Chelsea vs Tottenham: A gruelling inter-city rivalry in recent seasons

October 20, 2012- Tottenham 2-4 Chelsea

William Gallas of Tottenham Hotspur after scoring during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at White Hart Lane on October 20, 2012

Tottenham boss Villas-Boas was facing Chelsea for the first time since he was sacked in March after only nine months in charge and for a brief spell in the second half of the game, it looked like he would celebrate with three points.

The match at White Hart Lane was won by Chelsea 4-2. A Gary Cahill volley after 17 minutes was the only goal of the first half but Spurs went ahead with goals from William Gallas and Jermain Defoe after the resumption of the second half. A brace from Juan Mata and a Daniel Sturridge goal gave Chelsea three points.

Behind the many headlines, there was much deserved admiration as a revolution gathered pace at Chelsea. Juan Mata, ironically brought in at Chelsea by Villas-Boas, proved instrumental in handing Chelsea the win and subsequently, earning rave review for his display in the match.