Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur Head to Head
Location: London
Teams: Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur
First meeting: 18 December 1909, First Division, Chelsea 2–1 Tottenham Hotspur
Stadiums: Stamford Bridge (Chelsea), Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Spurs)
Chelsea wins: 77
Tottenham Hotspur wins: 55
Drawn: 43
Top scorer: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 12 goals
In the heart of London, two of the most popular Premier League football clubs clash, sparking a rivalry that surpasses sport. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, both steeped in history and success, have created some of the most memorable moments in English football.
Today, we will go through this rivalry and have a look at the head to head stats.
So, let’s get started!
The Clash of London Titans
The Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur rivalry is a compelling saga that pits two prominent London-based professional football clubs against each other. Chelsea calls Stamford Bridge home, while Tottenham Hotspur plays their home matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Their battles on the pitch have sparked both passion and antipathy among fans, making this rivalry one of the most cherished and fiercely contested in English football.
History
While two of the most popular football clubs in the world, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur may not have always considered each other as primary rivals, the seeds of this intense competition were sown as far back as the 1967 FA Cup final.
This historic final marked the competition’s first-ever match between two London teams, earning it the moniker “Cockney Cup Final.” Tottenham won with a 2–1 score in front of over 100,000 spectators.
However, the rivalry truly arose during the 1974–75 season when both teams found themselves locked in a bitter battle to avoid relegation from the First Division. The stakes were high, and the tension was palpable. In a pre-match frenzy, fans invaded the pitch, resulting in an explosive start to the game. Tottenham won 2–0 that day, ultimately securing their place in the top flight and condemning Chelsea to relegation.
Chelsea’s Dominance in the ’90s
The 1990s saw Chelsea establish dominance in their encounters with Tottenham. In fact, Chelsea, one of the richest football clubs in the world, went undefeated against their rivals for over a decade during this period. The zenith of their supremacy was marked by a resounding 6–1 victory at White Hart Lane during the 1997–98 season.
However, Tottenham managed to break Chelsea’s dominance on November 5, 2006. In a match at White Hart Lane, Tottenham secured a 2–1 victory, ending 16 years of frustration in league encounters with the Blues. But the rivalry took on a darker note when fans from both sides clashed in the streets of London, leading to ten injuries from knife fights.
One of the most iconic and emotionally charged moments in this rivalry occurred on May 2, 2016, during a match at Stamford Bridge. This ill-tempered contest, later dubbed the ‘Battle of Stamford Bridge,’ saw Tottenham squander a 2–0 lead, eventually settling for a 2–2 draw.
This draw handed the Premier League title to Leicester City, marking the closest Tottenham had come to winning the league since their last title in 1961.
The following year, on January 4, 2017, Tottenham defeated Chelsea 2–0 at White Hart Lane, ending Chelsea’s record-breaking 13-game winning streak in the Premier League. Despite this victory, Chelsea went on to secure the Premier League title that season, with Tottenham finishing as runners-up.
A New Venue and Ethnic Controversy
December 22, 2019, marked a significant date in the rivalry as Chelsea played their first match at Tottenham’s new stadium. Chelsea won 2–0, courtesy of a brace by Willian. However, the match garnered widespread media attention for alleged racist behavior by some Tottenham fans directed at Chelsea’s defender Antonio Rüdiger.
Recent Matches
Recent seasons have seen Chelsea maintain their competitive edge over Tottenham. In January 2022, Chelsea triumphed over Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final, securing their spot at Wembley with a 2–0 aggregate victory. Chelsea continued their dominance with a 2–0 Premier League win over Tottenham just days later, marking a trifecta of wins against their rivals within a month, a feat not seen in the Premier League since 2010.
However, the rivalry is not just on the pitch. The touchline has also been a battleground, as evidenced in a Premier League match on August 14, 2022. Chelsea’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, and Tottenham’s manager, Antonio Conte, both received red cards following multiple altercations. The match ended in a 2–2 draw, and Tuchel criticized referee Anthony Taylor for missing crucial calls, adding another layer of intrigue to this fierce rivalry.
Highest Attendances
This historic rivalry has drawn immense crowds over the years. The highest attendance ever recorded in a Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur match was an astonishing 100,000 spectators during the 1967 FA Cup final, held at Wembley. Other notable attendances include 89,294 fans at the 2015 Football League Cup final and 87,660 at the 2008 Football League Cup final, both held at Wembley.
In recent years, matches at Wembley have consistently attracted large audiences, such as the 2017 FA Cup semi-final with 86,355 spectators and the 2012 FA Cup semi-final with 85,731 attendees. These numbers reflect the enduring appeal and significance of this captivating rivalry.
Conclusion
The Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur rivalry is not just a football contest; it’s a spectacle that shows the passion, intensity, and history of the sport. From their first meeting in 1909 to the modern-day clashes, this rivalry has produced unforgettable moments, iconic matches, and emotional highs and lows for fans on both sides.
