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Chelsea have just beaten West Ham 5-1, with two goals apiece from Hasselbaink and Gudjohnsen. Hasselbaink has made a quick return from injury, whereas we were hoping he would not be fit for the second leg of what is the most important match of the season so far. The blues are five points ahead of us in the league, and of course have that one goal advantage in this tie. With their strikers on top form, and our indifferent performances of late, there does seem to be a lot for us to do.......
Chelsea's last six away results:-
Man Utd 0 3 Chelsea
S'derland 0 0 Chelsea
Arsenal 2 1 Chelsea
Newcastle 1 2 Chelsea
Norwich 0 0 Chelsea
Bolton 2 2 Chelsea
.......One thing is for sure - there will be a full house and 33,000 Spurs fans will be baying for an end to that run. I'll be amongst them, and hope to report good news on Wednesday night!
Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Our previous League Cup results against Chelsea have been as follows:
SEASON ROUND H/A RESULT
71-72 SF/1 A 2-3
SF/2 H 2-2
90-91 5 A 0-0
5R H 0-3
01-02 SF/1 A 1-2
Chelsea go into Wednesday night's match with a narrow advantage from the
game played at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago. In that match, Chelsea's
twin-pronged attack of Hasselbaink and Gudjohnsen looked sharp. Spurs had
given Cudicini no trouble before the home side took a tenth minute lead.
Hasselbaink cleverly dummied the through ball that went to Gudjohnsen, who
immediately sent it past the defence where Hasselbaink had burst through
to have only Keller to beat, who stood no chance.
In the 65th minute, determined play from Sherwood and Gardner gave
Ferdinand a chance in front of goal, which he took with simplicity,
although the keeper got a touch of the ball before it hit the net.
In the 76th minute, the referee awarded a free-kick against Tottenham. It
took an age for him to be satisfied with the wall, before he gave the
signal for Hasselbaink to take his kick. Keller started going to his right
and was wrong-footed, as the 25 yards shot went to his left and crashed
the net.
The Second Leg will bring back many memories for those who saw the match
in January 1972, which I recounted in my preview for the First Leg.
Fortunately for Spurs fans, they had the last laugh. Chelsea had a
horrible February and March. They were beaten in the 5th Round of the FA
Cup by Orient 3-2. They were 2-0 ahead through goals by Dave Webb and
Peter Osgood at one stage before the O's scored three great goals,
courtesy of Phil Hoadley, Mickey Bullock and Phil Fairbrother. I enjoyed
seeing the highlights of that match on ITV's THE BIG MATCH! Spurs
travelled to Everton that day and beat the Merseysiders 2-0 thanks to
goals by Gilzean and Peters.
The following week, Stoke City beat Chelsea 2-1 in the League Cup Final.
Peter Osgood scored for Chelsea but goals by Terry Conroy and George
Eastham ensured the Cup went back to the Potteries. Spurs were home to
Manchester United that afternoon and beat them 2-0, thanks to goals by
Perryman and Chivers. Younger readers however should note that Manchester
United were a poor team in those days and nothing like the side associated
with them today.
A week after losing to Stoke, Chelsea drew 0-0 with Liverpool. But worse
was to come in midweek. Nottingham Forest, bottom of the First Division by
a mile, beat the Blues, 2-1. It was a truly horrible month for Chelsea. I
remember with much glee how I teased the Chelsea fans in my office and the
extremely rude language with which I was greeted, particularly one lad who
is now a senior BT executive who travelled everywhere with Chelsea, even
to Greece! In those days he was a scruffy individual who ate, slept and
drunk football ....
Hopefully, we will not have the sort of trouble that spoiled the match at
Stamford Bridge. Having clear memories of how hooliganism spoiled football
in the 1960s and 1970s, I have no wish whatsoever to return to those days.
I remember the match against Chelsea in April 1975. For reasons unknown to
me, Chelsea 'supporters' invaded the pitch at 2.45pm, threatening to delay
the start of the match. A great deal hung on the outcome of the game as it
was probable the losers would be relegated (as indeed Chelsea were). The
police were caught napping and failed to restore order. Whilst they were
waiting for re-inforcements, referee Jack Taylor strode out to the pitch
on his own with the match ball, ignoring the mayhem. In the centre circle,
he stood there, ignoring all the events around him, whilst an announcement
was made to the effect that he was prepared to wait until midnight to
start the game if need be. Taylor helped to clear the pitch and the game
was played without further trouble.
Whilst some of Spurs fans were no angels, Chelsea's were diabolical. Every
week, there were reports of their 'supporters' going on the rampage in
different locations and at motorway services. Thankfully, those incidents
have died away in recent years but the problems reported in the last few
weeks show that football must constantly be vigilant if we are not to have
to fight this particular battle again!
Spurs fans have not had much to smile about when they have played Chelsea
in recent years but I think we may well see some happy Spurs faces on
Wednesday night. Spurs only have to win 1-0 to go through to the Final at
Cardiff. It's a tall order but given Chelsea's Jekyll and Hyde
performances, I think we can do it ......
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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