Juan Mata came alive in the second half to prove the catalyst in the visitors' recovery, spoiling Andre Villas-Boas' hopes of getting one over on his former club
Restored to the team at Lloris' expense once again and it was down to his defence, rather than he himself, that he conceded four.
57
14
3.00
Jan Vertonghen
The likes of Hazard and Mata had more joy scurrying around the Chelsea right than they did on the other flank but the Belgian was more than solid going forward and did very well to play the ball across goal for Gallas’ goal.
16
90
1.50
William Gallas
Flop of the Match
Guilty of a very poor header as he attempted to clear a corner which allowed Cahill the opportunity to smash home his volley. Caught in possession by Oscar in the first half which could have been severely punished, too. His run and nodded finish for Spurs' equaliser were good but did not make up for his part in three of the Blues' goals.
13
62
2.50
Kyle Walker
Embarrassed himself a little by trying to claim that he got the ball in a challenge on Ramires for which he was quite rightly booked and was not as penetrative on his flank as left-back counterpart Vertonghen.
18
29
2.50
Steven Caulker
No catastrophic errors like Gallas but still had trouble keeping Chelsea's runners quiet.
32
50
2.50
Clint Dempsey
Pulled away from defenders in the box once or twice without being found. Was having a better game than Sigurdsson so moved more central by Villas-Boas but replaced by Adebayor when his side went behind again.
69
10
3.50
Aaron Lennon
Did well to cause so many problems even while Ashley Cole was playing well, though his assist for Defoe was unintentional. Constantly threatening.
36
48
2.00
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Lucky to stay on the field for as long as he did, the Icelander still struggling to find his feet in the Tottenham side. Dragged one tricky shot not far wide in the first half.
23
35
3.00
Sandro
Used his physical prowess well to deny Oscar on occasion and helped out his defenders, most of Chelsea's threat coming from wide rather than his middle ground.
29
26
3.00
Tom Huddlestone
Quietly effective as the last-minute replacement for Gareth Bale and it was his free-kick that precipitated Gallas' equaliser. The first withdrawn, however, as Villas-Boas sought more stability with Livermore.
73
15
3.50
Jermain Defoe
Too selfish in possession in the first half as Lennon and Dempsey made runs to which he could have supplied the ball but calls from fans for Adebayor to replace him proved premature as his instinctive finish from a tough chance put his side ahead.
Substitutions
13
34
2.50
Jake Livermore
Brought on after Mata's equaliser to add sturdiness to midfield but instead Chelsea took control of the game.
25
43
2.50
Emmanuel Adebayor
His impact after replacing Dempsey was minimal as the Chelsea defence handled his physical threat better than his slighter team-mates' runs.
Nothing he could do about Gallas' header from the closest of ranges and Defoe's strike would have flown past any keeper. Handled most other shots competently as the captain on the day and brilliantly prevented a late Walker equaliser.
140
16
2.50
Branislav Ivanovic
Rarely troubled by either Dempsey, who preferred to drift inside, or Sigurdsson on the Spurs left but lacked a little in forward support. Perhaps slightly harshly booked for simulation in the first half.
154
8
3.00
Ashley Cole
Attentive and alert as ever. If Sigurdsson’s first-half snapshot on the turn had been on target, the left-back looked likely to arrive in time to block it on the line anyway.
139
22
2.50
David Luiz
Could have tracked Defoe a little better on occasion but largely solid - though nearly had a 'Luiz moment' when sticking his leg up unwisely to try to block Walker's late shot.
208
7
4.00
Gary Cahill
His developing habit of sensational goals continued with a glorious, thumping volley from a corner to give Chelsea the lead. In defence, mature and composed. John who?
177
6
3.50
Ramires
Relishing his central role after spending much of last season wide right, the Brazilian displayed some of the drive and energy that Frank Lampard used to be able to offer. Deservedly booked for checking Lennon in full flight near the end of the first half.
162
15
2.50
Oscar
The Brazilian’s go-getter energy saw him steal possession from Gallas which nearly proved deadly but his overall contribution did not quite live up to that early zeal. Taken off with just under 10 minutes to go for Sturridge.
198
18
3.50
John Obi Mikel
Prone to the occasional unnecessary pass that lost possession as ever but a stronger performance than he often gives. At one point early in the game pulled off what looked like a 720-degree pirouette to avoid two tackles and was generally sturdy throughout.
215
12
3.50
Eden Hazard
Two more assists for the Belgian, his second, for Mata, an absolute beauty of a pass. Always on the prowl. Withdrawn in the final moments.
192
45
3.50
Fernando Torres
Confident in his interaction with the attacking midfield three and crafty in his passing. Only Vertonghen’s superb tackle and, later, less than the width of a post, denied him a goal in the second half.
287
3
4.50
Juan Mata
Top of the Match
Industrious and mischievous, the Spaniard flitted around the flanks and, just as he was starting to fade, he had a sniff of goal and suddenly woke up again. Took his scoring run to six in five games with two fantastic finishes and his effort made Sturridge's wrap-up goal.
Substitutions
110
13
Frank Lampard
A late substitute for Hazard.
142
16
3.00
Daniel Sturridge
Looked affronted to have been brought on so late but made his point with a stoppage-time finish, put on a plate by Mata.