Juan Mata ensured Chelsea’s 4-2 stunning victory against Tottenham Hotspurs to help his side continue their unbeaten start to the 2012 Premier League campaign.
The Spanish midfielder Juan Mata netted two crucial goals and an assist to give Blues a wonderful victory at White Hart Lane while Gary Cahill and Daniel Sturridge also scored one goal each. The Hotspur found two goals from William Gallas and Jermain Defoe.
The Blues came into the ground without their captain John Terry who is facing a four-game ban by Football Association for ethnically mistreating QPR Anton Ferdinand. However, Frank Lampard and Ryan Bertrand were back after recovering through injuries. In the opposite side, Scott Parker, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul were major absentees.
The victory was Chelsea’s first in the last seven League away visits to White Hart Lane. From the last three matches, they lost three and the same number had been ended without any decision. The last match between both teams came in the FA Cup semi-final where the Chelsea crushed Spurs 5-1.
The first hot moment of the match came in the 4th minute of opening faceoff when Sigurdsson floated the ball to the near post, where Gallas got it but scuffed his effort wide.
Chelsea opened the score board in the 18 minute when Gary Cahill netted his fourth goal of the season. In the next minute, Spurs wasted a golden opportunity to get an equalizer as Defoe’s effort was parried by Cech. Dempsey had a chance to roll it in but failed due to spirited interference from Cole.
Tottenham, who didn’t lose any London derby at home ground in the League since September 2007, equalized the game in the opening minutes of second interval after Gallas cetted the opening goal for his side.
Few minutes later, Defoe made 2-1for Hortspurs thanks to a beautiful effort by Lennon down, who brought the right and an angled low ball towards Defoe. The English striker didn’t waste any chance and rifled a finish past opponent keeper.
Tottenham could maintain their success only for 11 minutes as in the 66 minute; Chelsea leveled the game through Juan Mata. Gallas tried to clear a Hazard’s cross but Juan Mata got an edge of the ball and guided it past Friedel.
The Blues were ahead again when Juan Mata doubled his tally, throwing a lovely strike into the opponent box after getting a brilliant pass from Hazard. Chelsea sealed the victory in the injury time when Sturridge grabbed a goal after getting a beautiful pass from Juan Mata.
