Drogba shows he can still snarl but Blues lacking bite

The sweet smell of revenge for defeat in the Carling Cup Final filled their nostrils, but Chelsea will have to widen their search at the weekend. Arsenal travel across town and the pitbulls are guaranteed to be all over them.

The Barclays Premier League title is still alive and Chelsea are agitating again. On this form, they promise a dog fight for Arsene Wenger's side at Stamford Bridge.

Bring it on. Grant's side cocked their legs at White Hart Lane, marked their territory but forgot to make off with the bone at the end.

Didier Drogba fancied it. Oh yes. Back to his best, brimming with confidence and breathing down the necks of Tottenham's defenders whenever Chelsea were in possession.

He owed them this, especially after his performance in the Carling Cup Final. He put them into the lead at Wembley and then he put his feet up.

Not this time. He wants out at the end of the season — destination: wherever the Special One manages next — but he was determined to make amends at White Hart Lane.

One touch, two touch it was all too much for Tottenham early on. His third-minute header put Chelsea in front, but there is so much more to his game than goals.

The same can be said for Michael Essien. Kept out of the team in recent weeks by a 35-year-old water carrier, Essien responded with a performance that once earmarked him as one of European football's brightest talents.

Finally, they got a game out of him last night. And a goal. His chip from outside the area was reminiscent of Glenn Hoddle's glorious goal against Watford at Vicarage Road way back in 1985. Yes, it was that good.

Others impressed, with big-game players producing a big game for their manager. Well, it had to happen sooner or later.

The manager absolved himself of the blame for defeats at Manchester United, Arsenal and Barnsley — as well as the Cup final against Tottenham — in the build-up to this game.

On that basis, the players can take the rap for falling short again when the game looked wrapped up.

'Normal service has been resumed' taunted Chelsea supporters in the bottom corner of the Park Lane Stand, only for their heroes to foul up at the finish.

There was no messing at first last night. Joe Cole set up Chelsea's second goal with a jinking run that took him past the outstretched legs of Tottenham's midfielders and Essien completed a bewitching move when his glorious lob sailed over Robinson. Sweet.

Juliano Belletti has barely been seen since the Carling Cup Final, too afraid to show his face after a wretched performance at Wembley. Ditto Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Lucky to even be on the bench, his good fortune will run out when Fabio Capello names the England squad this afternoon.

A bundle of energy one week, barely able to control the ball the next. Wright-Phillips has been dining out on his electrifying performance against Everton in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg ever since, but that was back in January.

He was joined on the bench by Michael Ballack. The first team fancied this one. John Terry rolled his sleeves up in a white hot atmosphere and the rottweillers were right behind him.

They snapped at the ankles of the Tottenham team whenever they were in possession.

Frank Lampard nailed Jermaine Jenas, who was substituted at the break, and Ashley Cole could have no complaints if he has been sent off for an horrific challenge on Alan Hutton.

It was dirty, but Grant has discovered some Dogs of War.