Chelsea Remains top of the EPL with dominant victory over Tottenham

Juan Mata of Chelsea (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

In a match that was shrouded with off the pitch story lines, Chelsea went into Tottenham’s home ground of White Hart Lane and let their actions on the field do all the talking in the early morning match in London on Oct. 20, 2012.
From Andre Villas-Boas having his first crack at his old club to questions surrounding the form of star Blues striker Fernando Torres and the discussion over whether or not suspended John Terry would keep his hold on the Chelsea captaincy, the focus seemed everywhere but on the match.
Chelsea brought everyone back to earth as defender Gary Cahill, standing in for the suspended club captain, put the European champions in the lead at the 17^th minute. It looked as though it was going to be a long day for Andre Villas-Boas as his replacement, Roberto Di Matteo, took a single goal lead into the locker room at the half way mark.

However, AVB proved he nor his Tottenham side would go quietly as they surged back into the match thanks to an equalizing goal by former Blue’s defender, William Gallas in the opening minute.
Within another seven minutes Jermaine Defoe put the home side up 2-1 by scoring his 200^th career goal in what looked an epic comeback by the North London club.
But it would all be reversed thanks to Juan Mata. The Spanish forward has in many ways been forgotten about due to the big money signings of Oscar and Eden Hazard this season. However, an inspired performance would see him score two goals within three minutes of one another to put the Blues back on top 3-2 by the 70^th minute.
Mata would turn provider in the 91^st minute when he sent a cross to Daniel Sturridge, a largely forgotten man at Chelsea as well this season, as he put the finishing touches on a major statement win for the title hopeful Blues.
The club proved that they were indeed truly title contenders, and to prove so many doubters wrong that have called their European Championship last season a fluke, and for all those that believed that they could not truly battle to the top without Didier Drogba leading the line.
Despite not scoring Fernando Torres had a great game proving his ability to create space and pick out passes with an ability that only a Spaniard could do in the modern game. His confidence seems to be growing week after week and he is certain to be a major part of this season’s potentially title winning campaign.
The club now will return to European action this week to face another powerhouse owned by a Russian energy giant, Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.
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