Sensational Chelsea comeback ends Spurs’ title hopes

Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2

A sensational Chelsea comeback ended Tottenham’s title hopes and confirmed Leicester City as champions.

Goals from Harry Kane and Son Heung-min put the visitors two up at half-time but Gary Cahill netted early in the second half and Eden Hazard equalised with seven minutes remaining.

Spurs, who needed a first win at Stamford Bridge since 1990 to keep their title bid alive, were in command before Cahill got in front of Toby Alderweireld to control Willian’s right-wing corner and poke the ball in with his left boot.

And the Bridge erupted when Hazard, on as a half-time substitute, found space on the left and exchanged passes with Diego Costa before finding the top corner of the net with a glorious first-time shot.

With the home fans desperate for their team to ensure their despised London rivals did not win the Premier League, Chelsea’s players responded with a high-tempo start.

But they were undone on 35 minutes when a neat Spurs move culminated in Erik Lamela cleverly threading the ball through to Kane, who rounded keeper Asmir Begovic before applying the finish.

And after Branislav Ivanovic gave the ball away a minute before the interval, Christian Eriksen played in Son, who coolly steered the ball past Begovic.

There was controversy soon after Son’s goal. Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino broke up a scuffle between Willian and Danny Rose near the touchline, and during a melee that followed Spurs’ Moussa Dembele appeared gouge Costa’s eyes.

Hazard replaced Pedro and forced a near-post save from keeper Hugo Lloris as Chelsea attempted to get back into the game.

Tottenham remained a threat and Begovic twice saved to deny Kane, keeping out a header and a low shot from the England striker.

But Pochettino’s side then switched off a set-piece and were punished by Cahill, whose goal galvanised Chelsea.

With Blues supporters baying for the goal that would destroy Tottenham’s title challenge, Hazard netted the equaliser they wanted and sealed an incredible triumph for Leicester’s former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri.