosts, though, with supporters growing restless at their wing-backs' inability to get out of their own final third; Spurs always seemingly having a man spare as they exposed Chelsea's previously-perfect 3-4-3 setup. Victor Wanyama had one attempt and Mousa Dembele a couple of his own, but Hugo Lloris was finally tested on the half-hour mark to keep out a David Luiz free kick in a fairly straightforward manner.
Normal service was soon restored in West London as Tottenham, playing more like the home side, fired in a couple more shots on target through Kane and Kyle Walker in quick succession, while Eric Dier also came close from a header which ended in a good position for Courtois to keep out. There was a sign that things were beginning to change in the closing stages of the half, though, as Eden Hazard doubled his side's shot tally after Lloris passed the ball straight to him, before Pedro curled home a stunning equaliser.
With time nearly up, the Spaniard - who barely had a touch of the ball in the attacking third all half - produced a Cruyff Turn to set up a shot which he sent straight into the far corner from 20 yards out. A third goal at Stamford Bridge in six appearances for Pedro, on top of a further five assists in that time, ensured that the scores were somehow level when referee Michael Oliver blew for the interval.
I mentioned prior to that Pedro strike that Conte may have been tempted to switch things ever so slightly, but a change at the break seems unlikely now. Pochettino, too, will probably bide his time with options from the bench pretty limited.
CHELSEA SUBS: Begovic, Ivanovic, Chalobah, Oscar, Fabregas, Willian, Batshuayi
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Vorm, Trippier, Carter-Vickers, Winks, Onomah, Nkoudou, Janssen
RESTART! No changes made by either manager at the break, as we get back under way at Stamford Bridge. Kante, of all people, with a shot on target in the early stages of this second half - a lack of precision costing him.
No sign of Conte changing his system, but it would have been interesting to see what he did had Pedro not scored that world-class goal on the brink of half time. As it is, we are locked at 1-1 here with 42 minutes remaining.
GOAL! CHELSEA 2-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (VICTOR MOSES)
Just like that Chelsea have the lead for the first time this evening! Costa did well to create it, charging into the box and biding his time before playing the ball right across for a completely unmarked Moses to smash home. It took a touch off Lloris and Vertonghen on its way, but the Nigerian will claim that.
CHANCE! Chelsea really should be two ahead; Alonso somehow failing to find the target when picked out 12 yards from goal with nobody around him. The wing-back got under Costa's pull-back, sending it into the stands.
I did say when Spurs were dominating that games so often turn with the blink of an eye, and that has proved to be the case because it's now all Chelsea. Moses sends in a cross that was crying out for a touch at the back post, but in the end it went right the way through.
All of a sudden it is Pochettino who is no doubt feeling stressed on the touchline, with Chelsea the side with a spare man during every attack. They win a corner which Matic flicked wide, bringing an end to their latest attacking move.
Credit to Spurs, because they have managed to click back into gear with some click passing inside the Chelsea half. Kante is such a force and wins his battle with Alli, but the ball is spread towards the right where a corner is eventually won.
Hazard sees his shot well blocked down, as Chelsea continue to knock on the door for a killer third. As things stand the Blues will end the weekend at the top of the Premier League pile, while Spurs are at risk of drifting further afloat.
SAVE! A mistake in midfield allows Kane to charge in behind. The angle is soon against him but he has the vision to spot Eriksen, who volleys into the hands of Courtois from eight yards out. This match is so finely poised, with just over 25 minutes to go.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Not seen a great deal from Son this evening, and he is the first to make way in place of Harry Winks. The youngster enjoyed a goalscoring full debut last week, so he will be on a real high right now.
Hazard's ball is almost flicked on by Luiz, but Dier remains strong at the back. Spurs will feel confident of nicking a second goal in the remainder, though they cannot afford to concede another as we approach the final quarter of the match.
Not a great deal happening at the moment, with the match showing signs of petering out following a frenetic hour or so of football. Alli almost through on goal but the offside flag worked against him, so still just the one goal in it.
Tottenham being allowed to bring the ball forward a little more now, but Chelsea have been so strong defensively, conceding just that one Eriksen goal in nearly 11 hours of play. Pochettino is about to make his second change of the match.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Pochettino makes the change that many would have anticipated - Georges-Kevin N'Koudou replacing a tiring Dele Alli. Width now provided, Spurs will look to stretch their opponents and finally get in behind.
Half a chance for Costa, as a cross from the left is helped wide of the target with his shoulder. It may have taken a slight touch off Vertonghen on its way through, but he still had the chance to head that or possibly take a touch of his own.
CHELSEA SUB! Not a bad first alteration for Chelsea to make, as Willian comes on in place of Hazard for the remaining minutes. Time fast running down for Spurs now, who are not doing a great deal to alter the scoreline.
An Eriksen corner finds its way through to Courtois. It was a decent delivery, which at the moment is proving to be Tottenham's best hope of finding a way through this stubborn Chelsea backline. Eleven minutes now left to play.
CHELSEA SUB! Willian is now out on the right for Chelsea and Pedro on the left, with Costa remaining through the middle. A slight bit of tinkering at the back, though, as Ivanovic adds some fresh legs in place of Moses.
Spurs really dominating possession now, but they are still not doing enough to truly trouble their opponents. The odd set piece is being won but they need to turn into into something tangible, with Courtois happily watching on at the moment.
SUBS! Both managers make their final changes in quick succession; Janssen replacing Dembele and Oscar coming on for Pedro. The closing stages of this game taking a familiar pattern, as Chelsea sit back and soak up all the pressure.
CHANCE! N'Koudou with some slick play to get into the box, but he goes for glory himself and tests Courtois with a rather tame effort. Willian was booked prior to that in a game that has lacked the edge of that previous meeting here.
Willian does well to peel off his marker and find a yard of space, sweeping a cross from the left narrowly over the bar. That certainly relieves some of the pressure on his side, and we are now into the final minute of normal time.
We are one minute into three added on, and it is Chelsea who are looking the more dangerous now. Spurs just haven't offered enough in an attacking sense in this second period, with Conte now urging his supporters to make some noise to see things through.
FULL TIME: CHELSEA 2-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
The full-time whistle sounds, meaning that Chelsea have done enough to climb back above Liverpool and Manchester City into first place. It was their weakest first-half showing in a long time, with Tottenham Hotspur dominating but only scoring the only goal through Christian Eriksen's belter. Pedro and Victor Moses hit back for the hosts, though, helping to end the Lilywhites' 12-game unbeaten league run in the process.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Stamford Bridge. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while full reaction from this game and all the others in the Premier League can be found elsewhere on the site. Thanks for joining!
