Tottenham Thread

[chonabot]

Jol to take time over King return

King has been out for three months

Tottenham manager Martin Jol will only allow Ledley King to return to action when he feels the England defender is totally free of his foot injuries.

Although the 26-year-old says he will be fit to face Chelsea on Saturday, Jol refuses to put a date on any comeback.

King has been out since Boxing Day and Jol said: "He could be back in a week but I've said that before.

"I don't want to say anything to the supporters because he fell back before. You can't take a risk."

He is increasing his volume of running and doing a lot of ball work now

Martin Jol on Ledley King

Jol believes it is likely that King will need another two weeks on the sidelines.

Jol added: "I talked to him last week and he said 'I feel I'll be back against Chelsea away' and I said don't gamble on it.

"I can't push him. It wasn't only his left foot but his right as well.

"It's a matter of not pushing him."

King was initially sidelined with a stress injury to his left foot but has since suffered a problem with his right foot.

"It wasn't even broken," said Jol. "Robin van Persie at Arsenal had the same - they had to break his foot to get it right.

"We didn't want to break a bruised foot, which can be even worse than a broken one.

"He is increasing his volume of running and doing a lot of ball work now."

Shame he will miss the Sevilla tie...

COYS!

[MiG16]

ermmm

[chonabot]

ermmm

Don't be shy !

[chonabot]

Berbatov cool on fixture pile-up

By Stuart Roach

Berbatov is confident his team can progress in the Uefa Cup

Striker Dimitar Berbatov is confident Tottenham can overcome a hectic schedule to continue their pursuit of European glory this season.

Spurs beat Reading 1-0 on Sunday and play Sevilla in the Uefa Cup on Thursday - 41 hours before taking on Chelsea in the Premiership on Saturday.

"It is hard to keep going with games coming so quickly but the team support each other," Berbatov told BBC Sport.

"We've a good spirit, the gaffer tells us the team is the important thing."

My record in the Uefa Cup is good - we want to go all the way to the final

Dimitar Berbatov

Martin Jol's Spurs moved up to sixth place in the Premiership - and into the frame for qualifying for next season's Uefa Cup, with their win over the Royals.

And Tottenham can now look forward to Thursday's quarter-final, first-leg tie against Sevilla.

"With the busy schedule we have it was important to win against Reading," said Berbatov.

"We had many opportunities to score more and in the end were perhaps lucky to get three points. We may have to practice our shooting in training this week."

Berbatov insists it is the team ethic at Spurs that has helped him quickly come to terms with the rigours of the Premiership, while other big-name imports have struggled to instantly adapt.

"The team treats me so well and makes chances to help me relax and do my job," he added.

"My record in the Uefa Cup is good too and hopefully I can continue that because we want to go all the way to the final.

"It will be difficult in Spain on Thursday because Sevilla are a good team and play very good technical football.

"But if we can take our chances then a goal or two out there will be very good for us. That will be difficult but I am an optimist and hope we can do that."

Berbatov is refusing to look any further than Thursday's crucial tie, even though a trip to London rivals Chelsea quickly follows - so much so that the two games form part of the same trip for Spurs.

"We play Thursday, come back Friday and go straight to the hotel but that is the life of a footballer," he commented.

"I have no complaints about that. It will be very difficult but the most difficult part is probably that we play Chelsea on Saturday.

"We will see what we do on Thursday and then see what Chelsea brings. If we win in Spain then our self-esteem is going to be up but we can't talk about Chelsea until we have played Sevilla."

[markr]

ermmm

Thats what you'll be saying on the 21st Mig when you get beat at the lane!

"ermmm oh dear what happened there"

He hee hee

Mark

Come on you spurs

[chonabot]

Jol keen to restore Spurs glories

By Sam Lyon

BBC Sport Exclusive

Jol says Spurs have no reason to fear Seville in the Uefa Cup

Tottenham boss Martin Jol has pledged to lead the club back to the success they enjoyed in the 1960s ahead of their Uefa Cup quarter-final.

Spurs face Sevilla on Thursday in their first European quarter-final in 15 years, and Jol says it is another step in making the club "great" again.

"I honestly believe I can take Spurs back to where they were 40 years ago," the Dutchman told BBC Sport.

"Why shouldn't we challenge for titles and trophies? The potential is there."

Uefa Cup holders Sevilla are currently flying high in second spot in La Liga, and have a tremendous home record this season.

But Jol says Tottenham can conquer Europe this season, just as they did in 1984 against Anderlecht, on their way to replicating the success of Bill Nicholson's legendary 60s side.

606: DEBATE

Martin really is as affable and genuine as you would hope - and his ambitions for Spurs are undeniable

Sam Lyon

"We can definitely win the Uefa Cup," he said.

"We face probably the best side left in the competition, but we are a top team too and you have to beat these teams if you want to win trophies.

"With the players we have, and with the right mentality, we have no reason to fear anyone."

The Londoners' fortunes have improved dramatically under Jol following the 51-year-old's appointment as head coach in November 2004.

After missing out on European qualification by just three points in his first season, Jol led Spurs to fifth place last term, their highest finish in the league since 1990.

No other club outside of the top four can boast what we are doing this season

Martin Jol

And, with the club sitting pretty in sixth spot having contested three cup quarter-finals this campaign, Jol is happy with the progress the club is making.

"No other club outside of the top four can boast what we are doing this season," he told BBC Sport.

"But I know what the Spurs fans want and expect. The supporters want trophies as well as for us to be challenging the top four, and that's what everyone at the club wants too

"It won't be easy, but we have the fans, the name, the history, and we are building a very nice squad.

"People see the turnover at clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea of course, but it's not all about money.

"First and foremost it is about potential, and we have that here I promise you."

[MiG16]

"ermmm oh dear what happened there"

Mark

what happened/will happen is..Im eating 'chicken' tonight

[bkkandrew]

When, oh when will we drop the bloody brown strip? Every game we wear it we have a calamity, usually instigated by the referee. Yet again, last night great save by Robbo (BOTH HANDS TO THE BALL!!!), but, no, dodgy penalty...

[markr]

Gutted!

Never a penalty! shame we lost the plot afterwards, they looked a very average side!

Bring em down the lane!!!

Mark

[mrbojangles]

Never a penalty! shame we lost the plot afterwards, they looked a very average side!

Absolutely. If a goalie can't get to the ball AND save it with both hands, then they might as well just abolish Goalkeepers altogether !!

[Seapok]

Its that time again Chon, fancy your chances? we can not afford anything less than 3 points tomorrow!

Chelsea v Tottenham

Stamford Bridge

Saturday, 7 April

Kick-off: 1245 BST

Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on MOTD

Midfielder Joe Cole keeps his place in the Chelsea squad after his successful return to first-team action against Valencia in midweek.

Arjen Robben (knee) and Michael Essien (knee) are still out but Chelsea have no new injury worries.

Tottenham defender Ricardo Rocha is set to return after he was ineligible for Thursday's Uefa Cup defeat to Sevilla.

Skipper Ledley King is close to a return but he is unlikely to be risked against the Premiership champions.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Geremi, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, A Cole, J Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Makelele, Obi, Diarra, Drogba, Wright-Phillips, Boulahrouz, Shevchenko, Kalou.

Tottenham (from): Robinson, Stalteri, Chimbonda, Dawson, Young-Pyo Lee, Rocha, Lennon, Malbranque, Zokora, Jenas, Tainio, Ghaly, Keane, Berbatov, Cerny, Mido, Defoe, Taarabt, Ifil, C Lee.

Chelsea captain John Terry:

"All we can do at this stage of the season is keep winning, winning, winning. It's such a busy period but if we do keep winning, we're going to be successful.

"Manchester United are doing well, there's no denying that, but anything can happen and they've still got to come to our place.

"We beat Watford last Saturday in the end and we've now won 13 and drawn two of our last 15 games."

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson:

"We can't just sit there and moan about the penalty decision that went against us on Thursday, we've got a big game against Chelsea on Saturday and then Sevilla at the Lane next week.

"Chelsea have a strong squad whoever plays - whether it's Shevchenko, Drogba or Kalou up front - and we are preparing for another tough game.

"We've a good chance of getting back into the Uefa Cup through the league and that's what we're concentrating on."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

CHELSEA and Tottenham meet for the fourth time this season, in what had become the most one-sided fixture in Premier League history. The Blues go into this Easter Saturday lunchtime kick-off, in search of their 50th League victory over Spurs and keen to avenge their first ever Premiership defeat by Tottenham on Guy Fawkes Day last year.

The Premiership's top two, Manchester United and Chelsea are both on the longest current winning sequences in the Premiership of seven matches. The Stamford Bridge club has been keeping pace with the Red Devils and victory here will close the gap on the leaders to three points, for four and a half hours at the very least, until United conclude their tea time fixture at Portsmouth. Chelsea are hoping to extend their unbeaten home record run to 60 matches - which would take them to within three matches of the top flight record.

The Blues are bidding for their second victory over Tottenham in 19 days, after the 1-2 FA Cup quarter-final replay triumph at White Hart Lane.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR will arrive at Stamford Bridge just 38 hours after coming off the field in Spain, following their 2-1 defeat to Sevilla in the first leg of the Uefa Cup quarter-final. Domestically, Martin Jol's side are in great form, bidding for a sixth successive Premiership victory. The match pits the clubs second and third in the top flight's "form" table.

Spurs are aiming to match last season's highest ever Premiership finish of fifth. Their Premiership games have generated 88 goals so far this season (44 for and 44 against) - only Manchester United's have been more productive (95). This is the 10th London Premiership derby for both clubs. Chelsea have the edge with six wins, two draws and one defeat - Spurs have five wins, three draws and one defeat.

Hotspur produced a stunning and historical fightback in the reverse fixture in November against a Chelsea side reduced to 10-men after the sending off of John Terry. The 2-1 win was their first in the League over Chelsea since Gary Lineker famously got the winner in a 2-1 triumph at the Bridge in February 1990. Now Tottenham are vying to 'double' the Blues for the first time since 1970-71.

REFEREE

Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)

SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM

CHELSEA

2nd 72 points

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 2nd

Lowest could fall: 2nd

(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premiership fixtures)

1. Won 13 and drawn three of the last 16 in all competitions, since losing 2-0 at Liverpool on 20 January - their only defeat in 31.

2. Won eight more Premiership games than Tottenham (22 to 14).

3. Won the last seven Premiership matches with clean sheets in all seven and in nine of the last 10.

4. Not conceded in 702 minutes (11 hours 42 minutes) of Premiership football, since Jermaine Pennant scored Liverpool's second at Anfield on 20 January.

5. Had 80 points after 31 games in 2004-05 and 78 points to the same stage last season, but only 72 this time around.

6. Won 22 times in the top division so far this season - only Manchester United have gained more victories (25).

7. Opened the scoring in more Premiership matches than any other club (25), and failed to score in two, and only Manchester United can match that.

8. Kept 19 clean sheets in the Premiership (won 18, drawn one), and conceded the opening goal in only five top flight games - better than any other club on both counts.

9. Not lost a home Premiership game under Mourinho (won 43, drawn 10), nor been defeated in the top division at the Bridge since a 1-2 reverse to Arsenal on 21 February 2004 (won 47, drawn 12). If they can maintain that run until the end of this season they will equal Liverpool's top flight record of 63 home League matches without defeat. Combining Mourinho's record with FC Porto, he is unbeaten in 91 home games in the English and Portuguese leagues (won 79, drawn 12).

10. The away leg against Valencia in the quarter-finals of the Champions League follows this, before the FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn next weekend. The rest of the League programme takes in a short trip to West Ham, a long trip to Newcastle, a home fixture against Bolton, yet another London derby at Arsenal, the much-hyped home match against Manchester United and final home fixture against Everton.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Going into the weekend: 6th 48 points

(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premiership fixtures)

1. Won the last five Premiership matches against Everton (a), Bolton (h), West Ham (a), Watford (h) and Reading (h), with an aggregate of 14-6.

2. Not dropped a point since losing away to Sheffield United on 10 February.

3. Never achieved six victories on the bounce in the Premiership era.

4. Scored in each of the last six, and failed to score in one of the last 10 League outings.

5. The 1-0 home win over Reading in the most recent League game, was their first clean sheet in 21 Premiership matches. Managed only five shut-outs all season - the joint lowest with Newcastle and West Ham.

6. One stalemate short of 150 Premier League draws all time.

7. Won the last two away League encounters - losing one of the last five.

8. Own the longest goalscorers list in the highest League of some 16 players.

9. The return leg in the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup, home to Sevilla follows this. Thereafter are three Premiership fixtures in April, away to Wigan, home to arch rivals Arsenal and away to Middlesbrough.

KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES

CHELSEA

Didier DROGBA is the highest scoring Premiership player this season with 30 goals, 18 of which are League goals. The Ivory Coast International leads Manchester United's Cristiano RONALDO by two at the top of the table for the Barclays Golden Boot award.

Frank LAMPARD is the only remaining player to have started every one of Chelsea's Premiership matches this season.

If on the field from the outset, John TERRY will be making his 200th career League start (Nottingham Forest and Chelsea).

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Dimitar BERBATOV is Tottenham's leading scorer with 19 goals.

Jermain DEFOE and BERBATOV are the club's joint top marksmen in the Premiership, with eight each.

Steed MALBRANQUE is one shy of totalling 50 career goals for English clubs.

Paul ROBINSON is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Tottenham's Premiership matches this season.

If he continues in goal, ROBINSON will be making his 250th club career appearance (Leeds and Tottenham).

If he plays, Jermaine JENAS will be making his 50th Premiership appearance in a Tottenham shirt.

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

11 March 2006 - Ref: Graham Poll

Chelsea scorers: Essien 14, Gallas 90

Spurs scorer: Jenas 45

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea

5 November 2006 - Ref: Graham Poll

Spurs scorers: Dawson 25, Lennon 52

Chelsea scorer: Makelele 15

Sent Off: Terry (Chelsea) 72

HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS

Home and Spurs

League: Chelsea 49 wins, Spurs 41, Draws 27

Prem: Chelsea 18 wins, Spurs 1, Draws 10

at Chelsea only

League: Chelsea 27 wins, Spurs 19, Draws 12

Prem: Chelsea 9 wins, Spurs 0, Draws 5

[kerrs69]

Can someone tell me if this match is on thai tv if so what channel

Thanks in advance kerrs

Its that time again Chon, fancy your chances? we can not afford anything less than 3 points tomorrow!

Chelsea v Tottenham

Stamford Bridge

Saturday, 7 April

Kick-off: 1245 BST

Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on MOTD

Midfielder Joe Cole keeps his place in the Chelsea squad after his successful return to first-team action against Valencia in midweek.

Arjen Robben (knee) and Michael Essien (knee) are still out but Chelsea have no new injury worries.

Tottenham defender Ricardo Rocha is set to return after he was ineligible for Thursday's Uefa Cup defeat to Sevilla.

Skipper Ledley King is close to a return but he is unlikely to be risked against the Premiership champions.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Geremi, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, A Cole, J Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Makelele, Obi, Diarra, Drogba, Wright-Phillips, Boulahrouz, Shevchenko, Kalou.

Tottenham (from): Robinson, Stalteri, Chimbonda, Dawson, Young-Pyo Lee, Rocha, Lennon, Malbranque, Zokora, Jenas, Tainio, Ghaly, Keane, Berbatov, Cerny, Mido, Defoe, Taarabt, Ifil, C Lee.

Chelsea captain John Terry:

"All we can do at this stage of the season is keep winning, winning, winning. It's such a busy period but if we do keep winning, we're going to be successful.

"Manchester United are doing well, there's no denying that, but anything can happen and they've still got to come to our place.

"We beat Watford last Saturday in the end and we've now won 13 and drawn two of our last 15 games."

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson:

"We can't just sit there and moan about the penalty decision that went against us on Thursday, we've got a big game against Chelsea on Saturday and then Sevilla at the Lane next week.

"Chelsea have a strong squad whoever plays - whether it's Shevchenko, Drogba or Kalou up front - and we are preparing for another tough game.

"We've a good chance of getting back into the Uefa Cup through the league and that's what we're concentrating on."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

CHELSEA and Tottenham meet for the fourth time this season, in what had become the most one-sided fixture in Premier League history. The Blues go into this Easter Saturday lunchtime kick-off, in search of their 50th League victory over Spurs and keen to avenge their first ever Premiership defeat by Tottenham on Guy Fawkes Day last year.

The Premiership's top two, Manchester United and Chelsea are both on the longest current winning sequences in the Premiership of seven matches. The Stamford Bridge club has been keeping pace with the Red Devils and victory here will close the gap on the leaders to three points, for four and a half hours at the very least, until United conclude their tea time fixture at Portsmouth. Chelsea are hoping to extend their unbeaten home record run to 60 matches - which would take them to within three matches of the top flight record.

The Blues are bidding for their second victory over Tottenham in 19 days, after the 1-2 FA Cup quarter-final replay triumph at White Hart Lane.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR will arrive at Stamford Bridge just 38 hours after coming off the field in Spain, following their 2-1 defeat to Sevilla in the first leg of the Uefa Cup quarter-final. Domestically, Martin Jol's side are in great form, bidding for a sixth successive Premiership victory. The match pits the clubs second and third in the top flight's "form" table.

Spurs are aiming to match last season's highest ever Premiership finish of fifth. Their Premiership games have generated 88 goals so far this season (44 for and 44 against) - only Manchester United's have been more productive (95). This is the 10th London Premiership derby for both clubs. Chelsea have the edge with six wins, two draws and one defeat - Spurs have five wins, three draws and one defeat.

Hotspur produced a stunning and historical fightback in the reverse fixture in November against a Chelsea side reduced to 10-men after the sending off of John Terry. The 2-1 win was their first in the League over Chelsea since Gary Lineker famously got the winner in a 2-1 triumph at the Bridge in February 1990. Now Tottenham are vying to 'double' the Blues for the first time since 1970-71.

REFEREE

Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)

SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM

CHELSEA

2nd 72 points

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 2nd

Lowest could fall: 2nd

(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premiership fixtures)

1. Won 13 and drawn three of the last 16 in all competitions, since losing 2-0 at Liverpool on 20 January - their only defeat in 31.

2. Won eight more Premiership games than Tottenham (22 to 14).

3. Won the last seven Premiership matches with clean sheets in all seven and in nine of the last 10.

4. Not conceded in 702 minutes (11 hours 42 minutes) of Premiership football, since Jermaine Pennant scored Liverpool's second at Anfield on 20 January.

5. Had 80 points after 31 games in 2004-05 and 78 points to the same stage last season, but only 72 this time around.

6. Won 22 times in the top division so far this season - only Manchester United have gained more victories (25).

7. Opened the scoring in more Premiership matches than any other club (25), and failed to score in two, and only Manchester United can match that.

8. Kept 19 clean sheets in the Premiership (won 18, drawn one), and conceded the opening goal in only five top flight games - better than any other club on both counts.

9. Not lost a home Premiership game under Mourinho (won 43, drawn 10), nor been defeated in the top division at the Bridge since a 1-2 reverse to Arsenal on 21 February 2004 (won 47, drawn 12). If they can maintain that run until the end of this season they will equal Liverpool's top flight record of 63 home League matches without defeat. Combining Mourinho's record with FC Porto, he is unbeaten in 91 home games in the English and Portuguese leagues (won 79, drawn 12).

10. The away leg against Valencia in the quarter-finals of the Champions League follows this, before the FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn next weekend. The rest of the League programme takes in a short trip to West Ham, a long trip to Newcastle, a home fixture against Bolton, yet another London derby at Arsenal, the much-hyped home match against Manchester United and final home fixture against Everton.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Going into the weekend: 6th 48 points

(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premiership fixtures)

1. Won the last five Premiership matches against Everton (a), Bolton (h), West Ham (a), Watford (h) and Reading (h), with an aggregate of 14-6.

2. Not dropped a point since losing away to Sheffield United on 10 February.

3. Never achieved six victories on the bounce in the Premiership era.

4. Scored in each of the last six, and failed to score in one of the last 10 League outings.

5. The 1-0 home win over Reading in the most recent League game, was their first clean sheet in 21 Premiership matches. Managed only five shut-outs all season - the joint lowest with Newcastle and West Ham.

6. One stalemate short of 150 Premier League draws all time.

7. Won the last two away League encounters - losing one of the last five.

8. Own the longest goalscorers list in the highest League of some 16 players.

9. The return leg in the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup, home to Sevilla follows this. Thereafter are three Premiership fixtures in April, away to Wigan, home to arch rivals Arsenal and away to Middlesbrough.

KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES

CHELSEA

Didier DROGBA is the highest scoring Premiership player this season with 30 goals, 18 of which are League goals. The Ivory Coast International leads Manchester United's Cristiano RONALDO by two at the top of the table for the Barclays Golden Boot award.

Frank LAMPARD is the only remaining player to have started every one of Chelsea's Premiership matches this season.

If on the field from the outset, John TERRY will be making his 200th career League start (Nottingham Forest and Chelsea).

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Dimitar BERBATOV is Tottenham's leading scorer with 19 goals.

Jermain DEFOE and BERBATOV are the club's joint top marksmen in the Premiership, with eight each.

Steed MALBRANQUE is one shy of totalling 50 career goals for English clubs.

Paul ROBINSON is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Tottenham's Premiership matches this season.

If he continues in goal, ROBINSON will be making his 250th club career appearance (Leeds and Tottenham).

If he plays, Jermaine JENAS will be making his 50th Premiership appearance in a Tottenham shirt.

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

11 March 2006 - Ref: Graham Poll

Chelsea scorers: Essien 14, Gallas 90

Spurs scorer: Jenas 45

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea

5 November 2006 - Ref: Graham Poll

Spurs scorers: Dawson 25, Lennon 52

Chelsea scorer: Makelele 15

Sent Off: Terry (Chelsea) 72

HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS

Home and Spurs

League: Chelsea 49 wins, Spurs 41, Draws 27

Prem: Chelsea 18 wins, Spurs 1, Draws 10

at Chelsea only

League: Chelsea 27 wins, Spurs 19, Draws 12

Prem: Chelsea 9 wins, Spurs 0, Draws 5

[chrisspursbkk1]

Gutted!

Never a penalty! shame we lost the plot afterwards, they looked a very average side!

Bring em down the lane!!!

Mark

To right Mark were smash them there!

Chris.

[colino]

i thinks spurs will cause a bit of a shock today 2-1 but hey what do i know im a saints supporter

[markr]

i thinks spurs will cause a bit of a shock today 2-1 but hey what do i know im a saints supporter

You know enough my friend, thats a good shout!

Mark

[Seapok]

Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham

Chelsea closed the gap on Premiership leaders Manchester United after Ricardo Carvalho's strike gave them victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

The defender made a rare venture into the Spurs half and fired a low 30-yard drive past the reach of Paul Robinson.

Frank Lampard had a volley blocked by Michael Dawson while Salomon Kalou wasted a 12-yard shot for the Blues.

Spurs' best chances came from strikers Mido and Dimitar Berbatov who both had headers tipped over by Petr Cech.

Neither team played at 100%, which was not a huge surprise considering the Premiership fixture was sandwiched between the two sides' respective European ties.

And with Thursday's return leg against Sevilla in mind, Spurs boss Martin Jol chose to leave out five key players from the starting XI, including Dimitar Berbatov, Aaron Lennon and Robbie Keane.

But by choosing to sacrifice the creative force, Jol's XI produced very litttle threat for much of a game dominated by a 'second string' Chelsea, which on paper looked just as strong as the first team.

The Blues, in with a shout of winning a unique quadruple, did not let the new-look Spurs settle during the match with Claude Makelele forever snapping at the heels of his opposing midfielders.

Up front Mido and Jermain Defoe, who have not played many games of late, looked rusty for Spurs and were well shackled by Carvalho and skipper John Terry.

Mido, who is unlikely to feature in the Jol's squad next season, almost made amends for his largely lackadaisical first-half efforts by giving Spurs a surprise lead after the break, but his bullet header from six yards was brilliantly tipped over by Cech.

Just a few minutes later, Chelsea took the lead through an unlikely source when defender Carvalho, who had a shot saved in the first half, rifled in a 30-yard angled shot from the right.

It was deserved reward for the home side who posed more problems in the Spurs area, with Lampard's volley blocked by Michael Dawson and Wright-Phillips just missing with a fizzing drive earlier in the game.

Salomon Kalou should have given his side a little bit more daylight following Carvalho's goal, but failed to get a good connection on Didier Drogba's square pass from 12 yards, allowing Robinson to scoop the ball away.

Spurs upped their tempo and 17-year-old substitute Adel Taarabt came close to bringing the scores level with almost his first touch, but his low 20-yard shot was tipped away by the alert Cech.

Jol then added Berbatov to the proceedings, and the Bulgarian also almost gave the travelling fans some cheer, but his powerful header was once again tipped over by Cech.

Tottenham pressed more, but Chelsea doggedly hung on to their 1-0 lead as they have done so many times this season to keep the heat on leaders Manchester United and keep them in the hunt for the quadruple.

[Seapok]

i thinks spurs will cause a bit of a shock today 2-1 but hey what do i know im a saints supporter

You know enough my friend, thats a good shout!

Mark

Obviously doesn't know too much!! great shout..

[markr]

i thinks spurs will cause a bit of a shock today 2-1 but hey what do i know im a saints supporter

You know enough my friend, thats a good shout!

Mark

Obviously doesn't know too much!! great shout..

You can goad seapok,you can goad, but................... our day will come!!!!!!!

Enjoy your wealth while it lasts

I have nothing more to say on this matter

Come on you spurs onwards and upwards!!

[chonabot]

Tottenham must decide whether to play centre-back Ledley King, who has been out since Christmas with a foot injury.

With Anthony Gardner injured and Ricardo Rocha ineligible, boss Martin Jol may have to gamble on King.

Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov, Aaron Lennon and Didier Zokora all return after being rested at the weekend.

Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop has been ruled out with a calf injury so David Cobeno will deputise in goal. Luis Fabiano returns from his ban.

News conference: Spurs boss Martin Jol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sevilla (from): Cobeno, Javi Varas, Hinkel, Daniel Alves, Navarro, Ocio, Escude, Dragutinovic, Puerta, David, Poulsen, Renato, Maresca, Marti, Jesus Navas, Adriano, Kanoute, Luis Fabiano, Kerzhakov

[muckypups]

Best of luck to the Hotspurs tonight Chon.. just take a leaf out of United's book.. hang on though, does your scoreboard go up to seven?

[chonabot]

Best of luck to the Hotspurs tonight Chon.. just take a leaf out of United's book.. hang on though, does your scoreboard go up to seven?

Aye, it goes up to 9 , ask Bristol Rovers......

[nev]

good luck spurs tonight!!!!

[muckypups]

Aye, it goes up to 9 , ask Bristol Rovers......

Didn't know Bristol Rovers beat you 9-0..

[markr]

LEDLEY'S BACK!

Ledley King is back in the squad for tonight's UEFA Cup quarter-final, second leg against Sevilla at the Lane.

The skipper has been out with foot problems since the win against Aston Villa on Boxing Day but is named in a 20-man squad preparing to meet the La Liga title challengers.

It looks like a case of perfect timing as well with fellow centre-backs Anthony Gardner injured and Ricardo Rocha ineligible for the UEFA Cup having played in the Champions League for Benfica.

With left-backs Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Lee Young-Pyo (both knee) also out and Paul Stalteri (hip) a doubt, Martin Jol faces a defensive headache as we attempt to pull back a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.

Good luck boy's

[mrbojangles]

Good luck tonight, all you Totters Hotters fans

[Backpack_thailand]

Anyone know if UEFA Cup is on Thai TV Channel 7 tonight..??

[Seapok]

Unlucky Chon, the game was lost in the 1st 10 mins! Ledley was clearly not ready for a come back just yet! I work with 7 Spurs fans, so tomorrow will be interesting!

[chonabot]

Cheers mate , I was well gutted, 10 minutes gone and we needed 4 , against a useful side.

Still the final scoreline was respectable, still nowhwere near the standard required to make the top flight.

Hopefully we'll scrape a top 6 place and improve next year. Hope a Brit club win the 'other' Euro competition [ seems likely ]

[Backpack_thailand]

I thought we were superb last night. Apart from the first 10 mins before we actually woke up (!!) Sevilla were no better than us. The boys should be proud and the future looks bright, good experience for some of the younger players (Lennon, Dawson etc.).

Martin Jol need to sign 2 or 3 experienced but not over-the-hill players in the summer and I reckon we'll be there or thereabouts. A left back and left winger FOR SURE and one genuine world class central midfielder who can take hold of a game.

It's good building up the younger squad but if the whole squad is young and inexperienced then who do they learn from..??

UEFA CUP..?? Mickey Mouse trophy, we'll be playing Champs League before you know it!

THE ARSE COME TO THE LANE IN 2 WEEKS (28TH)...!!!

[nev]

unlucky lads,,only saw about 20 minutes of the begining of the 2nd half had to go to work,but you looked good in that spell.

the spurs fans where great all standing up and singing,, the way football should be.