Tottenham fightback earns crucial Chelsea draw

Gylfi Sigurdsson came off the bench to score ten minutes from time and earn Tottenham Hotspur FC a 2-2 Premier League draw at third-placed Chelsea FC in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.

The UEFA Europa League finalists – 1-0 winners at Old Trafford on Sunday – had the early momentum and their ebullient approach yielded an 11th-minute opener at Stamford Bridge. Juan Mata's corner was flicked on by Gary Cahill and as Tottenham's concentration flickered, diminutive midfielder Oscar pounced at the back post.

The visitors from north London were in need of inspiration and Emmanuel Adebayor provided it. Collecting possession inside his own half, the former Arsenal FC striker ambled towards goal and sumptuously caressed the ball beyond Petr Čech and into the top corner. Chelsea were in no mood to relent, however, as Ramires combined intuitively with Fernando Torres and swept in six minutes before the break. 

André Villas-Boas's team – fifth in the table – toiled in vain for long periods of the second half, while Eden Hazard blazed over from close range after beguiling Kyle Walker. Undeterred, Tottenham continued to probe and restored parity when Benoît Assou-Ekotto's pass found Sigurdsson, who made no mistake with a sweetly struck right-footed shot. Spurs surged forward in search of a winner, but Chelsea held their nerve to move two points clear of fourth-placed Arsenal and stay three above their guests.