Champions League contenders Chelsea and Tottenham slugged out a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge with Spurs keeping the Blues five points behind them in fifth place. Chelsea are now 22 games unbeaten against Spurs at home but really Roberto Di Matteo's team needed the three points to close the gap on their fourth placed London neighbours.
Tottenham are struggling for form at the moment and so will look on this as a hard earned point and have now gone five games without a league win although Gareth Bale did hit the crossbar for the visitor's late on and Louis Saha put the rebound over.
A dour first half gave way to a more entertaining second period even if there were no goals, Chelsea were guilty of over elaborating when in good positions whilst Spurs simply missed their chances.
Rafael Van der Vaart had the best chance of the first 45 minutes when in the last minute he brought a fine save out from the home keeper Petr Cech.
Emmanuel Adebayor also had a shot cleared off the line by Blues defender Gary Cahill, whilst for the hosts Juan Mata hit a post from free kick.
But overall this was not a classic which still leaves Spurs favourite for the Champions League next season as Chelsea rally needed the three points to put their rivals under pressure.
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 41,830
Chelsea scorers: Tottenham scorers:
TRIBAL ASKS: Have Chelsea lost the chance of closing the gap on a Champions League place?
Yellow cards: Essien (CHE), Assou-Ekotto (TOT), Sandro (TOT)
