FA Cup preview: Chelsea v. Tottenham Hotspur
Saturday, 10 March 07, 02:02 PM · Comments (4)
Remember, remember the fifth of November?
Four months have passed since that fateful day at White Hart Lane - the day Tottenham finally lifted the hex Chelsea held over them since 1987. No more Three Point Lane taunts.
There are no points to play for in this game, just a place in the next round and an equally impressive record that Chelsea won't want to lose: Spurs have not won at Stamford Bridge since a 1-2 top flight triumph on the 10th February 1990.
Jose Mourinho will not want to suffer the ignominy of losing both Chelsea's unbeaten records against Spurs in the same season.
A defeat in this game would also be Mourinho’s first domestic home defeat as Chelsea manager.
The biggest decision facing Mourinho is whether to recall John Terry.
He said yesterday: "He is all clear. I want him to play and I think he is ready to play. John wants to play, he thinks he is ready to play.
"But this is the kind of decision I cannot make. It is up to the medical department to decide."
Chelsea have no other injury worries, with Joe Cole the only long-term absentee.
Martin Jol will be without Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Ledley King, while Jermaine Jenas remains a doubt with a groin problem. Mido may return after having a cyst on his knee.
The last time Chelsea and Spurs met in the Cup was in the quarter-finals at White Hart Lane on 10th March 2002, when Eidur Gudjohnsen got a double, and William Gallas and Graeme Le Saux helped themselves to one each.
Chelsea went on to reach the final at the Millennium Stadium but lost 2-0 to Arsenal.
The Blues' last Cup final success was the last final to be contested at the old Wembley when they beat Aston Villa 1-0 in 2000.
With the FA taking control of the new Wembley keys on Friday, Chelsea are aiming to be the first to lift the Cup at the revamped stadium on 19th May.
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hell of the game it was, wasn't it? Just shortly - players like Ferreira, SWP shouldn't even be permited to go closer to Stamford! Their performance was shit.
Damn, if I was Japanese, I'd have to kill myself for missing the second half. Had to go to the cinema... ARGHH!!! Was absolutely thrilled when for a "86 min. Kalou. 3-3" sms. Just screamed "YES!!!" not realizing people were actually watching the film. Silly, silly people.
4 Comments · Add yours
Nothing tastes better than sweet revenge.
Did that match just happen, or have I been unconscious for the past two hours?
Absolutely amazing. We were incredibly lucky in the end, thanks to TSO'S ABSOLUTE GENIUS. No other manager would be audacious enough to leave on two defenders in searching for an equaliser. I always had faith we'd pull back and draw at least.
Drogba and Lampard continue to be the absolute lynchpin in our side. Diarra was a liability in the first half; we've been playing him so much at right-back that he forgot he needs to stay in the middle. We missed Mikel.
JT should be back for the replay, and Jose will NOT let us defend that badly again. I expect a win.