Sunderland players asking for Di Canio's sacking were doing what's best for the club.

Sunderland players were not acting in their own interests when they called Paolo Di Canio’s bluff and asked for him to be sacked. I believe they did it for the good of the club.
The place did need a lift to stay up in March but I said at the time that Di Canio was a gamble and toss of the coin.
The short term quick fix worked and he kept them up, making himself very popular on Wearside thanks to that win at Newcastle, and those incredible celebrations.

Short stint: Paolo Di Canio's spell on Wearside has been terminated by Sunderland

He was good value and entertainment for the rest of us, but it was never really going to last and, away from the spotlight, he made himself too unpopular in the dressing room, and around the whole football club.
The staff and the supporters at Sunderland are the club. It would not exist without them. And, when you play for them, they will do absolutely anything to help you. It is common courtesy to be polite and pleasant in return, surely.
I will never accept that dietary changes make a difference to impose bans on certain foods. Players now look after themselves.
But I always respected and understood managers have their own way of doing things, and have to implement their rules. On the whole, players just get on with it. They just want to enjoy training, and by all accounts there were no complaints from the players there.

Stand-off: Di Canio faced up to the visiting fans after his side's defeat at West Brom

When Di Canio publically criticised John O’Shea after his sending-off, I didn’t have a problem with that, and I suspect John didn’t really either. But he went over the top on Ji Dong-won, who clearly needs help not insults, and he kept doing it to all of them.
If he was like that in front of the cameras, what on earth went on behind closed doors, I dread to think.
Sunderland players have received a lot of criticism because Di Canio’s sacking has been put down to player power. But he tried to do too much, too quickly without thinking about anyone else but himself.
They’d clearly had enough. It must have taken a great deal for the players to be brave enough to make that phonecall to chief executive Margaret Byrne, because they knew the repercussions, and the adverse publicity it would create and of course the very real possibility it might backfire. And then what?
As most Sunderland fans will tell you, I didn’t have the best of spells up in the North East, although I enjoyed my time immensely and appreciate how much they love their football.
Kevin Ball is Mr Sunderland. He’s not from the area, he was brought up in Portsmouth and was a junior at Coventry, but he has lived and breathed the club for 20 years.

All too much: Sunderland supporters made their feelings clear to Di Canio while one young supporter was left in tears (below) as the Black Cats were beaten at The Hawthorns on Saturday

He’s the first to admit he was not the best of players alongside Quinn, Phillips, Johnston, Clark, Summerbee and Gray. But they will all tell you that 100-plus points promotion winning side would not have been a team without Kevin Ball.
I respected players like him more when I played. They always gave everything in training, every day, without fail, and expected the same from team-mates. They hated players who weren’t trying. Bally is the same now as a youth coach.
Because he has played with wonderful players throughout his career, Kevin has shown in his role at Sunderland’s academy that he can educate young players.
It can’t be easy getting Academy players in the first team with so many managerial changes and recently just Jack Colback and Jordan Henderson have come through but plenty are making a career in the game.
That’s his role and he’s very good at it but if he gets the job – and why not? – I can’t really see a way back into the Sunderland Academy and that would be a shame.
He is the safe pair of hands the club needs right now, to bring a bit of Sunderland back into Sunderland Football Club. There’s no one better to tell the new players what playing for the club really means to its people.

Controversy: Di Canio arrived at the club to much controversy

All the players could do with a dose of Bally.
'Sheedy moves down the left, beats the full-back, gets to the by-line and crosses into the box for Cascarino to head home from close range.'
That was me and my mate John Calligan, every week in winter growing up in Preston. We’d break into Deepdale, climbing a wall or dodgy turnstile, and play on the plastic pitch because it was the only ground we knew that had nets.
We’d be there for hours as our favourite players, and although Chris Waddle was my real hero, I had my green Opel Ireland shirt on, so I was Kevin Sheedy. John was Tony Cascarino.
Sheedy is an Everton legend and yet I can see why some Everton fans are saying Leighton Baines is up there with him as the best left-sided the club has had.
His second free-kick against West Ham last week certainly reminded me of Sheedy and the time he put a free-kick in one top corner, and, after it was disallowed, put the second one in the other corner. Leighton put two free-kicks out of Jussi Jaaskelainen’s reach the same way, only both counted.

Screamers: Leighton Baines (left) is congratulated after two incredible free-kicks helped Everton to victory

When I was with Leighton at Wigan, one day a week manager Paul Jewell put Leighton up against Luis Antonio Valencia and the two of them went at it at match tempo, and it was just brilliant to watch.
Some players don’t train that way at all but the only way you will improve is by giving every session 100 per cent, and those two did it every week, putting all their pace, power and agility into every game situation. They just wanted to play football and test each other.
Playing in front of Leighton most weeks, I could see how good he was going to be. He just has everything and has gone on to challenge Ashley Cole for the left-back slot in the England side.
And of course he could be a Manchester United player now if David Moyes had got his way and Everton had succumbed to his bid in the summer.

Unstoppable: Jussi Jaaskelainen had no chance of keeping out Baines' free-kick

All credit to Everton and chairman Bill Kenwright for refusing to budge. I think the feeling round Goodison was that if they were going to lose anyone, they would rather it was Mauroane Fellaini. That was good business for Everton but Manchester United obviously didn’t meet their valuation of Leighton.
He’s handled the situation brilliantly. He could have put a transfer request in and battered down Bill Kenwright’s door, and David Moyes may have expected him to, but Everton fans will appreciate his loyalty. It shows what he thinks of the club.
Leighton Baines is the player of September for me.
Thumbs-up
Russell Slade
Eight wins out of eight for Leyton Orient, the only team in Europe with a 100 per cent record.
Thumbs-down
Graham Westley
Locked his team in the dressing for an hour after the defeat at home to Graham Kavanagh’s Carlisle United last week. Enough said.

Why I want us all to be Arsenal fans for a season.

This view will not be popular at White Hart Lane. I don’t expect too many people will agree around Stamford Bridge, in Manchester or on Merseyside, either. But this season, we should all be Arsenal fans.
If they are successful, that will mean Arsene Wenger stays in the Premier League. And we need him to stay.
This man has had a profound impact on British football and the game here would be poorer without him.

Visionary: Arsene Wenger has guided Arsenal to the top of the Premier League after five games

Where would the Premier League be minus Wenger? Clubs would not have been so quick to look for foreign coaches if he had floundered. His success opened the floodgates and since he arrived at Arsenal in 1996, 47 managers from overseas have been appointed by top-flight clubs, compared to 120 British. That is a remarkable figure.
There is a case to argue that without Wenger, we might not have had Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez, Roberto Mancini or Carlo Ancelotti managing here.
Without Wenger, we might never have been dazzled by Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Robert Pires, and so many other brilliant players who have enhanced our game.
Wenger was responsible for some of the most harrowing and unnerving days of my career.
Arsenal conquered all before them from 2002-2004, culminating in them being called the Invincibles after going unbeaten for a whole season. Outstanding  footballers and also supreme  athletes — they had everything. When you stood next to them in the tunnel before a game, the panic would roll in.
They were the best I ever faced, the only team that left me feeling technically and physically inadequate. From goalkeeper to striker, they were built like tanks. If you tried to tackle them, you would bounce off them. 
Arsenal were the first team to start using creatine — a supplement to help increase strength and power and aid muscle recovery — and we used to hear how they had changed their diets and took the right vitamins. You couldn’t outmuscle Wenger’s sides, nor could you outplay them.
Playing right back against that Arsenal team was the most difficult job in football at that time. Henry, Ashley Cole and Pires would terrorise you from the left flank, moving the ball at dizzying speeds. So quick was their movement, you didn’t have time to think. It was an awful feeling.
Wenger’s reputation was at its highest then. Having won the Premier League twice, as well as two FA Cups and a pair of Community Shields in a three-year period, you would have been laughed out of town had you suggested he would add only one more prize in the next nine seasons.
Arsenal have fallen away because of the huge amount of money at the disposal of Manchester City and Chelsea. Other sides have copied Wenger in buying young players from abroad.

The foreign legion: Managers such as Roberto Mancini (left) and Rafa Benitez (right) followed Wenger's route into the Premier League after building their reputation abroad

Conquerors: Wenger built a team of stars like Robert Pires (right) and Patrick Vieira, who dominated between 2002 and 2004. Thierry Henry (below) spearheaded the Frenchman's attack to devastating effect 

'You couldn’t outmuscle Wenger’s sides, nor could you outplay them. Playing right back against that Arsenal team was the most difficult job in football'
 

On Friday, there was vocal support from majority shareholder Stan Kroenke, but his praise of Wenger should be saved until after Christmas. It’s too early to judge Arsenal, even if they are the League leaders on Saturday morning.
Do not doubt that they still have a lot to prove and the most accurate gauge of their potential will be when they lock horns with Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea. One victory over Tottenham — the only side of substance they have faced — is not enough.
Arsene should not have a job for life just because of who he is. He wouldn’t expect it to be that way. He phased out Pires and Dennis Bergkamp, remember, when they stopped hitting their numbers.
The run of qualifying for the Champions League for the past 16 years has been impressive but why haven’t they been able to add a League Cup or an FA Cup while they have been finishing in the top four? It has not been good enough.

Struggle: Jamie Carragher (left) trails Henry as the Frenchman clips home his hat-trick goal back in 2004

The inevitable result has been  discontent in the stands. I’m sure some Arsenal supporters are fed up with hearing people saying ‘Wenger has done this and that’ — they know their club better than anyone and if they want him to go, fair enough.
Those who are frustrated could easily turn on him again — do not forget the angry scenes after they lost to Aston Villa on the opening day, prompting a fans’ group to express their ‘deep concerns’.
I was also very critical of Arsenal. It appeared nothing had changed. They looked weak. 
The arrival of Mesut Ozil,  however, coupled with progress in the Champions League, has been revitalising. Ozil was the only  top-class player who arrived here during the last window and he has helped make Arsenal the most impressive team in the opening weeks, though things are going to become trickier now, given they have assignments against Swansea and Napoli to negotiate.

Revitalised: Summer signing Mesut Ozil (left) chats to Pires during Friday's training session

Cover needed: Arsenal may struggle if goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny or Olivier Giroud (left) pick up an injury

Certain areas of the squad must be addressed. They will be in trouble if Olivier Giroud picks up an injury, while surely they should bid for either Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas or Victor Valdes of Barcelona in January to secure the quality goalkeeper they need.
I would expect them to finish in the top four again but I would like to see Wenger go for it in January and bring in more quality, so they can really challenge. 
We should want him to stay, so we can see more of the great  football Arsenal play and the players he always produces.
We should all be rooting for  Arsenal this season. Wenger needs another glorious moment and we should all wish him well. English football owes him.

Tough break: Arsenal now turn their attentions to Swansea before bidding to stop Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Starlet Berahino piles more misery on Moyes.

Manchester United slumped to their third Barclays Premier League defeat of the season as West Brom recorded a first win at Old Trafford since 1978.
Goals from Morgan Amalfitano and Saido Berahino either side of the interval proved enough for the delirious Baggies despite Wayne Rooney netting for the fifth time in as many games.
Not even the second-half introductions of Robin van Persie and Marouane Fellaini could swing the contest back in United's favour as they lost 2-1.

Wonderkid: Saido Berahino celebrates scoring West Brom's second goal against Manchester United

Shocker: West Brom run off to celebrate with Berahino after his 67th -minute winner

Fellaini did think he had equalised when he poked home Nani's low cross five minutes from time but the effort was ruled out for offside.
The result, at the start of what was supposed to be an easy run of fixtures, is a shattering blow to new manager David Moyes, whose team have now slipped six points off the pace in the early stages of the title race.
More importantly, United have now lost half their league matches and find themselves firmly in mid-table, with the faith the club's supporters vowed to have in their new manager already starting to fray judging by the boos that accompanied the final whistle.
There could hardly have been a greater contrast between the drab fare served up in the first-half and the 10-goal thriller between the sides that served as a fitting epitaph to Sir Alex Ferguson's managerial career in May.
Whereas the spectacular show at The Hawthorns had supporters on the edge of their seats, this soporific show had them slumped.
United were on top, as expected.
But their efforts were sporadic.
Rooney, who retained the captain's armband, had one header saved by Boaz Myhill and sent another soaring over the bar.
Shinji Kagawa's scheming presented a chance for Alex Buttner, but his scuffed shot was blocked.

Can't believe it: Rooney looks on with shock as United drop out of the top ten in the Premier League

Toppled: Manchester United's players including goalkeeper David De Gea stand dejected

Shock: Morgan Amalfitano celebrates scoring West Brom's opener at Old Trafford

The nearest United came was when Kagawa countered after some intelligent hold-up play from Javier Hernandez, cut inside Gareth McAuley, then picked out Anderson with an excellent cross.
It did seem an offside flag had been raised against the Brazilian.
If so, it was a bad decision. Not that it mattered in the end as the midfielder's diving header crashed back off the bar before he hooked a volley over.
Yet, for all their dominance of possession, United still lived dangerously at the other end.
Substitute Berahino flicked a header just wide from Amalfitano's cross. He then fired an effort straight at David de Gea in the last dregs of the opening period when really he should have done much better.
Moyes cannot have been that impressed as when his side re-appeared after the interval, Kagawa had been replaced by 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj. The teenager had no time to make an impact before the visitors seized the initiative.
Large question marks hung over the United defence as West Brom celebrated their goal though. For, after nicking possession in front of the dug-outs on halfway, Amalfitano was allowed to stride directly towards goal, brushing off a couple of half-hearted attempts to stop him.
Faced with only De Gea to beat, the Frenchman showed admirable composure, lifting his shot over the goalkeeper and in. Moyes immediately called Van Persie off the bench. But before the Dutchman could be introduced, Rooney had levelled.

Off the band: Wayne Rooney rises above the West Brom defence to aim a header at goal

Tussle: United's Nani (left) attempts to hold off the challenge of West Brom defender Liam Ridgewell

In action: United playmaker Shinji Kagawa (left) tries to get past Gareth McAuley

Yet again it was a free-kick. This time from about 25 yards, which the in-form England forward curled expertly home.
It was Rooney's fifth goal in as many games and with Van Persie ushered on a few minutes later, Old Trafford expected a routine end to proceedings. The game did not pan out that way though. Sensing their opponents are not the force of old, West Brom went hunting more.
And after a couple of close calls - including an Olsson header that hit the underside of the crossbar - they duly went ahead again as Amalfitano laid a superb pass into the path of Berahino, who found the bottom corner.

Strike a pose: Anderson twists his body to have a shot at goal

Forward men: Rooney celebrates his equaliser with Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and Alex Buttner

As Moyes had already introduced Fellaini, there was no more he could do other than hope for a change in fortune. It did not arrive.
Rather than one of those stirring comebacks this ground had seen so many of, West Brom actually held their own. Indeed, Stephane Sessegnon nearly made the damage even worse, only to slice his shot when glory beckoned.
Fellaini had a goal ruled out for offside before Rooney's late free-kick was punched clear by Myhill and Januzaj flashed an injury-time effort wide.

Warrior: Baggies defender Jonas Olsson (centre) kneels as he is treated for a head injury

Guess who? Marouane Fellaini can't watch from the substitutes bench at Old Trafford

Hosts enjoy vital win in feisty encounter with rivals.

Martyn Woolford and Scott Malone's second-half efforts were enough to give Millwall victory over bitter rivals Leeds United at the New Den.
Woolford struck after 65 minutes and Malone 11 minutes later to give the Lions their third successive Championship victory and condemn Leeds to their third league loss in as many games.
In a typically feisty atmosphere, Rodolph Austin broke forward from midfield in the second minute and fired a long-range effort that went just wide of David Forde's goal.

Winning moment: Scott Malone's goal for Millwall sent both the players and fans wild

After that the first 15 minutes were scrappy and tight, both sides exchanging possession but not creating any real clear-cut chances.
That was until Stephen Warnock was shown an 18th minute yellow card for a cynical foul on Woolford as the Lions broke forward.
On 25 minutes, Alex Mowatt received Michael Tonge's chipped through-ball as he darted into the area and attempted a hooked shot but his effort was collected by Forde.
Millwall's first real chance saw Martyn Waghorn hit the post with a 29th-minute shot after darting into the box and Woolford rifled the rebound high and wide.
Three minutes later, Waghorn's left-wing corner found Danny Shittu who headed his effort wide of Paddy Kenny's goal.
Luke Murphy, a summer signing from Crewe, replied for the Whites with a driven long-range effort in the 37th minute but his shot rose comfortably over the bar.
Another ex-Crewe man, Luke Varney then attempted an ambitious overhead kick a few minutes later but his effort was also off-target.

Battle: Millwall's Jermaine Easter (left) and Leeds' Alex Mowatt fight it out in the midfield

Millwall had a penalty appeal turned down just before the break by Chris Foy after Malone darted into the box and was adjudged to have been tackled cleanly by Austin.
In first-half stoppage-time, Jason Pearce found himself under pressure in the Millwall box and launched a close-range effort into the stands.
After the break, Liam Trotter tried his luck from range like many others did but his shot was as wayward as several before him.
Ross McCormack should have given Leeds a 48th-minute lead but he failed to connect properly with Mowatt's teasing left-wing cross.

Losing: Leeds' boss Brian McDermott gesticulates as his team went down to defeat

The Lions opened the scoring just after the hour when Woolford received the ball on the edge of the area and guided his shot past a diving Kenny.
As Leeds searched for an equaliser, Brian McDermott threw on Sam Byram and Matt Smith as the Yorkshire club went more attacking.
But Malone put the tie to bed with a cool 76th-minute strike after exchanging passes well with Liam Trotter.
The home side nearly had a third three minutes later when Waghorn forced a good save from Kenny and the rebound was just missed by Woolford.

Cruncher: Ross McCormack evades the tackle of Alan Dunne

And with the resulting punt up field, Malone deflected the ball past his goalkeeper and rushed back to make amends with a goal-line clearance.
Millwall again nearly added a third through Woolford with four minutes left after his chip over an onrushing Kenny hit the post.
But Steve Lomas' men ran the clock down to register their 600th victory in second-tier football.

Joking around: Malone gives his team-mates something to laugh about after scoring the second

Weimann winner completes stunning comeback.

Leandro Bacuna and Andreas Weimann struck in the space of two second-half minutes as Aston Villa claimed a stunning 3-2 win over Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League.
The hosts had twice trailed after goals from Yaya Toure and Edin Dzeko either side of a Karim El Ahamdi equaliser in a compelling encounter at Villa Park.
However, Bacuna levelled with a fine free-kick after 73 minutes and Weimann added another as Villa, after being outplayed in the first half, turned the game around.

Salute: Andreas Weimann celebrates after scoring the winner for Aston Villa against Manchester City

Such an outcome had seemed unlikely at half-time after City had overrun Villa without really hitting top gear.
Even though they did not play with the intensity of last weekend's stunning win over Manchester United, City were troubled so little by Paul Lambert's men.
The second half proved a different story and City, who had been close to full strength, aside from missing striker Sergio Aguero, suffered another awayday nightmare after losing at Cardiff last month.
It was also not the ideal preparation for Wednesday's glamour tie against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
City dominated the first half and created a succession of chances against a side missing the spark of striker Christian Benteke, who missed the game through injury.
The first chance came in the opening moments as Aleksandar Kolarov burst down the left but James Milner, against his former club, shot well wide from his cross.
Dzeko shot at Brad Guzan after being put in by Samir Nasri, who then had a good effort of his own deflected wide from 18 yards after he was released by Toure.
Dzeko blazed over after a charge from deep by Fernandinho before Alvaro Negredo was denied the chance to shoot in a goalmouth scramble and Kolarov put wide.

Opener: Yaya Toure squeezed home the first goal for Manchester City as they took the lead at Villa Park

Villa had been limited to half-chances with Bacuna twice shooting over from distance and El Ahmadi missing the target from a free-kick.
City upped the tempo in the closing minutes of the first half and Villa breathed a sigh of relief as Ciaran Clark turned a wicked cross from Kolarov over his own bar.
Toure then seemed to take it upon himself to wrest control of the game, having an effort from a corner cleared off the line by Libor Kozak.
The inspirational City midfielder then charged forward, only to have a powerful drive deflected inches wide by Nathan Baker.
The Ivorian's persistence paid off in the final minute of the half as a Nasri corner reached him in front of goal and he diverted in his sixth of the season from eight yards.
City were expected to build on that lead and Negredo almost pounced on a poor backpass from Yacouba Sylla but Guzan was quick off his line to clear.

Unhappy: Samir Nasri tries to remonstrate with officials at half time but his held back by his team-mates

Come with me: Vincent Kompany leads Nasri away from the referee Michael Jones

Level: Karim El Ahmadi shoots past Joe Hart to equalise for Aston Villa

City were stunned as Villa equalised on 51 minutes, Bacuna cleverly flicking a pass through for El Ahmadi and the Moroccan firing across Joe Hart.
Replays suggested he had been offside but City's complaints fell on deaf ears.
City responded well and went back ahead within five minutes from another corner, this time Dzeko meeting a Nasri cross with a superb glancing header at the near post.
Again City should have gone on to take control, and it seemed they would as they controlled possession.
But the visitors switched off as Weimann ran at their defence and was brought down by Matija Nastasic outside the area.

Back in front: Edin Dzeko nodded Manchester City ahead for the second time

Bacuna stepped up and brilliantly curled a shot into Hart's top-left corner.
City were still reeling from that when they conceded again two minutes later.
Weimann again raced clear, this time from a long punt upfield from Guzan. Hart rushed out to meet the Austrian but a strong touch took the ball past the goalkeeper and another was not needed as the ball rolled into the net, despite Nastasic's desperate attempts to clear.
City pushed forward in hope of salvaging something from another chastening awayday, and a slick passing move saw Toure tee up Stevan Jovetic - but the substitute's first shot was blocked and his follow-up saved.
City had a last chance from an injury-time corner but Kolarov headed wide.

Level again: Manchester City keeper Joe Hart can only watch as Leandro Bacuna (not pictured) scores

Cheers boss: Bacuna celebrates after scoring with Aston Villa's manager Paul Lambert

Terry cancels out Sigurdsson opener before Torres sees red.

ohn Terry's second-half header prevented Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas from claiming victory over Chelsea in a hot-tempered grudge match against former mentor Jose Mourinho.
The pre-match fireworks between the two managers had given an extra edge to what was already one of the most hotly-contested derbies in English football, and for the most part the game lived up to its billing.
Tottenham dominated the first half and took the lead through Gylfi Sigurdsson, but Terry - one of the personalities with whom Villas-Boas clashed at Chelsea - gatecrashed the Spurs boss' party to leave the score at 1-1.
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Leveller: John Terry celebrates after heading home the equalising goal to earn Chelsea a share of the sp

Tempers often frayed during the match. Fernando Torres was sent off for two bookings - the last of which was a questionable one in which he was penalised for throwing an elbow at Jan Vertonghen when replays showed there was no contact.
The Spaniard could have been given a straight red in the first half for scratching the defender's face.
Mourinho later claimed referee Mike Dean changed the course of the game with his decision.
'The referee made a mistake,' he said. 'A big mistake that made the big difference in the result. The referee tried to do his best and made a huge mistake.
'I think the player (Vertonghen) is guilty. If nobody touches me and I fall it is not your fault, it is my fault.
'English players don’t normally do that. He pretends that there was contact on him. It makes the second yellow card. From that time we were in big trouble. It leaves a bad taste because we should have won. We got a point but that doesn’t leave us where we want to be.'
His opposite number was less committed in his response.
Villas Boas said: 'It’s a big decision for the referee. I haven’t seen it, but the referee makes the decision because both players go for the ball and he decides that Fernando Torres went over the top.'

Head boy: Terry nodded in Juan Mata's free kick to cancel out Gylfi Sigurdsson's opener for Tottenham

Villas-Boas and Mourinho had been practically inseparable for seven years, but the Spurs boss made it clear in the run up to the derby that he and his compatriot are no longer friends.
The two shared the weakest of handshakes before the game, and during the contest, it looked as though the master would be beaten by his old apprentice.
As Villas-Boas takes his ride around the M25 to Gatwick airport to catch his flight to Porto on Saturday night, he will be kicking himself about the result.
His Tottenham team had the upper hand over Chelsea for the majority of the first half and they could have had three or four by the break.

Opener: Gylfi Sigurdsson slides home the first goal of the game as Tottenham take the lead over Chelsea

MOUSSA DEMBELE COVERED PLENTY OF GROUND IN THE TOTTENHAM MIDFIELD

But Terry's goal, which came from a Juan Mata free-kick, means he will have to wait until March before he gets another chance to defeat Mourinho again.
Despite the booming noise of the pumped-up crowd, the opening few minutes were a tight affair.
Christian Eriksen almost created an opening with a free-kick, but Petr Cech had nothing to do until he was picking the ball out of the net.
Eriksen started the move, playing a flat ball across the box to Roberto Soldado who nudged the ball in to Sigurdsson's path.

Main man: Sigurdsson peels away to celebrate with team-mates after opening the scoring at White Hart Lane

Sigurdsson, so often Spurs' unsung hero, still had lots to do. He was off balance after taking an extra stride to beat Terry's outstretched leg, but he somehow managed to roll the ball into the net to the goalkeeper's right.
Villas-Boas savoured the moment with a double-fist pump while his opposite number was sullen and motionless.
The home crowd took great pleasure in taunting Mourinho, singing: "You're not special anymore."
Mourinho's team certainly did not look anything special. Tottenham were in complete control and it seemed certain they would double their lead before the break.
The brilliant Andros Townsend found Soldado on the right. The Spaniard spied Paulinho at the back post, but luckily for Chelsea, Branislav Ivanovic came to the rescue. 
Chelsea started to improve slightly and Tottenham's nerves started jangling.
Eden Hazard robbed Kyle Walker on the edge of his own box, but Vertonghen got in the way to deflect his compatriot's shot wide.
Tempers frayed momentarily when Tottenham assistant Steffen Freund confronted fourth official Roger East after becoming annoyed about Mike Dean's officiating.
Townsend blotted his copy book by receiving a booking for diving while Eriksen entered the book for a petulant pull of Oscar's shirt.
Paulinho almost gave Spurs a second when he hit the woodwork just before half-time. That was Mourinho's cue to leave. He walked down the tunnel a minute before the half-time whistle. He had seen enough. 

Brief: Tottenham manager Andre Villas Boas (right) and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho shake hands

Whatever Mourinho said to his team at half-time, it had an effect. The Blues, now with Mata on the pitch, started the second half well.
Torres cracked a low ball across the box, but it was just a touch too heavy for Oscar.
Lloris pulled off a top save to deny Torres, but moments later the Spaniard let himself down by appearing to scratch Vertonghen's face.
Torres, annoyed at what he thought was a dive from the Belgian, grabbed hold of the defender's face and dug his nails in to his skin.
Dean opted to book the striker.

On the attack: Andros Townsend darts between Ashley Cole (left) and Oscar at White Hart Lane

The temperature reached boiling point again soon after when Ivanovic was booked for dissent. Vertonghen had another spat with Torres and the Belgian lost his cool moments later with a dangerous tackle on Ramires that caused Mourinho to spring from the bench and remonstrate with Dean from the touchline.
Spurs then paid dearly for Vertonghen's lapse in concentration from the resulting free-kick.
Mata put a high swirling ball in to the box, Vertonghen lost Terry for a second and he headed beyond Lloris before sprinting over to the ecstatic visiting fans.
Mourinho joined in the celebrations from the bench, but they were slightly restrained.

Friends again? Mourinho and Villas-Boas embrace following the draw between the two London sides

Torres then received a second booking. The Spaniard jumped with Vertonghen and the centre-back went down clutching his face. There was no contact between Torres' arm and Vertonghen's face, but Dean sent the Spaniard off.
The sending-off gave Spurs more momentum. Jermain Defoe and Sigurdsson almost snatched victory.
Villas-Boas and Mourinho shared a handshake at the end while Terry celebrated in front of his own fans.