What's Changed Since Chelsea Denied Tottenham Hotspur the Premier League Title?
It’s Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The grudge match resumes.
History and geography has meant this London derby has rarely needed inspiration. It's been frantic down the years—one defined by battles on the pitch as well as the terraces.
With Spurs now competing regularly at the top end of the Premier League, the sense of competition has intensified. Matches between the clubs aren't just about a rivalry anymore but also come with prestige and silverware on the line.
In 2015, Chelsea defeated Spurs to win the then-League Cup at Wembley Stadium, and last season, Mauricio Pochettino's men arrived at Stamford Bridge with real aspirations of being crowned champions.
Within 90 minutes, Chelsea had ended that dream. The Blues clawed their way back into the game to draw 2-2. Extending Tottenham's winless run in west London—Spurs have not won at Stamford Bridge in the league since 1990—meant the Premier League trophy was gift-wrapped for Leicester City.
It wasn't just the result that dented Spurs' pride that night in May; Chelsea's wild celebrations at denying their rivals also slighted Tottenham. That led to scuffles in the tunnel, with the Blues' interim manager, Guus Hiddink, even being floored among the melee.
"[Chelsea away] was the first fixture I looked out for in the summer," Tottenham left-back Danny Rose recently admitted, per Darren Lewis of the Mirror, as he remembered events from May.
It wasn’t just Rose with that point of view—every Chelsea and Spurs fan would have been licking their lips when the fixtures were announced.
This game has so much riding on it, although six months on from the battle of Stamford Bridge, there are different subplots. We're talking about Chelsea as being Premier League leaders again, while Spurs are having to cope with no longer being a Champions League club. Blues boss Antonio Conte commands the touchline, attempting to inspire his players.
In a short space of time, Chelsea and Spurs have the look of different clubs.
As we count down to kick-off, Bleacher Report takes a closer look at the shifting landscape at Chelsea.
The Leaders Are Different
Under Conte’s guidance, the influence of John Terry has been diluted. It’s happened in the name of progress, and the way Conte has dealt with the club captain has been exemplary.
There hasn’t been a public falling-out with Terry or an attempt to undermine his position in the same way Rafa Benitez did. Instead, Conte’s been respectful and polite, showing how the team ethic has been put ahead of reputations under his leadership.
In a three-man defence, Terry isn’t a standout choice. His attributes limit what he can offer, lacking the same dynamism others such as David Luiz bring to the team. With his ageing legs—not to mention a lack of pace—Terry can’t play as the wide man on the left or right, either.
Chelsea are no longer relying on him in the way they have done for well over a decade. Indeed, they aren't dependent on Terry setting the tone ahead of Saturday, either.
When Spurs and Chelsea came to blows in May, it was a throwback to when the Blues were England's dominant team under Jose Mourinho. Their strength was Terry, who inspired those around him. When Spurs rolled up, the Blues' display to claim a draw that night was a rare demonstration of character in an otherwise forgettable season.
The performance was Terry-esque, so when he posted an image on Instagram telling Chelsea fans Spurs wouldn't be winning the title or a game of football at Chelsea with him around, it was clear who was the driving force behind the impassioned performance.
The hashtag of choice was #NotOnMyShift. That's changed now. There are different leaders emerging at Chelsea.
Chelsea Are Looking Like Winners Again
What surprised most about the clash between Chelsea and Spurs in May was just how far the Blues had fallen in 12 months. A year earlier, they had been parading trophies around west London, but this time, celebrations over drawing a match told us their position.
Chelsea weren't just a mid-table side. They had slipped out of the elite. However momentary that was, it doesn't disguise the fact it happened. Chelsea had gone from enjoying their own victories to revelling in the failures of others.
Under Conte, they're back doing what they should be; if fans are gloating, it's about being top of the Premier League and not because they have denied another team success.
That's a vital component of where clubs position themselves. It's not enough to look on smugly; the best clubs with the best players go out and win things to prove where they stand in the hierarchy.
Chelsea lost their focus for a while in 2015/16, but Conte is restoring things.
Chelsea's Dominance Has Returned
It wasn't just in May when Chelsea looked inferior to Spurs. When the clubs drew 0-0 at White Hart Lane in November, Chelsea were happy to come away with the draw. It didn't speak well for how things would eventually go for Mourinho, who was out of a job within a month.
Spurs may have been denied that day, but it was clear the long-term swing of power was moving rapidly in their favour if Chelsea couldn't arrest their decline. With a vibrant manager at the helm, coupled with a young team full of energy, Spurs had stolen a march.
The Blues weren't as dominant as they had been. Opponents had figured them out, and their game had become more about stopping teams like Spurs than actually beating them.
A year on from White Hart Lane—six months from Stamford Bridge—it's Chelsea who are blazing a trail. Conte's new 3-4-3 has made them the pre-eminent team thus far in 2016/17. They're exciting once more and, having not conceded a goal in six matches, are looking dominant.
Spurs have it all to do when they face Chelsea on Saturday.
Will the Game Be as Intense?
It’s a London derby; it’s Chelsea against Spurs. So of course we can expect fireworks. It won’t be Chelsea lighting the fuse, though. We should be expecting that from Spurs. Not only will Pochettino’s men be chasing a sense of revenge on Saturday, but the Tottenham side is largely the same as the one that lost to the Blues in May.
Where Chelsea are concerned, we can expect close to half the players to have changed. Victor Moses, Marcos Alonso, N’Golo Kante, David Luiz and Thibaut Courtois didn’t feature at Stamford Bridge that night, so the perspective will be different.
Judging by how the game went in May, that could be a significant factor working in Chelsea’s favour. Spurs crumbled through a lack of discipline; they allowed their emotions to overcome them, and it damaged what should have been a memorable performance. We shouldn't forget that Pochettino’s men were 2-0 up before the break and were largely outplaying Chelsea. It was when the pressure took hold that the Blues seized the moment and forced their way back into it.
As much as it demonstrated a lack of control from Spurs, the game outlined Chelsea’s superior game management. It wasn’t the perfect performance, yet they were able to react and take control when it was needed. That’s improved under Conte, and being fuelled more by victory than revenge heading into the game, Chelsea should have the upper hand in the psychological battle.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.
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