AVB’s long waited reunion with former mentor Jose Mourinho ended in a draw as John Terry’s header gave his team a valuable point.
Gylfi Sigurdsson gave Spurs the lead in the first –half after dominating majority of the half but Chelsea were revitalised with the injection of Juan Mata at half-time and John Terry scored the equaliser on the 65th minute.
Fernando Torres was unjustly sent off with nine minutes left to go in the game after receiving a second yellow from Mike Dean following an aerial challenge with defender Jan Vertonghen.
Chelsea’s £30m new signing Willian, snatched away from Spurs, couldn’t even make the bench as he cintuniues to be on the margins of Mourinho’s team.
And it was Willian’s replacement (Christian Ericksen) who was the centre piece as Spurs took control.
On the 19th minute, Ericksen easily went past frank Lampard and played a ball to Roberto Soldado, Sigurdsson quickly converted the chance to a well – deserved goal by the home team.
Andre Villas-Boas celebrated the goal but was left frustrated when Spurs wasted opportunities to double their lead before half-time when Paulinho struck the woodwork from Andros Townsend’s pass.
Mourinho responded quickly at the break by replacing Mikel Obi with Mata.
Torre was at the centre of events soon after the break, first crossing for Oscar who just failed to make contact at the far post.
The Spaniard was then issued a yellow card when he tripped Vertonghen before hitting his face, and he also forced a save from Hugo Illoris.
Vertinghen was also booked for a challenge on Ramires and Chelsea inflicted further punishment when an unmarked Terry glanced a header to perfection home from a Mata free-kick.
The momentum was in Chelsea favour for a better part of the second half, AVB had to replace Ericksen and Townsend for Nacer CHadli and Lewis Holtby in an attempt to regain control.
Fernando Torres was given a red card after a second clash with Vertongen, the challenge was innocuous with no malice and a disbelieving Torres walked slowly of the pitch where he was consoled by Jose.
Spurs tried to make good use of their advantage but were unable to capitalize which provided both teams with a share the points at White Hart Lane.