Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of Chelsea’s pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur in the Mind Series.
Tonight's game will be the Blues' second of the triangular tournament; Thomas Tuchel's side defeated Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday at the Emirates to move top of the competition's mini-table.
The match at Stamford Bridge will be Tottenham's fourth of pre-season under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo. However, Spurs' preparations for the 2021/22 campaign have been somewhat overshadowed by the uncertainty over Harry Kane's future.
England's captain has not yet returned from his summer holidays amid interest from Manchester City and will not feature tonight, something that would've been the case even if he had reported for pre-season duty on time.
For Tuchel, tonight's game will be a vital opportunity to get further minutes onto the legs of his senior stars given Chelsea's campaign officially kicks off in a week's time.
The Blues will take on La Liga side Villarreal in the Spanish Super Cup next Wednesday in Belfast and the likes of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and N'Golo Kante will all need to up their match fitness ahead of that game.
We have got our team of writers on duty today at the game with Adam Newson and Sam Inkersole covering the Chelsea side of things and Alasdair Gold making sure nothing is missed from a Tottenham perspective.
As always, there will be player ratings, analysis and post-match reaction from both managers to come so don’t go anywhere for the next few hours, we have got you covered.
Key Events
Thomas Tuchel's post-match press conference
We're in position to hear from the Chelsea head coach. Imagine he'll be asked about Romelu Lukaku in addition to his thoughts on tonight's game.
Full time: Chelsea 2-2
It ends all square at Stamford Bridge after a thoroughly enjoyable game.
Hakim Ziyech struck in each half to put the Blues ahead. But Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn dragged Spurs level.
Gollini denies Abraham
Good run forward by Pulisic ends with him slipping in Abraham. Unfortunately for the Chelsea striker his effort is saved by Gollini
Tottenham level!
Steven Bergwijn scores the equaliser. He's worked hard tonight with little reward until now. Son puts him down the left and he cuts inside and sends the ball through Mendy's legs and into the net. 2-2.
Anjorin close
Lovely feet from Tino Anjorin to skip past two challenges and curl a shot to the far corner. Gollini gets down well to save.
Chelsea changes
We've hit the hour mark so here come the changes.
Zappacosta, Sarr, Ampadu, Kenedy, Loftus-Cheek, Anjorin, and Tammy Abraham being introduced.
Goal back for Spurs
Spurs get a goal back as Lucas Moura's shot is deflected up and over the wrong-footed keeper. 2-1.
Werner denied
Nice movement from the German to collect a pass from Pulisic and fire towards goal. Gollini is equal to the German's effort, though.
Goal! Ziyech again!
And it's a second goal for the Blues and Hakim Ziyech. Alonso cuts the ball back to former Ajax star and his shot across goal finds the far corner.
Early opportunity for Tottenham
Early second half chance for Spurs as Mendy spills a low Lucas cross towards Son but the Tottenham man can't force it home from six yards with Chalobah blocking his effort.
And we're back underway
More of the same is needed from a Chelsea perspective. Spurs must improve.
Changes for Chelsea
Christian Pulisic and Tiemoue Bakayoko introduced at the break. Off goes N'Golo Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Half time: Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
Hakim Ziyech's goal the difference between the two sides at the interval, but Chelsea have been by far the better side and N'Golo Kante is running the show out there.
Werner denied
N'Golo Kante is unreal. He wins the ball back twice in quick succession, it's then moved to Werner whose shot is saved.
Ziyech down
Clash between the Chelsea goalscorer and Sergio Reguilon. Hopefully Ziyech is ok to continue.
Big chance for Rudiger
Should probably be 2-0 Chelsea as Ziyech swings in an excellent corner and Rudiger, unmarked, heads over.
Werner goal ruled out
Timo Werner has the ball in the net but it's ruled out for offside. And that is exactly what happened countless times last season.
Ziyech close to a second
The Moroccan is inches away from his and Chelsea's second as he whips a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
Goal Chelsea!
Hakim Ziyech breaks the deadlock!
N'Golo Kante – who else? – wins the ball back in midfield. It falls to Ziyech who advances to the edge of the box before lashing his shot the net from 20 yards.
Alonso denied
Hudson-Odoi manages to dig out a cross near the corner flag and find Alonso. The Spaniard's header is tame, however, and saved.
Ziyech over
First chance for Chelsea this evening. Kante reclaims the ball in midfield and moves it to Ziyech. He exchanges passes with Callum Hudson-Odoi but guides his shot from 20 yards over the crossbar.
Chance for Tottenham
First chance for Spurs as Bergwijn picks out Son and his deflected shot is pushed wide by the keeper.
Spurs set up in a 4-3-3
The visitors continue with the 4-3-3 formation they've been using throughout pre-season, now with Hojbjerg sitting behind the duo of Dele to the left and Skipp to the right.
