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Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs return to the top of the Premier League

By Neil JohnstonBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments914

Chelsea's Timo Werner in action against during the Premier League game with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge
Timo Werner had a goal ruled out for offside in a cagey first half which saw just two attempts on target

Tottenham returned to the top of the Premier League despite being held by Chelsea in a highly-competitive yet goalless London stalemate.

The eagerly-anticipated fixture between two teams in excellent form failed to produce a goal as both sides cancelled each other out at Stamford Bridge.

Edouard Mendy kept out Serge Aurier's ferocious strike while Steven Bergwijn scooped another Spurs chance over the bar.

Chelsea were looking to celebrate Roman Abramovich's 1,000th game as club owner with victory over a Spurs team managed by their former boss Jose Mourinho.

The Blues struggled to carve out clear-cut chances although Hugo Lloris produced a great late save to deny Mason Mount.

Spurs, replaced at the top by Liverpool on Saturday, return to the summit, level on 21 points with the Reds but with a superior goal difference.

Chelsea are two points behind in third spot.

Free-scoring Chelsea frustrated

Frank Lampard's Chelsea have impressed in front of goal this season but were unable to unlock Tottenham's solid defence, where Joe Rodon impressed on his first top-flight start.

Lampard has added new dimensions in attack in 2020-21 in the shape of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, with both Ziyech and Werner starting in London.

The German forward thought he had given the hosts the lead with an excellent finish only for it to be disallowed by an offside flag, while Ziyech lashed a rare chance wildly over the bar.

In the closing stages Mount let fly from distance but Lloris got down smartly before the France keeper denied substitute and fellow countryman Olivier Giroud to ensure Spurs recorded a fourth straight clean sheet.

Lampard and Chelsea are making progress, the Blues unbeaten in the Premier League since 20 September.

Having qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League with two games to spare, they are in a healthy position in a tightly-packed group near the top of the Premier League after ending Tottenham's five-match winning run.

Chelsea 0 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur: Frank Lampard thought Chelsea 'were on top' of Spurs

Spurs well placed after surviving big test

Tottenham could have made a serious title statement by following up victory against Manchester City with another success at Stamford Bridge.

In the end they settled for a point in a game lacking in goalmouth incident.

Mourinho delivered three Premier League titles in two spells at Stamford Bridge under Abramovich and relished the opportunity of spoiling the Chelsea owner's landmark occasion.

However, Spurs failed to score in the top flight for the first time since the opening weekend of the season as both defences dominated.

There were positives for Spurs despite the end of their four-match winning run in the Premier League.

Wales international Rodon slotted in well alongside Eric Dier in the centre of defence.

His mistake almost let in Giroud for a late winner but the 23-year-old did well to stop a Tammy Abraham headed chance in the first half.

Barring Leicester beating Fulham by a six-goal margin on Monday, Spurs will head into December looking down on the rest.

Tottenham 'control' pleases Mourinho

'We didn't give Kane or Son a sniff' - what they said

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard: "It went as I sort of expected. I thought we'd have a lot of possession. We created enough to win the game.

"The clean sheet factor against a side set up to counter-attack - that was excellent. We didn't give Harry Kane or Son Heung-min a sniff."

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho: "The game did not have many chances. It is a game where we both wanted to win. We respect each other.

"Nobody gambled. Nobody tried to change the direction of the game. Everybody was thinking 'one mistake, we get punished'."

Happy travellers - the best of the stats

  • Tottenham have won 13 points away from home in the Premier League this season - their most in their opening five away games of a league campaign since 1991-92.
  • Chelsea and Spurs played out a goalless draw in the Premier League for the first time since November 2015.
  • Tottenham have won just one of their past 35 away games against Chelsea in all competitions (D12 L22), with that lone victory coming in April 2018.
  • Spurs (9) and Chelsea (8) are now the two teams on the longest current unbeaten runs in the Premier League.
  • Tottenham have kept a clean sheet in three consecutive away games in the Premier League for the first time since November 2013.
  • This was the first Premier League game in which neither Harry Kane or Son Heung-min have scored for Spurs since September 27, ending a run of six consecutive league games in which at least one of them had scored.
  • Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season, with this being his fifth in six appearances in the competition.

What's next?

Both clubs are in Europe in midweek. While Chelsea are in Spain to face Sevilla in a Champions League Group E game on Wednesday (20:00 GMT), Tottenham are in Austria on Thursday (17:55 GMT) to take on LASK in Group J of the Europa League.

Player of the match

NdombeleTanguy Ndombele

with an average of 6.21

Chelsea

  1. Squad number24Player nameJames
    Average rating

    6.08

  2. Squad number16Player nameMendy
    Average rating

    6.03

  3. Squad number7Player nameKanté
    Average rating

    5.96

  4. Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
    Average rating

    5.86

  5. Squad number19Player nameMount
    Average rating

    5.80

  6. Squad number21Player nameChilwell
    Average rating

    5.79

  7. Squad number17Player nameKovacic
    Average rating

    5.63

  8. Squad number15Player nameZouma
    Average rating

    5.60

  9. Squad number11Player nameWerner
    Average rating

    5.53

  10. Squad number22Player nameZiyech
    Average rating

    5.46

  11. Squad number18Player nameGiroud
    Average rating

    5.27

  12. Squad number10Player namePulisic
    Average rating

    5.26

  13. Squad number9Player nameAbraham
    Average rating

    4.96

  14. Squad number29Player nameHavertz
    Average rating

    4.95

Tottenham Hotspur

  1. Squad number28Player nameNdombele
    Average rating

    6.21

  2. Squad number1Player nameLloris
    Average rating

    6.19

  3. Squad number14Player nameRodon
    Average rating

    6.15

  4. Squad number5Player nameHøjbjerg
    Average rating

    6.05

  5. Squad number3Player nameReguilón
    Average rating

    5.99

  6. Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-min
    Average rating

    5.95

  7. Squad number24Player nameAurier
    Average rating

    5.82

  8. Squad number17Player nameSissoko
    Average rating

    5.79

  9. Squad number10Player nameKane
    Average rating

    5.70

  10. Squad number15Player nameDier
    Average rating

    5.69

  11. Squad number23Player nameBergwijn
    Average rating

    5.62

  12. Squad number18Player nameLo Celso
    Average rating

    5.39

  13. Squad number27Player nameLucas Moura
    Average rating

    5.36

  14. Squad number33Player nameDavies
    Average rating

    5.21

Line-ups

Chelsea

Formation 4-3-3

  • 16Mendy
  • 24JamesBooked at 53mins
  • 15ZoumaBooked at 55mins
  • 6Thiago Silva
  • 21Chilwell
  • 17Kovacic
  • 7Kanté
  • 19MountBooked at 76mins
  • 22ZiyechBooked at 29minsSubstituted forHavertzat 83'minutes
  • 9AbrahamSubstituted forGiroudat 79'minutes
  • 11WernerSubstituted forPulisicat 74'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Arrizabalaga
  • 2Rüdiger
  • 5Jorginho
  • 10Pulisic
  • 18Giroud
  • 28Azpilicueta
  • 29Havertz

Tottenham

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Lloris
  • 24Aurier
  • 14Rodon
  • 15Dier
  • 3ReguilónBooked at 89mins
  • 17Sissoko
  • 5Højbjerg
  • 7Son Heung-minSubstituted forLucas Mouraat 90+2'minutes
  • 28NdombeleSubstituted forLo Celsoat 65'minutes
  • 23BergwijnBooked at 50minsSubstituted forDaviesat 89'minutes
  • 10Kane

Substitutes

  • 6D Sánchez
  • 9Bale
  • 12Hart
  • 18Lo Celso
  • 27Lucas Moura
  • 33Davies
  • 45Carlos Vinícius
Referee:
Paul Tierney

Match Stats

Home TeamChelseaAway TeamTottenham
Possession
Home60%
Away40%
Shots
Home13
Away5
Shots on Target
Home3
Away1
Corners
Home3
Away3
Fouls
Home20
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Chelsea 0, Tottenham Hotspur 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Chelsea 0, Tottenham Hotspur 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt saved. Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

  4. Substitution

    Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Lucas Moura replaces Son Heung-Min.

  5. Post update

    Thiago Silva (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur).

  7. Post update

    Foul by Kai Havertz (Chelsea).

  8. Post update

    Joe Rodon (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Substitution

    Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Ben Davies replaces Steven Bergwijn.

  10. Booking

    Sergio Reguilón (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  11. Post update

    Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Sergio Reguilón (Tottenham Hotspur).

  13. Post update

    Foul by Olivier Giroud (Chelsea).

  14. Post update

    Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  15. Substitution

    Substitution, Chelsea. Kai Havertz replaces Hakim Ziyech.

  16. Post update

    Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur).

  18. Post update

    Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Hugo Lloris.

  19. Post update

    Attempt saved. Mason Mount (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by N'Golo Kanté.

  20. Post update

    Ben Chilwell (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

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914 comments

  • Comment posted by teez, at 18:32 29 Nov 2020

    Tense game, on balance of play Chelsea probably edged it. Mourinho has reverted to form and played a very good defensive/counter attacking team.

    Today was more about not losing for both teams

    • Reply posted by foxtrot, at 18:39 29 Nov 2020

      foxtrot replied:
      Yes, a good post.

  • Comment posted by it aint the heat its the humility, at 18:45 29 Nov 2020

    Spurs get hammered for being flaky in years gone by. Spurs get ridiculed for scrapping out a game typically would've lost. Stamford Bridge toughest places to go. Tottenham record woeful there in Prem years. This is exactly what Spurs should be doing when the going gets tough. This is progress. Well done Tottenham

    • Reply posted by Denis Wray, at 19:42 29 Nov 2020

      Denis Wray replied:
      Very sensible, two or three world class players and they can compete with the big boys. Until that happens park the bus and try to hit on the counter as against Man City.

  • Comment posted by LD Rob, at 18:38 29 Nov 2020

    Tottenham Hotspurs 1st 😎
    Woolwich Wanderers 14th 🤣🤣🤣!

    • Reply posted by lvred, at 18:44 29 Nov 2020

      lvred replied:
      You realise that there are only just over four weeks to St Totteringham's and your inevitable annual slide ? On the bright side, 2021 is the 60th anniversary of your last league title...... Bless......

  • Comment posted by Huggie, at 18:49 29 Nov 2020

    Spurs set up to counter attack. Chelsea didn't want to come on too much and get hit on break. Tactical stalemate and an unsurprising 0:0 draw.

    However, Ndombele is looking more and more like a class act. Turning this and way and that, spinning the best defensive midfielder in the world multiple times. The game was a lot more dull with him off the pitch

    • Reply posted by church04, at 19:24 29 Nov 2020

      church04 replied:
      Totally agree he looks class just hope against mid table teams he puts lo celso in the middle with him instead of sissoko

  • Comment posted by Username321, at 18:32 29 Nov 2020

    Another clean sheet and top of the league, not the greatest result but will take it.

    • Reply posted by Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd, at 18:44 29 Nov 2020

      Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd replied:
      Felt like each team was an exact mirror image of the other and the result proved it.

  • Comment posted by maxpaynekat, at 18:50 29 Nov 2020

    It wasn't pretty at all but we've done nothing but complain for years at Spurs for being "Weak, soft, flakey etc". We can't then criticize them when they're able to grind out a tough away point and be a bit more cynical and resilient. Next week is huge. This turns from a decent point into an excellent point if we can kick on and beat Arsenal next week which we certainly should do.

    • Reply posted by coolspex, at 18:58 29 Nov 2020

      coolspex replied:
      Excellent post and spot on 👌

  • Comment posted by Schnitzengruben, at 18:28 29 Nov 2020

    I have actually seen some really good 0-0 draws however this wasn't one of them.

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 18:37 29 Nov 2020

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      Liverpool thanks both teams for looking out for them in the league standings.

  • Comment posted by Eddie, at 19:33 29 Nov 2020

    Despite the general tone of these comments. Spurs are top of the league, they are the second highest scorers (one behind Chelsea and Liverpool) and they have conceded the fewest goals. So for the moment the rest of you are going to have to suck it up.

    • Reply posted by D1679376895673, at 20:11 29 Nov 2020

      D1679376895673 replied:
      Well said Eddie. I’d be more worried if the haters weren’t on the spurs hys mouthing off. Shows they are shutting themselves lol

  • Comment posted by Windyspurs, at 18:47 29 Nov 2020

    4pts from Man City and Chelsea, weren’t expecting that

    • Reply posted by Christopher L, at 18:52 29 Nov 2020

      Christopher L replied:
      Spuds Anti Football Fair Play based on today. Good player banter from each team though. Oh, I miss Diego Costa.

  • Comment posted by Martarslipstick, at 18:32 29 Nov 2020

    At least this result has knocked Glory Hunting FC off the top.

  • Comment posted by AFCDale, at 18:32 29 Nov 2020

    Credit to Mourinho once again for stifling a good attacking team but at the same time 2 top teams have somehow managed to be outdone on excitement by a Palace-Newcastle game.

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 18:51 29 Nov 2020

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      You do know that all the excitement in that game came from the 87th minute onwards? Was that same as this match until then.

  • Comment posted by andyw, at 18:30 29 Nov 2020

    Both sides clearly didn't want to lose this one and few clear chances as a result. A draw probably a fair result.

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 18:48 29 Nov 2020

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      In this type of game a draw will always be a fair result, no probably about it.

  • Comment posted by Finkelstein, at 18:29 29 Nov 2020

    Hard fought draw by both teams and no real fizz from either side. Both will settle for the draw and Spurs back on top of the PL.

  • Comment posted by mike28, at 18:31 29 Nov 2020

    Lo Celso should have won that game. No excuse for that miss !!!😡

    • Reply posted by Blockfeet, at 19:19 29 Nov 2020

      Blockfeet replied:
      Agreed a great opportunity. Probably fell to the wrong player. Shoot or pass! He did neither... 😢

  • Comment posted by Meh, at 18:36 29 Nov 2020

    Think currently that was the two best defences in the league playing each other, and the score line reflected it sadly

    • Reply posted by BethnalExpat, at 19:04 29 Nov 2020

      BethnalExpat replied:
      Eight days ago if I would have said to Tottenham fans “ Man City and Chelsea = 4 points and two clean sheets, happy with that “ ? ..... most would have taken it.
      Sound defensive display.

  • Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 18:30 29 Nov 2020

    Keep it up Spurs. I remember when you won the double with three great Scots, McKay, Brown and White, in the team nearly 60 years ago. Would love to see you do it this season

    • Reply posted by Dougie LeRoy, at 18:49 29 Nov 2020

      Dougie LeRoy replied:
      Gilzean was a great Scott as well.

  • Comment posted by kafka12, at 18:59 29 Nov 2020

    Tottenham have the best defensive record this year. Chelsea the second best defence. Spurs are sound and do not gamble . This manager is pragmatic and his players learning to be professional. Levy has brought this manager to do what he is doing . After 10 games they are at the top of the table. Not a bad start.

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 20:48 29 Nov 2020

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      Obviously so. However, Chelsea’s transformation from a leaky outfit to a disciplined unit with the ability to outplay most teams is remarkable. Chelsea don’t park the bus but can defend well now. Our attack has been wasteful despite the GD. So many good crosses and potential assists need a higher return.

  • Comment posted by tezla, at 18:37 29 Nov 2020

    Tammy Abraham is just woeful

    • Reply posted by Theres always this season, at 18:50 29 Nov 2020

      Theres always this season replied:
      We have his brother Timmy

  • Comment posted by D1679531661558, at 18:43 29 Nov 2020

    Mourinho came with one intention, try and mug Chelsea.

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 19:54 29 Nov 2020

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      Then he bumped into Lampard who, he realized, had exactly the same intention. So they both agreed that their teams would just kick the ball around for 90 minutes and then go home.

  • Comment posted by TD, at 18:27 29 Nov 2020

    Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    • Reply posted by sandwichlover, at 18:40 29 Nov 2020

      sandwichlover replied:
      There's not ONE player there who can take on two players and dribble around two players! There's hardly even one exciting player to watch nowadays all across the world who can do magic with the ball! Boring times we live in!

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Tottenham106312191221
2Liverpool106312217521
3Chelsea1054122101219
4Leicester96031812618
5Southampton105231916317
6Wolves105231111017
7Everton105141917216
8Man Utd95131616016
9Aston Villa85031911815
10Man City94321511415
11West Ham94231510514
12Leeds104241517-214
13Newcastle104241215-314
14Arsenal104151012-213
15Crystal Palace104151215-313
16Brighton102441416-210
17West Brom10136718-116
18Burnley9126417-135
19Fulham9117918-94
20Sheff Utd10019416-121
View full Premier League table

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