Chelsea 1 Tottenham 1
Felipe Scolari admits Chelsea will need to show more guile than they did against Spurs if they are to avoid more frustrating afternoons at the Bridge.
The Blues resorted to too many long balls in their quest to prise open a stubborn Tottenham and they seldom looked like getting the better of central defenders Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate with their tactics.
Chelsea have not lost at home for nearly four years but they were held to seven draws at the Bridge last year and that ultimately cost them the title. They can ill afford a repeat.
"We make more mistakes because we need to try to work more the ball," Scolari said.
"With high balls, we have not tall players for this. A draw is OK, but we need to try to work the ball. We might make a mistake, but no problem, we should try.
"With a high ball, you win maybe one ball and lose eight.
"They feel the pressure from the fans to win and its difficult to think when you are on the pitch."
Having gone in front when Juliano Belletti turned in a corner at the near post, Chelsea fans were expecting as comfortable a day as they usually get against Spurs.
Moreover, the visitors were looking for their first point of the season and feeling bruised by the determination of Dimitar Berbatov to follow Robbie Keane out of the club.
But a tackle by Frank Lampard tracking back landed at the feet of Darren Bent in space just before the break and the advantage was lost.
None of the spark which characterised the opening win against Portsmouth could be seen, with Deco largely anonymous and Nicolas Anelka having one of those days where he looks completely indifferent to the world.
Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba cannot come back soon enough, regardless of the outcome of those protracted negotiations to bring Robinho from Real Madrid.
"We know that we lost two points today but in the Premier League, it’s impossible that you win four, five six games," Scolari said. "The other teams are strong and they have good quality.
"I don’t say it’s a bad result. We need to respect Tottenham. They are a very good team. They played very well and sometimes its impossible to win.
"Seven points from nine, if we make this through to the final week, surely we are first. With seventy five per cent of the points, you win."
