This season, Chelsea have been able to beat their fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Back in November, they defeated Thomas Frank’s side 1-0 in the Premier League, with Joao Pedro scoring the only goal of the night.
It all came from a terrific bit of pressing from Moises Caicedo, who won the ball back before setting up Pedro.
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It was a good win but, of course, obviously not Chelsea’s first against Spurs. In total, the Blues have beaten their London rivals 38 times in the Premier League, including in 2008 when a certain striker made his debut for the club.
Chelsea's latest signing, French player Nicolas Anelka (2nd R) comes onto the field to replace Claudio Pizarro (R)
Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Nicolas Anelka made Chelsea debut 18 years ago in 2-0 win against Tottenham
On 12 January 2008, which was exactly 18 years ago, Nicolas Anelka made his debut for Chelsea against Tottenham.
The former centre-forward came on as a substitute and helped his new side to defeat their arch-enemies 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Juliano Belletti and Shaun Wright-Phillips were Chelsea’s goalscorers that day, but Anelka did come close to finding the back of the net himself after hitting the woodwork.
Chelsea signed Anelka from Bolton for £15m in a deal that has to be described as one of the club’s best ever bargains.
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Liam Rosenior at Fulham v Chelsea.
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Anelka went on to score 59 goals in 184 appearances for the Blues, helping them to win the Premier League title in 2010.
His career at Stamford Bridge ended on a very disappointing note. Anelka was banished from the first team as Andre Villas-Boas tried to force him out of Chelsea.
Even so, Anelka will look back at his time in west London with fond memories, though it could have been an even greater experience had the Frenchman not missed his penalty in the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United.
Nicolas Anelka of Chelsea sits on the bench during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur
Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images
Nicolas Anelka’s Golden Boot-winning campaign
Nineteen of Anelka’s 59 goals for Chelsea came in the 2008/09 Premier League season.
It was enough for Anelka to win the Golden Boot award, with the ex-France international finishing above the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard.
Rank Premier League top scorers in 2008/09 season Goals
1. Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 19
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) 18
3. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 16
4. Fernando Torres (Liverpool) 14
= Robinho (Manchester City) 14
Fast forward to now, and if Chelsea had a poacher like Anelka in their ranks, they would probably be in the top four.
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