Article body analysed
By JACK HEATH Published: 02: 17 AEDT, 4 April 2025 | Updated: 02: 17 AEDT, 4 April 2025 3 View comments Tottenham take on Chelsea in the last match of the Premier League game week on Thursday night at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea sit in sixth chasing Champions League football whilst visitors Spurs languish in 14th after a bad second season under Ange Postecoglou. The international break has been kind to Chelsea with the likes of Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Nicholas Jackson back in contention to start, according to Enzo Maresca. For Spurs, only Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski and recent Ballers League feature commentator Kevin Danso are set to miss out as the Lilywhites have seemingly shrugged off most of their fitness woes. Ange Postecoglou's job is still on the line after poor performances in the league with the Australian hoping for glory in the Europa League. Former Chelsea and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino's comments on a return to Tottenham will have only put more pressure on the Australian who may be sacked in the summer if results don't improve. Chelsea entertain Tottenham in the Premier League on Thursday evening at Stamford Bridge The Blues beat Spurs 4-3 in the previous encounter in December after a pulsating 90 minutes Ange Postecoglou is under pressure after a dismal season for his side who are in 14th place This London derby is steeped in history and drama, producing some of the most exciting and intense moments the Premier League has ever seen. Prior to the game under the lights at Stamford Bridge, it's worth going down memory lane to see some of the craziest games and incidents between the two sides. From off the pitch brawls to peculiar tactics, this famous all-London affair has had some memorable moments throughout the years. Now England manager Thomas Tuchel and current Napoli boss Antonio Conte were locked in an infamous moment during a hotly contested London derby in August 2022. Tuchel's Chelsea went ahead first through Kalidou Koulibaly before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg equalised just after the hour mark. Things began to get heated when Conte and Tuchel were booked following a disagreement over Rodrigo Bentancur's tackle on Kai Havertz before the equaliser which didn't result in a free kick. Then, when Reece James put the ball in the back of the net, the German set off down the touchline running past Conte in celebration, infuriating the Italian. Harry Kane's 96th minute equaliser added to the drama before the match culminated in a gripping handshake. The clash was provoked by Tuchel and captured Conte's open-mouthed reaction, as the German appeared to hold onto his rival's hand for a second too long. The two coaches went head-to-head, sparking a mass brawl among both sets of players before referee Anthony Taylor handed out a red card to both of them. Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte had an infamous handshake after a 2-2 draw back in 2022 The pair went head-to-head before sparking a mass brawl and they were both sent off Tuchel had earlier run up the touchline past Conte after Chelsea went 2-1 up during the game Monday night football served up a treat as Spurs and Chelsea engaged in a bizarre encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in November 2023 that left both sets of fans perplexed over proceedings. The Lilywhites raced into an early lead after Dejan Kulusevski's effort found the back of the net, but it all went downhill from there. There were numerous goals ruled out by VAR but when Raheem Sterling's goal was disallowed, replays showed Cristian Romero's reckless and stupid penalty-area tackle on Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea were awarded with a penalty that was converted by ice cold Cole Palmer with Spurs down to 10 men following Romero's dismissal. A flurry of injuries to James Maddison and Micky van de Ven saw Spurs without their first choice back centre back pairing and caution should have been urged for Spurs who were holding on for dear life. In the second half, Tottenham then went down to nine men when Destiny Udogie's second yellow card. Yet, in bold fashion, Postecoglou opted for his nine men of Spurs to hold a ludicrously high line on the halfway line. Inevitably, Chelsea began to break the high line with runs from their own half, culminating in a first Nicholas Jackson hat-trick for the Blues, sealing the win. Nicolas Jackson scored a hat-trick as Chelsea beat nine-man Tottenham 4-1 last season Despite a spate of red cards and injuries, Postecoglou's side continued to play with a high line The 2015-16 season was a year that nobody could have predicted as Leicester City lifted the Premier League title after an incredible campaign. Yet, Tottenham were chasing down Leicester for the title with the contest against Chelsea in May of 2016 a pivotal moment that could end their title dreams. The now coined 'Battle of the Bridge' took place at Stamford Bridge and featured 12 yellow cards and both teams engaging in scraps all over the pitch. Spurs were much the better side, racing into a 2-0 lead through Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son before half time. Superb sub Eden Hazard came on to produce a masterclass, grabbing a stunning 83rd minute equaliser which secured a point for the Blues and destroyed Tottenham's title hopes. On the full-time whistle, emotions spilled onto the pitch as players, managers and coaching staff alike were reeled into brawls including renowned Chelsea troublemaker Diego Costa. It was an iconic match that the Premier League hadn't seen for years and was a joy to behold for the neutral – the same cannot be said for Spurs fans. The infamous 'Battle of the Bridge' was a classic encounter as Tottenham's title hopes faded A magical display from Blues legend Eden Hazard broke Tottenham hearts nine years ago After Frank Lampard's long-range effort against Germany in the 2010 World Cup that crossed the line but didn't count, a huge debate over goal-line technology ensued. This discussion continued in the 2011-12 season during Spurs and Chelsea' semi final clash in the FA Cup. It was a dominant display from Chelsea nonetheless as Juan Mata notched their second goal of the game just after half time. However, replays showed the ball hadn't crossed the line despite Martin Atkinson awarding the goal, putting the hot topic of goal line technology back on the menu. Chelsea, who were then coached by Roberto Di Matteo, went onto win 5-1 against Harry Redknapp's side, but their passage to the final was not without controversy. Chelsea's 5-1 win over Tottenham in 2012 brought the issue of goal-line technology to the fore Life as a Spurs fan has usually been a painful affair with heartbreak. But back in 2008 Spurs did the unthinkable, they won the EFL Cup, beating Chelsea in an emphatic final. Striker Didier Drogba put Chelsea in the lead as his free kick took advantage of a poorly positioned Paul Robinson in goal. Tottenham won the EFL Cup against Chelsea in 2008, a triumph that remains their last trophy Jonathan Woodgate scored the winner after a rare error from Chelsea keeper Petr Cech Dimitar Berbatov levelled from the spot for the Lilywhites as Wayne Bridge had been adjudged to have handled the ball. In disastrous fashion, Jonathan Woodgate sealed Spurs' victory in extra-time after Petr Cech punched the ball on to his head. The victory was Spurs' first since 1999 and 17 arduous later it still remains their only major trophy win.
Share what you think
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mail Online.
By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on Mail Online. To do this we will link your Mail Online account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group