Tottenham peg Chelsea back from two goals down in pre-season clash at Stamford Bridge with Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura on the scoresheet after Hakim Ziyech's brilliant double had left the Blues cruising
- Chelsea had stormed into a two goal lead against Spurs thanks to Hakim Ziyech
- The Blues looked to be cruising before Lucas Moura's deflected strike
- Steven Bergwijn slotted from close range to ensure the friendly ended level
- Latest Premier League news, including all the build-up to the 2021/22 season
- The complete Premier League club-by-club list of transfers this summer
While two absent, elite goal-scorers were the talk of Stamford Bridge, Chelsea and Tottenham’s shared need for one was there for all to see as they played out a pre-season draw.
Chelsea’s performance with what was closer to a first XI was largely encouraging for much of the night but undone by a string of spurned opportunities as they were pegged back from 2-0 down.
The good news is by the time the real thing starts against Crystal Palace in ten days’ time they might have Romelu Lukaku in their ranks after he told Inter Milan he wants a Chelsea return and his Italian club to strike a £100m-plus deal with the European champions, who paraded their new trophy ahead of kick-off.
Steven Bergwijn (second right) and Lucas Moura (right) were both on target to help Spurs peg Chelsea back from two goals down in their friendly at Stamford Bridge
The hosts were dominant early on and cruised into a lead thanks to a Hakim Ziyech double
It was even stevens between Nuno Espirito Santo (L) and Thomas Tuchel (R) and both will have been pleased with various aspects of the game
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Far less certain is who will be Spurs’s main threat up front this season with Manchester City target Harry Kane wanting away and still not even back in the country, never mind at the club.
For most of the first hour, the prospect of life after Kane looked as unappealing as you might imagine for Spurs as they barely troubled Chelsea.
Their eventual second-half comeback, aided a little by Chelsea’s wholesale changes, would have been a source of encouragement for new boss Nuno Espirito Santo however.
Chelsea went ahead after 16 minutes with N’Golo Kante up to his old tricks.
Ziyech had put Chelsea ahead in the first half after rifling home following Kante's superb tackle
The Moroccan star is congratulated by Werner after his brilliant long range effort
Lucas Moura made the mistake of taking too long on the ball in midfielder while the ever-alert Frenchman was around and had it whipped off him.
The ball ran to Hakim Ziyech following Kante’s tackle and he drove at Spurs defence and took advantage of the space Timo Werner created with a run that distracted Eric Dier by firing through the gap and past Pierluigi Gollini from outside the box.
As Chelsea went onto dominate the next 15 minutes, the mind wandered to how Thomas Tuchel’s side would look an even more dangerous prospect with a No.9 like Lukaku spearheading their attack.
Tottenham struggled to lay a glove on Chelsea as they failed to have a shot in the first half
For a spell they looked like scoring every time they raided forward, which was a lot, and Spurs struggled to get any meaningful possession near Chelsea’s goal.
Timo Werner miscontrolled a Kai Havertz lay-off at the crucial moment then had an effort blocked by Dier before Ziyech left Gollini rooted to the spot but relieved when he bent an effort just wide.
Such was Chelsea’s intensity and dominance the ‘oles’ rang out around Stamford Bridge midway through the half before the pace of the game, surprisingly quick for a pre-season friendly but no doubt helped by the return of supporters, dropped a little.
But Werner and Ziyech still tested the busy Gollini before the half was out. One early, routine save aside, Edouard Mendy was a spectator.
Just after the interval Chelsea had their second and it was Ziyech at it again with his second
Forty seconds into the second half he was called on. Mendy could only tip Lucas Moura’s cross shot straight to Heung-Min Son who seemingly had a tap in.
But Trevoh Chalobah produced a brilliant diving block and the ball ricocheted back off Son and out harmlessly for a goalkick.
Zouma was next to frustrate Son with a perfectly-timed sliding tackle. Both those opportunities seemed to stir Chelsea back into life and soon after they scored a second when Werner, Kai Havertz and Marcos Alonso combined down the left before Ziyech fired a deflected effort past Gollini.
Werner scuffed one wide and was then frustrated by Gollini again.
Son Heung-min somehow failed to score from close range with the goal at his mercy
Lucas Moura got Tottenham back into the contest as his shot looped over the head of Mendy
Steven Bergwijn was the hero for Spurs as he slotted home the equaliser from close range
From nowhere Moura pulled a goal back with an effort that took a deflection and looped past the helpless Mendy.
And after subs Christian Pulisic and Tino Anjorin both tested Gollini again Steven Bergwijn beat Chalobah and squeezed a shot through Mendy’s legs.
And only an Ethan Ampadu goalline clearance prevented his fellow Welshman Ben Davies putting Spurs 3-2 up while Gollini, impressive on his first Spurs appearance, prevented Tammy Abraham putting Chelsea ahead by the same score.
Relive all the action from the night at Stamford Bridge with Sportsmail's OLI GAMP
It ends even stevens in west London.
Chelsea were the better side on the whole but Spurs deserve credit for clawing their way back after Hakim Ziyech had netted either side of half time.
Lucas Moura's deflected effort got one back before Steven Bergwijn fired home the equaliser. Both managers will be pleased with various aspects, and if Chelsea can keep that attacking verve throughout the season they could be real contenders.
Work to do for Tottenham defensively after some questionable work at the back tonight, but they've shown Nuno Espirito Santo still has the tools to compete after two wingers who aren't exactly first choice stepped up to deliver the goods.
THREE minutes added on.
Chelsea have a late corner after Pulisic's cross is blocked behind but the delivery is dealt with well by Spurs defenders...
A maurading run from Aurier and he picks out Son perfectly in the middle... but nothing comes of the chance.
Are we set for a late winner here?
More subs...
Chelsea:
OFF: Chalobah
ON: Miazga
Tottenham
OFF: Bergwijn, Doherty
ON: Scarlett, Aurier
Around 15 mins to play. This looked like Chelsea were going to cruise to victory here but we have quite a finale on our hands. A game of two halves as Spurs try to maintain some possession around their back line.
Ben Davies - who has just come on for Reguilon - shoots from close range and Chelsea are forced to clear off the line.
Well look what we have here! Out of nothing seemingly, Spurs have their equaliser.
A counter attack is led by Son, who has Bergwijn with him and he slots him on his way down the left. The Dutchman, who scored one league goal last season, carries on and bears down on goal from an angle before smashing home.
Gollini makes a great save to palm away another Ziyech effort.
Forgotten man Zappacosta makes a blinding run up the right flank but he's halted in his tracks by Reguilon.
Subs incoming:
Chelsea:
OFF: Werner, Ziyech, Alonso, Havertz, Kovacic, Zouma and Rudiger
ON: Sarr, Zappacosta, Ampadu, Anjorin, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy and Abraham.
Rudiger lets fly from distance after just receiving treatment on his eye - and it's on target as Gollini collects.
Chelsea are attacking so fluently here as Spurs fail to clear their lines - Pulisic has made a big impact from the bench and exchanges passes with Werner, but he takes too long before he can make his mind up about shooting and the chance is gone.
Spurs are back in it. Lucas Moura starts the move, charging forwards at goal, feeding in Alli, who carried it and flicked it back to the Brazilian. He takes one touch before firing an effort at goal, and it takes a wicked deflection and loops over Mendy's head.
Werner's smart touch takes the ball away from Dier after Pulisic sends a pass into the area, and he gets another shot on target that Gollini deals with. A positive display from the German so far but still not as lethal as you would hope.
Ziyech has another! Well Spurs should arguably be level but Chelsea could easily have added a second in the first half and they've got it here.
Werner runs down the channels and finds Pulisic, who pegs it back for Ziyech in the middle, and his shot bobbles into the far corner after a slight deflection.
Ooh, hello. Spurs didn't have a sniff for the entireity of the first half but they're nearly level immediately from the restart as Son is gifted possession in the box but can't get his footwork right and the shot is blocked by Chalobah and cleared away.
A few subs to make you aware of.
Chelsea:
OFF: Hudson-Odoi, Alonso
ON: Bakayoko, Pulisic
Tottenham:
OFF: Hojberg
ON: Winks
Well this is one-way traffic in every sense. Tottenham just haven't got going here, with Chelsea in full control and calling the shots.
N'Golo Kante has been absolutely everywhere - as you'd expect - and was crucial in their opening goal as his superbly timed tackle set Hakim Ziyech away to rifle home.
Chelsea have had a couple more chances to extend their advantage through Ziyech again and Werner, but they've stifled Spurs - who haven't had a shot so far, nor much of a kick.
Free kick to Chelsea just outside the box, Alonso is standing over it and this is his sort of territory... but the Spaniard smacks it against the wall.
More Kante sorcery as he zips around and plays in Ziyech - Skipp gets in to shephard the ball to safety but the midfielder picks it up again and finds Havertz, whose shot hits the target but isn't troubling the keeper.
Here's Kante again as he wins the ball of Dele Alli and Chelsea are away, finding Werner in the middle but his effort is palmed to safety by Gollini in goal.
The Blues are really slicing Spurs open like butter as Kante threads through another beauty and Ziyech is able to clip a cross into the area that is booted away.
Still no effort on goal from Tottenham.
Someone needs to Kante this is just a friendly. Seems he doesn't know the difference when he's on the grass as he outmuscles Reguilon and starts another counter attack.
Just past the half hour mark at the Bridge. Ziyech is down and needs treatment after going up in a challenge with Sergio Reguilon.
He's getting some treatment from the physios but manages to get up to his feet.
It's only a pre-season friendly, but Tottenham need a rubber dinghy because they look all at sea here.
Espirito Santo's men are able to keep a rare spell of possession, however, with Oliver Skipp charging forwards on the ball looking to impress.
Timo Werner has the goal in the back of the net after being played through and rounding Gollini in goal but the flag is up...
Mind you, the German looks way onside there. If this was a Premier League game there would be serious uproar about that. Chelsea fans enjoying themselves and olaying every pass as the Blues assert their dominance.
Chelsea still on the front foot. Werner sidesteps around Tangaga but his shot is blocked, it then falls for Ziyech to have another pop but this time it curls round the post.
Hakim Ziyech has the goal but this one is thanks to Mr Three Lungs N'Golo Kante.
It's been all Chelsea so far and the hosts have the goal they deserve as the French midfielder gets down low to win a superb sliding tackle and Ziyech is away, charging upfield before rifling into the corner.
Dele Alli plays a really weak pass that goes straight to the feet of Hudson-Odoi despite Reguilon making a good run in behind.
Every time the visitors get on the ball you sort of expect any chance to go begging.
Chelsea keeping the Lions' share of possession - Tottenham win it high up the pitch but immediately waste it and the Blues go on the charge again.
Hudson-Odoi picks out Ziyech in the middle, and he bends an effort that loops high over the bar and isn't going to trouble Gollini.
Quick Chelsea breakaway sees Werner running through on goal but Tanganga puts in a smart block to thwart him as he tries to get the cross in.
Both teams finding their feet - literally as we see a couple of scrappy passes and loose touches as the ball cannons around the middle of the park. Son nearly has a chance to dart in at goal but Zouma clears his lines.
Tottenham get us underway at the Bridge for this pre-season clash.
Any excuse for Chelsea to rub in Tottenham's lack of silverware...
We're well past freedom day so welcome back to a full capacity crowd at Stamford Bridge!
We went basically the entire campaign with no fans, and got a handful of supporters in for the final games, but it's great to see people flock to stadiums again, especially for a game between two Premier League big dogs.
Timo Werner struggled to show off his best quality last season - netting just 12 times, with sub option Tammy Abraham managing the same total. The Blues are in the market for a new striker and a return for Romelu Lukaku is thought to be in the offing.
So what an opportunity for Werner to stake his claim for a place and show his shooting boots have returned in west London.
Tottenham's pre-season has been centred around the future of their talisman Harry Kane, and that will remain the case until he is sold or the window slams shut.
He was due back in training on Monday but failed to show, and was also absent for the next two days with the England captain recently enjoying a holiday in the Carribbean after Euro 2020. He has effectively ruled himself out of the season opener against Man City - the club chasing his signature - after opting to spend another day in Florida on his way home.
He faces a period of isolation before he can return to training.
So Chelsea make two changes from the side that beat Arsenal as N'Golo Kante comes in for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Marcos Alonso is in for Christian Pulisic. It's a strong team from Tuchel with three at the back and Havertz, Werner and Ziyech leading the line.
Tottenham hand a debut to new goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, with young midfielder Oliver Skipp partnering Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, while Dele Alli gets another opportunity to impress behind Steven Bergwijn, Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min.
Spurs: Gollini, Doherty, Tanganga, Dier, Reguilón, Skipp, Højbjerg, Dele, Bergwijn, Lucas, Son.
Starting with the hosts...
Chelsea: Mendy, Zouma, Chalobah, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi, Kovacic, Kante, Alonso, Ziyech, Havertz, Werner
Football is back! Sort of...
We're going to get a taster of action from next season as Chelsea welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge for a pre-season clash in the Mind Series.
It's Thomas Tuchel vs Nuno Espirito Santo, it's a London derby and it should be intruging stuff as both managers cast an eye over their squads with the new season just weeks away.
Chelsea have already been in action in this tournament, beating Arsenal 2-1 thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Tammy Abraham, while Granit Xhaka scored for the Gunners. The Blues will be looking to make it two in a row against their old enemies as they look to outline their credentials as title contenders.
Join me for all the updates for this one, which kicks off at 19:45.
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