Tottenham gear up to play Chelsea in a high octane London derby this Saturday. The stakes were much higher in this fixture last season though, as the Blues ended Spurs’ title hopes with a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs are the only undefeated team in the Premier League this season. They managed to keep that record intact against London rivals West Ham United this past weekend with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory. However, they now face the daunting task of taking on Antonio Conte and Chelsea next weekend at Stamford Bridge.
Left-back Danny Rose has not forgotten what happened last season in this fixture. The Englishman recently spoke about how devastating it was to have Tottenham’s title hopes destroyed by their bitter local rivals.
“The feeling after that Chelsea game last season is one that I never want to feel again,” said Rose, according to the Mirror. “There were people upset, crying in the changing room after that game.
“It’s a feeling that we never want to feel again as a football club. I hope everyone has learned from that and we are going to try and push on this season.”
In May 2016, Tottenham visited Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in their 36th game of the season with a mathematical chance of overtaking leaders Leicester City.
Things looked good for Mauricio Pochettino’s men as they reached half-time with a 2-0 lead. However, the Blues bounced back courtesy of a rejuvenated Eden Hazard to snatch a point. It was a historic moment for Leicester City and the Premier League, but a bitter pill to swallow for Spurs.
Pochettino has moulded his team into one of the finest in the Premier League, and they will be looking to prove that last season wasn’t a glitch, but the new status quo.
Tottenham have started the present season strongly, but are still four points behind league leaders Chelsea. They will look to continue their unbeaten streak this coming Saturday, as well as exact some measure of vengeance against their local rivals.
