Avenging Spurs out to halt Chelsea steamroller

TOTTENHAM Hotspur will have revenge in mind when they tackle record-chasing Premier League leaders Chelsea beneath the White Hart Lane floodlights tonight.

Chelsea came from behind to win 2-1 when the teams last met in November, but it is last year’s 2-2 draw in May between the London rivals, which ended Spurs’ title hopes, that will be uppermost in the hosts’ thoughts. With Chelsea seeking to pull eight points clear at the summit and pursuing a 14th straight win – an unprecedented feat within a single English topflight season – the boot is now on the other foot.

“Maybe we will feel how Leicester felt last season, when all the teams were with them and against us,” Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said, citing the team who pipped his side to Premier League glory last season. “Maybe now we are Leicester.” Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge in November completed a run of one win in 10 matches in all competitions that suggested they would struggle to repeat last season’s exploits.

But since then Pochettino’s side have rediscovered their rhythm, winning five of their last six league games and scoring 18 goals.

They welcome Chelsea to north London 10 points behind the leaders, but seeking a fifth successive league victory.

A 4-1 win at Watford on Sunday, which followed a 4-1 success at Southampton, briefly took Spurs into the top four, only for Manchester City to supplant them by beating Burnley on Monday.

Dele Alli is the Premier League’s form midfielder, having scored five goals in his last three games, and he will not be satisfied with anything but victory against Chelsea.

“We’re in good form and we have confidence,” he said.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been doing his utmost to rattle Chelsea by saying it must be annoying that they have not been able to shake off his team.

However, his words came back to haunt him after Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland on Monday night left Chelsea five points clear.

Victory for Chelsea at Spurs will equal Arsenal’s overall record of 14 successive wins – set over two seasons in 2002 – and leave them one win from claiming the record.

Pedro Rodriguez returns from suspension for Chelsea and will hope to recover his place.

Spurs will welcome back firstchoice defenders Kyle Walker and Jan Vertonghen, both of whom missed the trip to Watford through suspension. – AFP