Under no pressure, Junior fumbled Lucas Bergvall’s cross into his own net to hand Spurs the dream start in front of their own fans.

This is the first time ex-Brentford boss Frank has managed in this competition but his Tottenham side lived dangerously at times before the break, with only a crucial intervention by Micky van de Ven preventing ex-Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe from curling in, while Tajon Buchanan dragged a shot wide when he looked certain to score.

But only a good save by Junior denied Tottenham adding a second midway through the first half when he kept out Pape Matar Sarr’s strike.

Villarreal came on strong in the second half but Tottenham defended superbly to repel them.

Richarlison should have done better with a header as Spurs tried to get the security of a second goal, but ultimately it was not needed.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey came on for Villarreal in the closing stages, despite being due to appear in court on rape and sexual assault charges in London on Wednesday.

Ghana midfielder Partey, 32, was charged last month with five counts of rape against two women and a charge of sexual assault against a third woman.

It was the first match he has played in England since the allegations first came to light.

Spurs took the lead five minutes before the break through Pierre-Emile Hojberg, who fired a low drive home after a one-two with Richarlison and the game seemed beyond doubt 15 minutes from time when Harry Kane nudged home Ryan Sessegnon’s centre from close range.

Moments after Richarlison struck the post – the second time the home side had hit the woodwork after Son Heung-Min’s first-half effort – the ball was in the other net as Fulham’s number nine turned inside Cristian Romero before curling an unstoppable effort into the far top corner for his sixth goal of the campaign.

In the frantic closing stages, Hugo Lloris produced a fine save to stop a deflected Mitrovic strike sneaking into the top corner and then Richarlison had what would have been a deserved goal struck out for offside, but the home side hung on.

Tottenham are now just a point behind London rivals Arsenal at the top of the table while Fulham lay tenth.

The incident is alleged to have happened when the South Korean international went to take a corner in the second half of Sunday’s 2-2 draw in the Premier League.

In a statement earlier this week, the west London club said discriminatory behaviour was “totally abhorrent”.

It added at the time: “Chelsea FC has consistently made its zero tolerance position on discriminatory behaviour very clear, yet there are still idiots like this that attach themselves to this club as so called ‘fans’, which shames Chelsea FC, our coaches, players, staff and our true supporters.

“It has no place at Chelsea or in any of our communities.”

Chelsea’s long-running ‘No To Hate’ campaign launched its latest initiative on Sunday, which gives instructions on the back of every seat on how supporters can report alleged abuses either by text or by barcode on a smartphone.

They believe that identifying a specific seat from which incidents either happen or are reported will help increase the chances of individuals being caught.

The club have previously banned fans for life following racist incidents.

DStv and GOtv are the only true home of football in Africa, offering a range and depth of action that no other rival can match – it’s literally ‘Unbeatable Football’! If you’re going to spend your money on something, it may as well be on the best football in the world.

Both the Blues and Spurs are hoping to step up their games and challenge Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the log, making this clash a real six-pointer and a chance to send a statement early in the campaign.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel will be hoping that new signings Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly can make a major impact in this clash against Tottenham.

“[Sterling] had chances, very heavily involved in other chances, it was a good performance,” the German said of the player signed for £47.5m from Man City. On Koulibaly, Tuchel added: “He is a very, very good signing. A strong personality, a strong player. I am happy that he could play minutes now. He’s getting fitter and fitter which is very important for us for the start of the season.”

Tottenham’s Antonio Conte, meanwhile, says he will be happy to extend his time with the London club if they continue on their path of building towards success: “I have to be honest. In my career the contract was never important. I didn’t need to sign contracts for one, two or three years. For the club it could also be a weight,” he explained.

“I’m happy, I’m happy. We’re working really well together. It’s not that one year on the contract more or less can change the situation. For sure we want to continue to improve, to build something important for this club. If the idea continues to be in this way, there will be zero problems to continue my life in Tottenham because I stay well and I like this group of players.”

• Key players

Raheem Sterling – The English forward was a big-money signing from Manchester City and is looking to endear himself to Chelsea fans – there would be no better way to do exactly that than to score in a win over their hated rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Harry Kane – Tottenham’s captain and key player will be hoping that this season brings success in terms of challenging for silverware. If Spurs can claim Chelsea’s scalp away from home, it will send a major statement of intent.

• Head-to-head stats

In head-to-head stats, Chelsea and Tottenham have met in 173 matches across all competitions since 1909. The Blues have claimed 77 wins compared to 55 for Spurs, while 41 games have been drawn.

Chelsea won all four matches against Spurs last season, winning 3-0 away and 2-0 at home in the Premier League, as well as 2-0 at home and 1-0 away in the two legs of the Carabao Cup semifinal.

• Battles to watch

Thomas Tuchel v Antonio Conte – Tuchel’s more reserved and considered demeanour contrasts sharply with Conte’s voracious sideline antics, but the two managers have similar tactical approaches.

Kalidou Koulibaly v Son Heung-min – Koulibaly has long been considered one of European football’s best defenders, but he will have to be at his best to quell the threat of Spurs’ mobile and intelligent Son.

N’Golo Kante v Yves Bissouma – Kante is the king of central midfielders, but Bissouma is a potential successor to that throne and could end up being one of the best signings of the season if he can settle quickly at Tottenham.

No rival can compete with SuperSport’s coverage. Our viewers on DStv and GOtv enjoy an unrivalled selection of football from around the world!

Don’t miss the best football action on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Visit www.dstv.com and www.gotvafrica.com to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream matches on the DStv App.

Premier League broadcast details, 14 August 2022

• All times CAT

Sunday 14 August

• 17:30: Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

If you’re looking to place winning bets on the Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspurs match, read on for expert predictions and football betting tips from BetKing.

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspurs Preview & Head-to-Head

The two teams enjoy a long history together. The last five years have seen a total of 15 clashes between them. Of these games, the Blues won 9 times while the Spurs enjoyed 4 wins. Two matches ended in draws.

Looking back over last season’s performance, Chelsea F.C managed to win both matches against Tottenham, winning 2-0 at home and 3-0 away.

As far as the current season if concerned, both teams have had good results in their opening matches. Chelsea was able to beat Everton thanks to Jorginho’s penalty while Tottenham Hotspur took down Southampton with a 4-1 win.

Here’s a look at their current form across all competitions:

Chelsea form guide: W-W-L-L-W-W-D

Tottenham Hotspur form guide: W-L-W-D-W-W-W

Key Match Stats:

• Chelsea is on a 5-match no-draw streak
• The Spurs have conceded a goal in all their last 5 games
• Chelsea score 75% of their goals between the 76^th and 90^th minutes or during the 30–45-minute mark.
• Tottenham score 72% of their goals in the 2^nd half. 
• Chelsea’s highest scorer in the last 5 matches has been Mason Mount
• The Blues score an average of 2 goals while the Spurs score 1.1 goals on average in their encounters

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspurs Betting Tips

All told, BetKing’s experts go with a comfortable Chelsea win on this one:

Tip 1: Chelsea to win

Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals

Ready to start your winning journey? Head to BetKing and place your bets today.

Chelsea’s meeting with Spurs is a repeat of the 2015 final when the Blues won 2-0 at Wembley.

Both semi-finals are scheduled to take place over two legs – with the first of each played in the week commencing 3 January 2022.

The deciding legs will take place in the week commencing 10 January, with the final at Wembley on 27 February.

The semi-final draw:

• Arsenal v Liverpool 
• Chelsea  v Tottenham

The Gunners propped up the table after three games while Spurs were top under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo – how things have changed as a rampant Arsenal ripped their shambolic rivals to shreds in a brilliant first half.

Emile Smith Rowe started the celebrations for the Arsenal fans when he arrived unmarked to sweep home Bukayo Saka’s cross after 12 minutes before the scorer turned provider as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got the second midway through the half.

Spurs were producing a horror show and nothing summed it up better than Arsenal’s third after 34 minutes. Harry Kane fell over the ball in a Spurs attack then missed two tackles on Saka as he raced back into his own penalty area to try to rescue the situation. Saka compounded the agony with a calm finish.

Inevitably, Spurs improved after the break, Kane bringing a good save from Aaron Ramsdale and wasting a good chance, before Son Heung-min pulled one back.

Ramsdale spared Arsenal any late anxiety with another superb stop, touching Lucas Moura’s shot on to the bar as Mikel Arteta’s side closed out a richly deserved win.

The England captain has been the subject of transfer interest from Pep Guardiola’s Citizens throughout the summer and was conspicuous by his absence in a hard-fought encounter.

Kane only returned to training on Friday and the official line was that he wasn’t even fit enough to feature on the bench.

It initially looked like the Lilywhites would rue his exclusion as they struggled to make the most of some excellent first-half counter-attacks until Son conjured up a moment of magic when he cut inside to rifle home on the break on 55 minutes.

The visitors had dominated for much of the opening period and made a fast-paced start with Jack Grealish looking dynamic and dangerous early on in his Premier League bow for City.

Fernandinho and Riyad Mahrez both went close for the champions while at the other end Lucas Moura had a shot blocked on the line.

However, City lacked urgency following the interval and showed just why they are in the market for a striker as they struggled to test Hugo Lloris.

Spurs were always a threat on the counter and could have won more handsomely but Steven Bergwijn fizzed a glorious chance into the side netting.

Man City will now aim to bounce back at home to Premier League newcomers Norwich next Saturday.

Spurs have a Europa Conference League qualifying playoff at Pacos de Ferreira on Thursday before Nuno visits his old club Wolves on Sunday.

Spurs have been linked with numerous replacements since sacking Jose Mourinho in April, including Antonio Conte, Gennaro Gattuso, Paulo Fonseca and former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

But they have finally settled on Nuno, who spent four years with Wolves, leading them from the Championship into the Premier League and then securing back-to-back seventh-place finishes.

Nuno told the club website: “When you have a squad with quality and talent, we want to make the fans proud and enjoy.

“It’s an enormous pleasure and honour (to be here), there’s joy and I’m happy and looking forward to starting work. We don’t have any days to lose and we must start working immediately as pre-season starts in a few days.”

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy added: “First of all, I’d like to welcome Nuno to the club. We should like to thank our supporters for all their patience throughout this process.

“I’ve spoken already about the need to revert back to our core DNA of playing attacking, entertaining football and Fabio [Paratici, director of football] and I believe Nuno is the man who can take our talented group of players, embrace our young players coming through and build something special.”

The announcement comes on the same day that Everton appointed Rafa Benitez as their new manager.

Manchester City were the first club to formally pull out after Chelsea had signalled their intent to do so by preparing documentation to withdraw.

The other four sides – Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham – have all now followed suit

The 12-team Super League was announced on Sunday to widespread condemnation.

Manchester City confirmed they have “formally enacted the procedures to withdraw” from the Super League.

Liverpool said their involvement in the proposed breakaway league “has been discontinued”.

Manchester United said they had “listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders” in making their decision to not take part.

Arsenal apologised and said they had “made a mistake”, adding they were withdrawing after listening to their fans and the “wider football community”.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said the club regretted the “anxiety and upset” caused by the proposal.

English football’s ‘big six’ were part of a group, also containing Spain’s Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid and Italy’s AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, that announced plans to form the breakaway league, which they hoped to establish as a new midweek competition.

It was condemned by fans, football authorities and government ministers in the UK and across Europe by Uefa and league associations.

Around 1,000 fans gathered outside Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground before their game against Brighton on Tuesday to protest at their club’s involvement.

Eyebrows will be raised about the timing of the decision, with Spurs playing Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final in just six days time.

It’s almost certainly no coincidence though, that the news broke on the morning after it was confirmed the club would be taking part in the new breakaway European Super League. 

Charged with elevating the north Londoners to the next level following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure in 2019, Mourinho failed to qualify for the Champions League in his first season in charge and looked set to miss out on the top four yet again. Spurs are currently seventh. 

It represents the first time in the Portuguese’s once illustrious career that he leaves a club without having won any silverware. 

Spurs crashed out of the Europa League after losing a two-goal advantage and being thrashed 3-0 by Dinamo Zagreb – days after their manager had been sentenced to prison. 

Yet Mourinho found himself in the jailhouse among Spurs fans throughout his reign. His Chelsea history didn’t help, but it was the style of football that was simply incongruous with a club who pride themselves on Danny Blanchflower’s famous excerpt: “The game is about glory.”

Ryan Mason will now take charge of first-team training and is expected to step into a caretaker role until a permanent appointment is made. 

READ ALSO

• They removed my dress, saying I had ‘juju’: Coach recounts assault suffered at Berekum

Tottenham sacks Jose Mourinho [Just in]

In a statement, Daniel Levy said:

“Jose and his coaching staff have been with us through some of our most challenging times as a Club. Jose is a true professional who showed enormous resilience during the pandemic.

“On a personal level I have enjoyed working with him and regret that things have not worked out as we both had envisaged. He will always be welcome here and we should like to thank him and his coaching staff for their contribution.”

Still, look on the bright side Jose – there’s a big payday coming your way. 

Mourinho’s contract was worth £15m a year and contained no break clause – and he still had a year and a half remaining on his three-year deal. 

According to the Independent’s Miguel Delaney, it all means he’s in line for a pay-off of at least £15m. Sound familiar? 

The 58-year-old received £18m from Roman Abramovich when he left Chelsea in 2007 and £17m from Real Madrid five years later. Inter Milan, of course, he left of his own accord.

Chelsea then paid him another £12.5m in 2015 – when they were teetering above the relegation zone – and he raked in a further £15m from Manchester United in 2018. 

In total, that means at least £82.5m in Mourinho’s bank account all from being sacked. A specialist in failure? 

A lacklustre first period burst into life in dramatic fashion on 34 minutes when Edinson Cavani tucked home Paul Pogba’s pass. However, a VAR review resulted in the referee harshly ruling out the strike for a foul on Son Heung-min by Scott McTominay in the build-up.

Son then duly rubbed salt in the visitors’ wounds just minutes later when he capped his first start since recovering from a hamstring injury by firing home Lucas Moura’s unselfish pass.

United responded in the right manner and deservedly levelled on 57 minutes when Fred smashed in the rebound after Hugo Lloris had made a fine save to deny Cavani.

The visitors continued to look the better side and it was probably quite fitting that Cavani was the man to turn it around with a superb diving header 11 minutes from time before substitute Mason Greenwood made sure of the points in injury time.

The result sees Spurs stay seventh, but they are now six points adrift of fourth-placed West Ham.

United, who are seven points ahead of third-placed Leicester, extend their unbeaten away run in the league to 23 matches and cut the gap to leaders Manchester City to 11 points with a game in hand.

The Red Devils will now switch their attention to the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final at home to Granada on Thursday night. Spurs visit Everton in the Premier League on Friday.

Orsic and Dinamo were superb throughout, with the 28-year-old’s decisive third goal the pick of his three, brilliantly finished past Hugo Lloris after a stunning solo run.

The result leaves Spurs scrambling to rescue their season, with Jose Mourinho’s side eighth in the Premier League and facing the prospect of a hugely underwhelming first full campaign under the Portuguese manager.

Spurs took a 2-0 lead to Croatia from the first leg, but struggled to hit their straps despite naming a relatively strong side on their visit to the Stadium Maksimir. And it was Dinamo who had the pick of the chances in a lacklustre first half, with Lovro Majer sliding a shot narrowly wide and the same player almost opening up Spurs a minute later, only to be denied by a brilliant defensive intervention from Davinson Sanchez.

And Dinamo continued to look the better side after the break, creating further half-chances before Mislav Orsic opened the scoring on 62 minutes with a stunning strike into the top corner.

The hosts continued to threaten, despite Spurs strengthening off the bench with the additions of Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele. And it was Orsic again who drew the tie level on aggregate with a clinical finish when unmarked in the box.

Spurs pushed hard to try and rescue the game in extra-time, but it was Dinamo who won it just as thoughts were beginning to drift towards a penalty shootout, with Orsic’s stunning third proving the winner.

Dinamo won’t have to wait long to discover their quarter-final opponents, with the draw for the last-eight set to be held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon tomorrow lunchtime.

After a frantic first minute which saw Zagreb’s Mislav Orsic tamely strike his one-on-one effort straight at Hugo Lloris, Spurs took control of the first half early on.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. Erik Lamela drove into the box and saw his clever shot off the outside of his right boot bounce off the woodwork into the path of Kane to tap in his 25th goal of the season.

Bruno Petković had a curled side-footed effort comfortably saved by Lloris six minutes later, but Spurs went into the break relatively untroubled as Heung-Min Son and Serge Aurier continued to cause the Croatian champions problems down the flanks.

The second half saw Spurs dominate possession and they eventually got their second through Kane on just his fourth European start this season.

Aurier’s first-time cross on the volley was miskicked by former Cardiff City defender Kevin Theophile-Catherine into the feet of the England striker, who buried his eighth European goal of the season.

Substitute Gareth Bale poked wide in injury-time, but it finished as a straightforward night for Spurs, who take their comfortable lead into the second leg on March 18.

Spurs made a dream start as Bale netted inside 70 seconds, latching on to the end of Son Heung-Min’s teasing cross to stun the usually resilient Clarets.

And the hosts looked dangerous every time they went forward and doubled their lead 15 minutes later as Bale added an assist to his goal with a pinged cross-field pass to Harry Kane who smashed past a helpless Nick Pope.

A third goal looked inevitable as Spurs ran riot and Lucas Moura scored it after finding the ball at his feet following Sergio Reguilon’s cross, rifling past Pope from close range.

Burnley looked a better side in the second half but the hosts landed a killer blow just as the Clarets were finding their rhythm.

Son again turned provider as he found Bale in acres of space out right, before the Welshman cut inside and curled a wonderful effort into the corner for his second goal of the game.

Burnley were limited to series of long-range efforts as Matej Vydra did his best to get the visitors on the scoresheet.

But Tottenham kept their opponents out to add gloss to a brilliant attacking performance that sees them leapfrog Arsenal into eighth in the table.

Chelsea dominated the early stages but were gifted the goal that proved to be the winner from the penalty spot after a needless Eric Dier foul on Timo Werner, with Jorginho dispatching the spot-kick in the 24th minute.

Tottenham offered next to nothing in attack, with Chelsea, not all that incisive themselves given how much space they were afforded, going the entire match without having been troubled at the back, at all.

The visitors saw out a second win from three under Thomas Tuchel, while the pressure mounts on Mourinho, as Spurs stay seventh, 14 points off top, after the meekest of displays.

READ ALSO

• Black Stars player recounts how Muntari supported him after he was axed from 2014 WC squad

• Liverpool lose at home again as Brighton stun Premier League champions

With Harry Kane again missing through injury, Mourinho opted to drop Gareth Bale, as Carlos Vinicius was preferred in attack. The Brazilian was a bystander, starved of any service at all in the first half as Chelsea, in second gear, were much the better side.

The tackle from Dier on Werner was foolish in the extreme, kicking out when he had fallen to the ground, sending Werner tumbling. There was no hop, skip nor jump from Jorginho, as he stroked the ball home in style, scoring his fourth league goal of the season.

Little changed after the break, with Spurs offering absolutely no threat in attack. The one chance they did create, Vinicius headed agonisingly wide.

Any equaliser would have been unjust, however, with Mourinho’s side by far second best against his former club. Chelsea go sixth, and will not have an easier evening all season.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds had seen their title challenge seemingly wilt following a five-game winless run in the league, but they started to find their feet again on the stroke of half time when the Brazilian snared his sixth of the campaign to end the Merseysiders’ 482-minute barren run.

Spurs had seen an early goal from Heung-Min Son ruled out by VAR and their hopes were further hit when the injured Harry Kane was withdrawn at the break.

A lively start to the second period saw Trent Alexander Arnold rifle in a rebound to double the away side’s lead before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg reduced the arrears moments later with a 25-yard thunderbolt.

Mo Salah then had a goal harshly ruled out by VAR before Sadio Mane ghosted in to convert a cross from Alexander Arnold to deservedly seal the points for the visitors.

The victory moves Liverpool up to fourth place, four points off leaders Manchester City having played a game more. Tottenham, who suffered a first loss in nine matches, stay sixth.

Liverpool will hope to build on the win when they visit fifth-placed West Ham on Sunday, while Spurs are at struggling Brighton.

The Blades gave themselves a mountain to climb by conceding from a simple corner after just five minutes into the contest, with Serge Aurier climbing above Jayden Bogle to head in from Son Heung-min’s corner delivery.

Son timed his run to latch onto Kane’s through-ball moments later but was denied by the outside of the post.

Tottenham were excellent in the first half and looked to be out of sight by the interval. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg won the ball in midfield and fed Kane, who wrapped his foot around the ball and beat Aaron Ramsdale with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Sheffield United were second-best by some distance but David McGoldrick’s glancing header from John Fleck’s cross gave them a way back into the game after the restart.

Their hopes were killed off by a fantastic goal from Ndombele just 172 seconds later, though, as he beautifully hooked the ball over Ramsdale with a delicate lob into the far corner from a tight angle.

Tottenham climb into fourth and close the gap on leaders Manchester United to just three points, while Sheffield United remain bottom, 11 points from safety.

The Whites made the brighter start and almost took the lead within ten minutes as both Alioski and Bamford went close after two typically rapid attacks from the visitors.

But Spurs landed the suckerpunch when Ezgjan Alioski took down Steven Bergwijn just inside the box, with Kane smashing down the middle to put the hosts ahead.

And Jose Mourinho’s men doubled their lead just before half-time as the deadly duo of Son and Kane linked up again, the England striker laying on a beautiful cross for the South Korean to stroke home.

READ ALSO

• Agyemang Badu announces retirement from national team

• Agyemang Badu shares biggest Black Stars regret

Son turned provider just after the break as his corner was met by Toby Alderweireld whose header just edged over the line despite Illan Meslier’s best efforts.

Kane, Bergwijn and Son each went close again only to be denied by some fantastic saves by Meslier, while Leeds tired struggled to break down an organised Spurs defence who looked determined to shut their opponents out.

Spurs finished the match with ten men as Matt Doherty was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow.

But Mourinho will surely be pleased with a performance that secured a clean sheet, a three-goal win and third place in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho’s men led for 85 minutes after Tanguy Ndombele had driven home a low 20-yard shot from Ben Davies’ lay-off after just 57 seconds.

But, just as it appeared their dominance would earn no reward in the continued absence of Jimenez – attending a game for the first time since fracturing his skull at Arsenal at the end of November – Wolves struck an equaliser.

Morocco defender Saiss met Pedro Neto’s corner at the near post with a superb glancing header to steer the ball past Hugo Lloris.

It was the least Wolves deserved after their efforts at shackling Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

READ ALSO

• PL: Arsenal beat Chelsea to ease pressure on Arteta

• PL: Vardy scores late as Leicester City end Man Utd’s away streak with thrilling draw

Spurs’ star duo rarely got a clean sight of goal and, although Sergio Reguilon might have made the game safe for Tottenham, they paid the price for retreating too far into their shell.

After the game, Mourinho said it was never his intention to defend the slender lead and instead questioned his players for not showing more ambition to go for more goals.

He told BBC Sport: “Defending deep, that’s not the intention. They know what I asked them at half-time, if they couldn’t do better it’s because they couldn’t do better.”

Mourinho added: “We are frustrated with the result. We had control of the game, but we had 89 minutes to score more goals and we didn’t.

“It was not just about not scoring goals, it was also about not being dangerous and not being ambitious. For me, that’s the problem.”

Tottenham, who would have gone third with the win, move to fifth, splitting the two Manchester clubs, who both have a match in hand.

Wolves are 11th and might have won it in the final minute of injury-time when Fabio Silva headed straight at Lloris.

Bale’s goal, only his second since returning to Spurs in the summer, was a clever flicked header from a Harry Winks cross, and put Spurs in control after a largely lacklustre first half.

However, Stoke – who had offered little in the way of goal threat for the opening 50 minutes – gave themselves a chance for an upset when Jordan Thompson drifted off the back of Matt Doherty and smashed home his first goal for the club from close range.

READ ALSO

• Caf Champions League: Asante Kotoko stunned by Hilal

• Messi breaks Pele scoring record as Barcelona win

The game opened up as Spurs lost a bit of shape, giving the hosts hope of securing a cup upset. But a rocket of a shot from distance by Davies restored Tottenham’s advantage, before Kane made the game safe with a classy finish as Stoke pushed numbers forward chasing an equaliser.

Jose Mourinho’s side join Brentford and Manchester City in the final four, with one of Everton and Manchester United to make up the semi-final line-up.

The Foxes frontman converted his 11th league goal of the season on the stroke of half time after Serge Aurier was penalised following a VAR review of his avoidable challenge on Wesley Fofana.

Tottenham had offered very little as an attacking force in what was a turgid affair up until Vardy’s penalty and they were fortunate not to lose by more in the end.

READ ALSO

• PL: Pressure mounts on Arteta as Everton sink Arsenal

• Messi equals Pele’s record with 643rd club goal

James Maddison had a fine strike ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside decision before Toby Alderweireld inadvertently diverted Vardy’s header into his own net just shy of the hour.

The result sees the Foxes move to within four points of leaders Liverpool. Tottenham are now two points further back and drop to fourth, albeit they could slip further down the standings if Manchester United beat Leeds.

Jose Mourinho’s men will now turn their focus to Wednesday’s League Cup quarter-final at Stoke City. Leicester are next in action on Boxing Day at home to Manchester United.

Spurs’ clinical counter-attacking display over their fierce rivals sees Jose Mourinho’s side go two points clear at the top of the table – at least until Liverpool’s match with Wolves in Sunday’s evening game. Arsenal, meanwhile, extend their winless league run to four matches as the pressure continues to mount on manager Mikel Arteta.

It was a classic Mourinho performance from the first whistle as Spurs sat deep and waited to hit the Gunners on the counter. The gameplan was perfectly encapsulated in the 13th minute when Kane picked out Son on his left before the South Korea international cut in and sensationally curled his shot past a helpless Bernd Leno from 30-yards out.

READ ALSO

• PL: Pogba scorcher sparks Manchester United comeback at West Ham

• Andre scores and assists in Swansea City win

Arsenal responded by pushing Tottenham deeper into their own half but, regardless, the hosts extended their lead just before the break. Giovani Lo Celso kickstarted a four vs two situations before Son instinctively laid the ball off to Kane on his blind side and emphatically smashed his 11th north London derby goal – more than any other player – into the roof of the net.

Arsenal came out brightly in the second half but their efforts proved futile. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang nodded a free header over the bar and Alexandre Lacazette forced a good save from Hugo Lloris with a header of his own in the 67th minute, but Tottenham held on to a clean sheet against their old rivals and sit pretty at the top of the table.

Timo Werner had a goal rightly chalked off for offside early on while Serge Aurier’s pile-driver was beaten away by Edouard Mendy in a tight first period of few chances.

Joe Rodon made his full debut at the heart of the visitors’ defence and despite some shaky moments he showed signs of promise as Jose Mourinho’s men kept a dominant Chelsea at bay in the second period.

Mason Mount forced a fine save out of Hugo Lloris while substitute Olivier Giroud will rue failing to convert a last-gasp chance as a much-hyped derby between two sides hoping to demonstrate their title credentials fizzled out into a stalemate.

READ ALSO

• PL: Stoppage time Pascal Gross penalty denies Liverpool all three points

• PL: Riyad Mahrez nets hat-trick as Manchester City cruise past Burnley

The result sees Tottenham move to the summit, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference. Chelsea are two points further back in third.

Chelsea will now visit Sevilla in the Champions League in midweek before hosting Leeds on Saturday. Tottenham are in Europa League action at LASK prior to the small matter of the North London derby at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

In the usual battle of wits between Jose Mourinho and his old adversary Pep Guardiola, the Spurs manager came out on top as his team’s season gathered further momentum.

Son Heung-min put Spurs in front after five minutes, finishing coolly from Tanguy Ndombele’s pass before Manchester City had a first-half goal ruled out by VAR for a handball by Gabriel Jesus after Aymeric Laporte’s finish.

READ ALSO

• Swansea boss Steve Cooper allays Andre Ayew injury fears

• PL: Chelsea go top with comfortable win at Newcastle

City continued to enjoy greater possession but Spurs, as you would expect from a Mourinho side, were fiercely drilled and resilient, taking their chance when it came to double their advantage and finish the game.

It came in the 65th minute after a dream substitution from Mourinho, Giovani lo Celso beating Ederson with a low finish from another Kane pass 35 seconds after coming on for Steven Bergwijn – the only cloud for Spurs coming with a late injury to Toby Alderweireld after an outstanding performance.

Both managers rung the changes from the weekend’s Premier League games, but Timo Werner kept his place in the Blues line-up and struck his first goal in English football after a mistake from Tottenham debutant Sergio Reguilon.

With a Europa League play-off to contest on Thursday, Tottenham’s only survivors from the 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Sunday were Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier, with Dele Alli omitted from the squad once more.

Edouard Mendy replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga for his Chelsea debut but had nothing to do in the first half, with the exception of a comfortable save with his feet to deny Erik Lamela’s straight forward shot.

READ ALSO

• Confirmed: Akonnor, Duncan accept pay cut

• Govt constructing state-of-the-art multi-purpose stadium at New Edubiase – Asiamah

After the restart, Chelsea’s new shot-stopper denied Reguilon, who had a chance to make amends following a good move by Serge Aurier but side-footed it straight at goal. There was a nervy moment for the £22m signing soon after as he came for a corner delivery but flapped at it.

Spurs brought Harry Kane off the bench with 20 minutes remaining, but it was Lamela who struck the equaliser late on, with Reguilon’s cross providing the assist.

With extra-time scrapped the tie went to penalties. The first nine spot-kicks were exemplary before Chelsea’s fifth taker, Mason Mount saw his hit the post and go wide.

Bale, who left Spurs for Real seven years ago, completed his medical in Madrid on Thursday, arriving in London by private jet on Friday to finalise the move which will see Spurs reportedly pay half of Bale’s £600,000-a-week wage.

Despite winning four Champions League titles, Bale’s time in the Spanish capital has soured, and has been getting worse for some time.

READ ALSO

• Patoranking pleads with Partey to join Arsenal

• Thiago Alcantara completes Liverpool move from Bayern Munich

Manchester United reportedly considered making a move for him as a back-up option to Jadon Sancho, but they did not make an offer, even though they have tried to sign him on numerous occasions since he was at Southampton 13 years ago.

Hart successfully underwent a medical on Monday and will compete with Paulo Gazzaniga for Hugo Lloris’ No 1 spot in Jose Mourinho’s squad next season.

The 33-year-old became a free agent after his contract came to an end at Burnley at the end of last season, in a campaign where he made just three appearances in all competitions for the Clarets in 2019/20.

READ ALSO

• Arsenal confirm the signing of Chelsea playmaker

• Lomotey joins joins French Ligue 2 side Amiens SC

He started one match in the Carabao Cup and two in the FA Cup, spending the season as the second choice goalkeeper at Turf Moor behind Nick Pope.

Hart becomes Tottenham’s second signing of the summer transfer window, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg having arrived from Southampton for an undisclosed fee.

Hart won the Premier League title twice, the League Cup twice and one FA Cup during his time at Manchester City, but has struggled for form and regular first-team action in recent campaigns.