We went into the match hoping for a good performance and three points. We got the former, but sadly not the latter.

A Pavlyuchenko opener for Spurs deflated Chelsea early on, yet a Didier Drogba goal courtesy of a rubbish save by Gomes sealed a point at least, yet a penalty in injury time that wasn’t converted by Didier meant we had to settle for the one, rather than all three.

However there were enough positives to take away from the game that we can be hopeful for the next two fixtures against Manchester United and Arsenal.

Despite many of us having nightmares about Bale against Ferreira, the Portuguese defender put in a solid display, limiting Bale’s influence on the match.

Ramires also put in a good shift, showing strength and running constantly with some good passing and movement. He and Essien in the centre of a flat middle four looked better than they have together co-operating in a middle three.

It was also great to see Lampard in a blue shirt again. Frank will be understandably rusty yet his presence alone gives opponents something to think about, and if you’re wondering why he didn’t take the penalty that could have won us the game, see his post match interview on TheChels.tv to see why.

Terry looked back to his best after his recent absence, putting in a commanding performance both at the back, and the front, leading the team by example on many occasions. These things only bode well for the future.

Speaking after the match, Terry said; “I thought we fully deserved to win the game, especially second half we dominated. Spurs started very well, got the goal and made it difficult at times but that was more like the Chelsea we all know.”

“Playing like we did the second half, things are back to normal. The hunger, the spirit, the determination – we pressed a lot better, especially in the second half and that is what we want from a Chelsea side. You can lose or draw games, I think the fans appreciate that, but it is when they don’t see the passion that it hurts.”

Terry stated; “I’ve never doubted the players, never doubted the manager, never doubted the football club, nothing much has changed from last year when we won the Double and let’s not forget that. We were the best team by a long way and at the moment no team has hit their top form.”

“The last couple of weeks we would all admit that some of the passion for no one reason was not there but we have it back now. Hopefully the game on Monday night between Man United and Arsenal will be a draw, that will suit us.”

“Then we have got Man United to come to the Bridge and we go away to the Emirates which is always tough, but things are looking up.”

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry (c) Cole; Ramires, Mikel, (Drogba h-t), Essien; Kalou (Sturridge 67), Anelka, Malouda (Lampard 77).

Goal: Drogba 69.

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An absorbing match at White Hart lane saw Chelsea come away with a point, yet had it not been for a late Didier Drogba penalty miss, we could have won the match.

The goal came courtesy of Drogba, and poor keeping by Gomes, and Chelsea on the whole looked better than in recent weeks.

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This afternoon Chelsea face Spurs at White Hart Lane, in what begins a run of matches that could shape the destiny of our domestic campaign.

After Spurs, our two following matches are against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge then Arsenal at the Cameldome. If November felt bad, December could end a lot worse.

Tottenham have been in good form recently and have surprised almost everyone with the Champions League performances and group standing, whereas we know only too well how our recent run of matches has ended.

This match could be the turning point in our recent horrible run of form, everything is pointing to a win for Tottenham. We’re still missing key players, and Bale vs Ferreira looks a nightmare waiting to happen.

Yet how many times in the past has the underdog (and we are the underdog in this match) surprised everyone? Tottenham are flying, that could turn to complacency.

Chelsea are stabilising, if Carlo’s words are to be taken at face value, how much could that steady the boat and allow the players to concentrate on the football?

In terms of personnel available to Ancelotti, Lampard is still one more week away from returning to action and may play in a practice match on Thursday, ahead of the United match. Terry is fit yet Bosingwa can’t play after his injury midweek.

Speaking about the reasons behind our recent slump, Ancelotti noted; “I think there is more than one reason.
The first is maybe the players are not 100 percent fit, the second is that we played too slow and the third is we need more focus when we shoot.”

Expanding on his reasoning, he said; “First I think that I can speak about Didier. Didier is not fit 100 percent, he had malaria and this caused fitness problems. He is not quick enough in this moment.”

“The second reason is maybe we are too slow to arrive in front, so there is no space to pass the ball to our players. When I say that we play too slow from the back, I think this is one of the reasons we had more difficulties to score,” said the Italian.

“But if we look at the game against Birmingham we had many chances to score but missed the last passes or the shots, so this is maybe the third reason.”

Michael Essien certainly believes we can turn the corner, stating that we have the players to do the job.

“It is always very difficult to go to White Hart Lane, but we do have the players to do it. We just have to play our game, concentrate on our football and come out onto the pitch with a winning spirit. The game plan is simple, go out there and get the three points.”

“We focus on the game, not the crowd. We know they will be singing and shouting and it’s down to us to concentrate, play our football and try to win the game. We have to get ourselves back to winning ways. We were a bit unlucky against Everton, but now it is time for us to turn things around because we have not been winning games and it is not good.”

Speaking about his role in the team, Essien noted; “My role hasn’t changed, I just try to follow the attack, I manage to get some goals but without Lamps I haven’t tried to get more forward.”

“I always work hard for the team and I just want the team to win three points no matter who we play. That’s what’s most important to me.”

To us too Michael, so go out there and get them this afternoon, and play like Champions.

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Chelsea’s title ambitions took a hefty blow after a 2-1 loss to Tottenham at White Heart Lane.

Manchester United’s typically late win against Manchester City earlier in the day meant that the Blues lead had been cut down to a solitary point and so it remains, heading into the final three matches of the season.

Ancelotti reverted back to the side that won the FA Cup semi final against Aston Villa. That meant that Deco was preferred to Ballack in midfield, whilst Malouda and Joe Cole joined Drogba in attack. Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic were both fit enough for the bench, in a welcome boost.

Roman Pavlyuchenko was preferred to Peter Crouch as Jermaine Defoe’s strike partner and it was the Russian who caused Chelsea early problems. However, Florent Malouda kept Spurs on their toes by twice testing goalkeeper Hereulho Gomes, who was up to the task.

Spurs though took the lead and after perhaps getting away with one last week, John Terry was the man penalised for handball. Despite missing six of his last ten attempts from the spot, Defoe drilled past Cech to convert the chance.

Cech made a good save from Pavyluchenko before John Obi Mikel was substituted with an injury, Ballack taking his place. Malouda had a goal disallowed for offside, before Spurs doubled their lead through Gareth Bale. The Welshman turned inside Ferreira before shooting with uncharacteristic accuracy with his right foot past Cech.

Ivanovic and Anelka were introduced at half time but the sending off of John Terry swung the game further in favour of Spurs. Gudjohnsen replaced Defoe as Spurs looked to retain possession and Lampard’s late goal was nothing more than a consolation strike for Chelsea, who will need to improve vastly if they are to complete the double.

Chelsea can take another huge step to regaining the English Premier League by beating Tottenham at White Hart Lane this weekend.

Spurs themselves did Chelsea a huge favour by beating Arsenal last week, so hopefully they will be in just as helpful a mood this weekend.

With the title within arms reach, Ancelotti has been using a 4-3-3 formation of late, rotating the centre forward and support players, ahead of the spine of Mikel, Lampard, Alex and Terry.

Branislav Ivanovic may be fit to start, whilst Deco, Joe Cole and Malouda are all possibilities of a recall. It remains to be seen whether Drogba or Anelka starts, or whether they are deployed in tandem.

Spurs are missing Danny Rose, scorer of a wonder goal against Arsenal last week. The young wide player will be replaced by David Bentley. Vedran Corluka could return, though former Chelsea favourite Eidur Gudjohnsen is likely to be a substitute, with Defoe, Crouch and the revitalised Pavlyuchenko seemingly preferred.

Chelsea are four points clear of Manchester United and six clear of Arsenal, with four games remaining. Spurs meanwhile, are one point behind Manchester City in the race for fourth and five points ahead of Liverpool, with a game in hand over Rafa Benitez’s side.

Unusually, Chelsea haven’t won at White Heart Lane since 2005, a game in which the infamous Asier del Horno scored his only Chelsea goal. Last season’s corresponding fixture was the legendary Guus Hiddink’s only defeat in charge of Chelsea, who went down courtesy of a 50th minute goal from Luka Modric. Erratic keeper Heurelho Gomes was particularly outstanding that day.

Ladbrokes has installed Chelsea as short priced 10/11 favourites away from home, with the draw at 12/5. Tottenham though, are a teasing 3/1 to record a win that would hugely affect the title race.