Carvalho wins it for Blues

The Portuguese defender netted the only goal of the game in the 52nd minute to put pressure on leaders Manchester United before their late kick-off at Portsmouth.

Tottenham, forced to play the game just 39 hours after losing the first leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final in Seville, displayed admirable determination but never looked like beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 17 years.

Chelsea should have gone in front in the ninth minute when Salomon Kalou blazed over.

Didier Drogba's knock-down to Frank Lampard almost brought them an opening goal, but the England midfielder's shot was blocked by Michael Dawson. Soon afterwards Carvalho smashed a shot straight at a grateful Paul Robinson.

There was drama at the opposite end when Spurs tested Petr Cech for the first time. A long cross from Steed Malbranque was headed into the path of the onrushing Mido, but Cech reacted swiftly to tip the ball over.

Spurs paid for the miss when Chelsea took the lead through Carvalho. The Portuguese defender collected the ball 35 yards out and sent a low shot beyond Robinson.

After 55 minutes Chelsea should have doubled their lead. Shaun Wright-Phillips and Drogba combined to set up Kalou, but his effort was superbly kept out by the feet of Robinson. On the hour Robinson denied Drogba with a fine stop after the Ivorian striker had side-stepped two challenges and unleashed a left-foot drive from just inside the area.

But Tottenham were still a threat on the counter-attack and Cech required two attempts to deal with a 20-yard shot by Jermain Defoe in the 62nd minute.

Adel Taarabt replaced Teemu Tainio in the 64th minute and his first contribution was to bring a diving save out of Cech with a 25-yard drive.