Fuente : UEFA (English)
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Football Europe: Chelsea start new season in style

/noticias.info/ English champions Chelsea FC have picked up where they left off as the 2005/06 season takes shape, a 2-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur FC on Saturday afternoon giving José Mourinho's side a fourth successive Premiership victory and maintaining their position as the early pacesetters.

Unbeaten beginnings
Both sides at White Hart Lane had made impressive starts to the new season, Chelsea leading the table at the start of play with nine points from three matches and the home side two points behind. In addition, neither had conceded a league goal in their first three games - Chelsea last allowed the opposition a goal in a league match on the final game of the 2004/05 season against Newcastle United FC, while Tottenham's back line had not been breached in 439 minutes of football.

Chelsea dominance
The stage seemed set for a tight contest, with Tottenham looking for their first league success against their London rivals in 31 attempts. The north London outfit had not defeated Chelsea in the English top flight since a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in February 1990, and had failed to collect three points at home against the same opponents since August 1987.

Derby delight
Furthermore, the champions came into the match in buoyant fashion having run out 4-0 winners against West Bromwich Albion FC in midweek, and earned their first league success against another north london side, Arsenal FC, in a decade last Sunday. Mourinho's men had not tasted defeat in a London derby since losing 2-1 at home against Arsenal on 21 February 2004 and Tottenham's hopes of ending that record suffered a significant setback in the 25th minute when Egyptian forward Mido was sent off following an aerial challenge on Asier Del Horno.

Del Horno quality
Del Horno, a €12m summer signing from Athletic Club Bilbao, was brought in to strengthen Chelsea in the left-back position, and has settled in quickly at Stamford Bridge. His defensive strength had already been noted, but the Spanish international provided ample evidence of his attacking qualities at White Hart Lane, glancing in Frank Lampard's corner on 38 minutes to give the visitors the lead.

Money no object
The different transfer policies of the two sides gives an illuminating view of their respective standings. While Tottenham have concentrated on acquiring promising young players with the potential to develop into world-class talents, Chelsea can afford to splash out on the finished article. One such signing was the architect of Chelsea's clinching second goal with 19 minutes remaining, Shaun Wright-Phillips - who joined from Manchester City FC in a €30.4m move - crossing for Damien Duff to finish from close range and condemn Tottenham to their first home defeat since January, also against Chelsea.

Depth of talent
With Mourinho able to introduce three internationals - England's Wright-Phillips, Robert Huth of Germany and Argentina striker Hernán Crespo - as substitutes and Iceland's Eidur Gudjohnsen an unused replacement, the depth of talent in Chelsea's squad was clear for all to see. The new season may be only four games old, but already the champions look in ominously good shape. notas_de_prensa_archivo