LONDON (AFP)
Chelsea missed the chance to close the gap on Tottenham in the
race for a top-four finish on Saturday, drawing 0-0 in the
Premier League's early kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
The draw left fifth-placed Chelsea five points adrift of a
coveted Champions League qualifying berth, and fourth-placed
Tottenham were unlucky not to take all three points after twice
going close late on.
Spurs, bidding to secure their first league win at Chelsea since
1990, enjoyed the better of the chances without ever managing to
dominate their London rivals in a game played in brilliant
sunshine.
The best chance of a lackustre first half came two minutes into
injury time, when Tottenham attacker Rafael van der Vaart spurned
a golden opportunity, denied by a Petr Cech save and a goal-line
block by Ashley Cole.
Chelsea's only genuine chance on goal came on 73 minutes when a
Juan Mata free-kick hit the woodwork with Tottenham goalkeeper
Brad Friedel well-beaten.
Blues substitute David Luiz was unable to get into position to
rifle in the rebound and the chance had gone.
At the other end, Chelsea had transfer window signing Gary Cahill
to thank for a superb sliding block from Emmanuel Adebayor on 79
minutes, the England international cutting out the Togolese
striker's effort after he had successfully rounded Petr Cech and
shot.
From the ensuing corner Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale crashed
a thumping header off the crossbar but Chelsea escaped again.
In the final minute of injury time Cech was on hand once more to
parry away a vicious long-range free-kick from Bale as Chelsea
hung on for the point.
In later games on Saturday, Manchester City will bid to reclaim
top spot with in the title race with victory at Stoke, with
Manchester United not playing Fulham until Monday.
