Chelsea are preparing for one of the biggest games of their campaign that could have serious implications on whether they qualify for the Champions League next season.
The Blues will take on Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, as they look to reclaim their place in the top four after recent results have not gone their way.
Enzo Maresca has been handed the boost of a number of players returning from injury in time for the final nine games of the Premier League season.
Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson are fit for the Blues, while Noni Madueke is also set to make his return after limping off in defeat to Brighton.
Chelsea fans have fond memories of a home fixture against Spurs, although one of the most memorable in modern history actually saw the points shared between the two London sides.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg will always remember Battle of the Bridge between Chelsea and Tottenham
The Battle of the Bridge in 2016 between these two sides saw 12 yellow cards handed out by referee on the day, Mark Clattenburg.
Clattenburg told The Chelsea Chronicle that the match, which ended 2-2 and ended Spurs’ hopes at winning the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino, will always live in his memory after he decided not to send off one player in particular.
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He said: “This week sparks one of the most memorable matches of my career, the Battle of the Bridge back in 2016 between Chelsea and Tottenham, however the match this week certainly has different ramifactions.
“Back in 2016 Tottenham were fighting for the title, and Chelsea were having such a poor season, but Chelsea being their rivals wanted to stop them winning the title.
“The game started at an immense pace, really difficult game to referee. There were many incidents in the match that could have been dealt with differently, I’m sure if VAR had been in the match there would have been many red cards.
“People say you should always follow the laws of the game, but this game was quite unique. I tried to apply some laws of the game, some common sense, some understanding of how important it was to Tottenham players because if they hadn’t won, they’d be out of the title race.
“Being 2-0 up at half-time, they thought the result was quite clear, but certainly Chelsea fought back in the second half. There were some incidents in the second half that could’ve been dealt differently.
“I remember Dembele gouging Diego Costa’s eye, which was missed by myself and the assistant referee, which was later punished by the Football Association.
“There were other incidents late on where it was really difficult to manage the game, knowing when to give a red card. I look back now and I think Eric Dier should definitely have recieved a second yellow card, but I tried to play an advantage for Chelsea to score, but I think that would have been the right moment to issue a red card.
“Really difficult match to referee. So many emotions, so many things that stick, but I’m sure the match this week will have different feeling, different players, and therefore the stakes are completely different.
“I’m sure it’ll be a great game, but back in 2016 was such a difficult game to referee, it will always live in my memory.”
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
What was said about the Battle of the Bridge?
Spurs boss at the time and future Chelsea manager Pochettino admitted his players were ‘sensitive’ upon arriving in West London for what turned out to be the title deciding game.
He said to Sky Sports in 2020: “For different reasons, we arrived at that game in a very sensitive moment. We were very aggressive in all that was happening. It was a special moment, very special. Out of context, we can say, ‘Why did Tottenham behave like this?’. But with all the context, in that moment, I think it was normal.
“I was involved in the game and I forgot my thoughts. It was a mistake. I cannot go onto the pitch.”
Chelsea legend John Terry said after the game that things were always going to get out of hand though when two rivals were put in a situation with that much on the line.
He said to Sky Sports at full-time: “It was a London derby we hadn’t lost in 26 years. It was always going to boil over. A couple of times it got out of hand but players are fighting for points and titles. It’s emotions – that’s football.”