Remember, remember the 5th of November (Video)
When pitching the date November 5th to any member of the public, they’ll recount tales of Guy Fawkes, the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and the fact it’s bonfire night. Put the date to a Tottenham Hotspur fan and you’ll have a minute-by-minute account of the 2-1 win over Chelsea from 2006, their first league win over the Blues since 1990.
A bitter chill had engulfed White Hart Lane that day and, judging from the opening exchanges, it looked to be an afternoon that Chelsea would once again dominate. Once Claude Makélelé had opened the scoring, it looked to be written in the stars.
However, the hosts were level 10 minutes after the Frenchman’s stunning strike through Michael Dawson. Belief began to set in and Spurs fans were quietly confident that three points could be secured.
Then it happened. The deciding factor in an explosive London derby. Robbie Keane made a mockery of Khalid Boulahrouz on the left wing before firing a ball across the 18 yard box. Aaron Lennon controlled and curled a left foot effort past Hilario in the Chelsea net.
N17 erupted louder and brighter than any firework ever could as the supporters celebrated the goal like it was a cup final. Cue a mad, nail-biting 40 or so minutes, including a John Terry red card, but when the final whistle blew; the sigh of relief that emanated around White Hart Lane was deafening.
It was the first in six games that Spurs remained unbeaten against Chelsea, which was brought to an abrupt end earlier this season, but one that fans will forever remember. Not to mention, of course, that challenge on Arjen Robben from Ledley King that may’ve led to Makélelé’s opener, but will always remain in the hearts of supporters of the North London side.
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