CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Chelsea v Tottenham 26/10/96 3.00

Chelsea                 (1) 3 Tottenham               (1) 1 FT
Gullit 27                     Armstrong 41
Lee 52 (pen)                  
Di Matteo 80

Chelsea paid the perfect tribute to Matthew Harding by maintaining their remarkable record over London rivals Tottenham at an emotional Stamford Bridge today.

Ruud Gullit's men somehow lifted hearts made heavy by the tragic death of their popular vice-chairman in a helicopter crash on Tuesday night to make it 15 games without defeat against the visitors from across the capital.

Goals by player-boss Gullit - outstanding throughout - David Lee, and Roberto Di Matteo left Spurs, still looking for their first win against Chelsea since 1990 despite Chris Armstrong's reply.

It was just a shame that Harding was not there to enjoy the day, his premature passing ensuring that football rightly took a back seat.

The players wore black armbands as a mark of respect, while a minutes silence was held impeccably by both sets of supporters, the only noise ironically coming from an helicopter that passed behind the West stand in the most poignant of moments.

Gullit declared in his programme notes that he did not even want to think about football following the harrowing events of the past week.

But even in automatic mode the dreadlocked Dutchman is a joy to behold, one stunning 50-yard crossfield pass bringing early gasps of admiration as it arrowed into Dennis Wise's feet.

The Blues looked full of goals. Gianluca Vialli volleyed a first minute effort wide and then Mark Hughes should have done better than head past the post when Wise's cross found the Welsh striker unmarked eight yards out.

Hughes thought he had made amends when he met a Di Matteo cross with an emphatic header, but he looked in disbelief as Ian Walker plunged to his left to scoop the ball around the post one-handed.

There was no stopping the home side and they deservedly went ahead in the 27th minute - thanks to that man Gullit.

Di Matteo's cross from the right was met by a Hughes header that rattled Walker's right hand post and the Dutchman was onto the rebound in a flash to drive home his first goal of the season in his first Premiership start of the season.

Tottenham, though, are full of resolve under the determined Gerry Francis and they managed to get a foothold in the game that eventually realised an equaliser five minutes before the half-time break.

Chelsea keeper Kevin Hitchcock was at fault, flapping at Allan Neilsen's long throw from the right and seeing Armstrong loop a header home for his fifth goal of the season.

Spurs should have gone ahead immediately after half-time when Neilsen headed wide when Ruel Fox's right wing corner found him free in front of goal.

But Chelsea soon resumed control, Hughes dragging a 16 yard shot across the face of goal and wide after turning Colin Calderwood, before the home side found a way through again.

Dan Petrescu's charge across the face of the box was halted by Sol Campbell's trip and, although the Romanian's fall was theatrical, referee Roger Dilkes was perfectly placed to award the penalty.

When the Tottenham protests died down, Lee stepped up to hammer the ball home for his first goal of the season, Walker getting a hand to the shot but failing to keep it out.

Chelsea were rampant now and a superb link up between Vialli and Hughes put Scott Minto in to slam a half volley against the crossbar, Hughes blazing the rebound over.

Justin Edinburgh was booked for an horrendous tackle on Michael Duberry as the Chelsea defender powered forward, while Petrescu was also cautioned for diving.

Spurs had rarely threatened during the second period and, when David Howells did get a sight of goal, his weak chip was easily saved by Hitchcock.

After a 73 minute master class, Gullit was replaced by Craig Burley and seven minutes later Terry Phelan was forced into the action when Lee went down clutching his right leg after a shuddering challenge with Campbell and was stretchered off in acute distress.

But within moments, Chelsea made sure of the points thanks to the Italian connection of Di Matteo and Vialli.

The shaven-headed Vialli galloped free down the right and delivered a perfect near post cross for Di Matteo to dart in and slide home his third goal for the Blues since his club record £4.9million from Lazio.

That was the cue for renewed chants of ``there is only one Matthew Harding'' - and how he would have loved it.