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England: Mido sent off as Chelsea maintain hoodoo over Tottenham [Sat Aug 27th, 2005]
London (Reuters) - Champions Chelsea maintained their 100 percent start to the Premier League season and their long unbeaten record against Tottenham Hotspur with a 2-0 win at White Hart Lane.
Goals from Asier del Horno (39 minutes) and Damien Duff (71) helped Chelsea stretch their unbeaten league run against Spurs to 31 games since February 1990.
Spurs matched their London rivals until Egypt striker Mido was shown a red card for appearing to elbow Spaniard Del Horno in the face after 25 minutes, and that effectively proved the end of the game as a contest.
The 11 men of Chelsea gradually dominated against Tottenham's 10 and won easily.
But Tottenham's disappointed Dutch coach Martin Jol could not hide his frustration.
"The red card killed the game, it changed everything. I woke up this morning and thought we could really beat Chelsea and I thought we played fantastically for the first 25 minutes," Jol told reporters.
"After the red card I thought we still battled well and I am proud of my team because it is the sort of game you could lose four or five-nil.
VERY UPSET
"Mido is very upset and has apologised to everyone. He would not have done it intentionally, he is not that sort of player."
The incident contributed to Tottenham's first defeat of the season. It was also their first loss at White Hart Lane since Chelsea won by the same score in January.
In many ways the outcome was inevitable, with Chelsea having last lost a league match at Tottenham in August 1987.
Leaders Chelsea have won their opening four matches of the season and are yet to concede a goal.
"The midfield triangle played very well, very safe and very intelligently," said manager Jose Mourinho after Chelsea took their unbeaten run in the league to 33 games.
"Michael Essien has come into the side and is the complete midfield player, and I think Petr Cech only had one save to make all match.
"Spurs started very well and are a very good team and will have a good season. But we controlled the match and I am delighted."
The only worry for Chelsea was a knee injury sustained by captain John Terry in the second half which could make him doubtful for England's World Cup qualifiers against Wales (September 3) and Northern Ireland (September 7).
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