31/08/2008  Chelsea 1 Tottenham 1
 
Tottenham striker Darren Bent provided the attacking threat in the absence of Dimitar Berbatov by poaching a point at Stamford Bridge and ending Chelsea's perfect start to the season.

With Berbatov absent, deemed not focused as he edges towards a move to Manchester United, Spurs were soaking up the pressure and staring at defeat until Bent pounced just before the break to earn Juande Ramos' men their first Barclays Premier League point of the season.

With Roman Pavlyuchenko signed from Spartak Moscow, Bent's first goal of the campaign provided a reminder to Ramos of what he can deliver, with England boss Fabio Capello also in the stands.

Chelsea had deservedly led through Juliano Belletti but they did not convert it into a third win in three - highlighting the importance the signing of Robinho from Real Madrid could make.

Boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has tasted plenty now - in three league games he has romped to victory against Portsmouth, battled to three points at Wigan and now he has a hot-blooded London derby under his belt.

He is also getting to grips with the combat of the Premier League denying him players through injury, so it was Belletti who played in the holding midfield role.

With Claude Makelele paraded to fans at half-time, the man who defined the position would have given his approval to the Brazilian deputising there in the absence of John Obi Mikel and Michael Ballack.

Belletti anchoring allowed Chelsea to seize control after the opening exchanges, with the players picking up where they left off last season when they fought out a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Amid the furious start, Frank Lampard forced an early save from Heurelho Gomes after latching onto a Joe Cole flick. Lampard's chip was floated perfectly to dip under Gomes' crossbar but the Brazilian goalkeeper was able to get back and tip it over.

Deco, who picked up an early booking, drilled in a corner that caused confusion midway through the half and Nicolas Anelka's shot was blocked bravely by Ledley King when the ball broke.

Belletti, thriving in his new role, then sent Anelka through with a lofted throughball and the France striker blasted over.

Chelsea were getting closer, with Michael Essien then rattling Gomes' crossbar with a swerving drive from 25 yards. Then the hosts' pressure paid off with the opener from the resulting corner.

Deco swung in the set-piece, Bent took a swing and missed, and Belletti finished off the move by diverting the ball in off his thigh.

It was his first goal since netting in the same fixture last season - he usually deals in long-range efforts but this one was scrappy.

Looking good value for their lead, Chelsea conceded on the stroke of half-time. Lampard had challenged Luka Modric and the ball ran to Bent, who slotted under Petr Cech.

The leveller was totally against the run of play, and the omens were not good for Spurs at the start of the second period as they lost the ball straight from kick-off.

Ashley Cole was raiding down the left on Scolari's instruction, and Lampard sent him through to fire across the face of the goal. Lampard then tried another chip and this time beat Gomes but not the crossbar.

Ramos' response was to take off Giovani dos Santos and unleash the pace of Aaron Lennon on the right flank. Tom Huddlestone was also brought on to beef up the midfield, with Chris Gunter coming off.

Jermaine Jenas moved to right-back as Spurs sat back looking for their point, eventually holding out despite a frantic finish.