UEFA Champions League

Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes for a Champions League repeat next season virtually seems to fade away.

It was an important London derby for both; Tottenham and Chelsea. Tottenham had to win to stay in hunt for a spot in Champions League next season, whereas Chelsea needed a win to challenge the title race. However, Tottenham went down to Chelsea 1-2 at Stamford Bridge in a controversial match up. Spurs Goalkeeper, Gomez, once again was criminal for Tottenham, as he committed yet another blunder which proved fatal for Spurs. However, replay showed that the ball did not cross the line but the linesman allowed the goal, sparking angry protests from Tottenham Players.

Gomez and blunders go hand in hand. He committed a serious blunder against Chelsea earlier in December which cost Tottenham 2 points as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Ancelotti’s men can consider themselves fortunate as they were awarded a goal which never crossed the goal line. Tottenham were quite impressive in the 1^st half. Spurs Defender, Sandro, scored a scorcher in the 1^st half to give Tottenham a 1-0 lead in a crucial encounter. Soon the scores were leveled as Chelsea was awarded a controversial goal. The second half was entirely dominated by Chelsea but the Spurs defence was too strong for Chelsea. However Chelsea broke the Spurs defence, as the substitute Kalou scored in the dying moments to keep Chelsea’s hopes alive for the title race. This win piles up the pressure on league leaders Manchester United who will face Arsenal on Sunday at the Emirates.

Tottenham have only managed a single victory in their last 9 encounters. Redknapp’s men surely need a miracle to book a place in the next season of Champions League.  Hopes seem to fade away for tottenham for the 4^th spot. Redknapp’s men have a tough task ahead and are scheduled to play two big games against Manchester City and Liverpool. Adding to Spurs injury, if Liverpool wins their next encounter, they will move ahead of Spurs on goal difference. Manchester City now can heave a sigh of relief, as they have a golden opportunity to stretch their lead to 7 points when they face West Ham on Sunday and inch closer Champions League spot next season.

Tottenham Hotspur is lying at the 5^th position, 4 points behind Manchester City, with city having a game in hand.

P          W        D        L      GD     PTS

Manchester City                  33         17        8       8       21        59

Tottenham Hotspur           34         14       13      7       7         55

Liverpool                                34         15        7      12     12        52

Tags: Champions League, Chelsea, Football, London Derby, Tottenham Hotspur