Inspired by Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea relish thwarting Tottenham

Chelsea battled back from a two-goal deficit against Tottenham Hotspur to dramatically level a game that looked beyond them at half-time.
Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min struck for Spurs just before the break as the visitors carved open a nervy Blues backline, and there looked to be no way back for the home side -- but Guus Hiddink had an ace up his sleeve in the form of substitute Eden Hazard.
In an intense and often tempestuous game that featured 12 yellow cards and several other flashpoints, the Belgian transformed the game with a performance redolent of last season when he was the leading light of the Premier League.
With Hazard at his best, Chelsea pressed forward. Gary Cahill pulled one back from a Willian corner before Hazard left the best until last with a wonder-strike that ended Spurs' hopes of keeping the title race alive.
"This one's for Claudio" chanted jubilant Chelsea supporters in deference to former Blues manager Claudio Ranieri, whose Leicester City side were confirmed as champions with this result.
Glorious unpredictability has come in many guises for Chelsea in recent years but seldom, if ever, has a draw (2-2) been celebrated so vigorously by players and fans alike.

Player Ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Asmir Begovic, 8 -- Continuing for the suspended Thibaut Courtois, Begovic was blameless for both Tottenham goals and pulled off several outstanding saves to prevent the visitors from putting the game beyond reach. The pick came when he kept out a Ryan Mason effort with the score at 2-1.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 5 -- Switched to left-back in place of Baba Rahman, he was once again jittery at the back and allowed Son the run of the pitch as the South Korean put Spurs 2-0 up. Azpilicueta improved in the second half and got forward well as the home side took the game by the scruff of the neck.
DF Branislav Ivanovic, 6 -- He justified his inclusion at right-back with a committed performance that drew on reserves of big-game experience. He still managed to give home supporters the shivers when facing Christian Eriksen one-on-one but fortune favoured the Serb as Spurs failed to capitalise on his lack of pace and awareness.
DF Gary Cahill, 7 -- The pick of Chelsea's backline, Cahill held his nerve in the first half when Spurs threatened to run away with the game and provided much-needed cohesion at the start of the second period. He was on point to make the most of a precise Willian corner and lashed home the Blues' comeback goal with aplomb.
DF John Terry, 5 -- Restored to Chelsea's lineup to bring characteristic do-or-die passion that has been lacking all too often when he has been missing. However, Terry had a troubled first half when his lack of pace and poor positioning were factors in both Spurs goals. The Blues captain was more robust in the second period and his leadership qualities came to the fore.

On the night their run as champions officially ended, Chelsea played a role in deciding this season's title race.

MF John Obi Mikel, 5 -- Similar to Terry, Mikel's experience, craft and guile were important to Chelsea, but the Nigeria international was also culpable of allowing Eriksen too much freedom in the buildup to both Spurs goals.
MF Nemanja Matic, 5 -- He was a steady if unspectacular performer in Chelsea's midfield engine room. He was able to break up Spurs' fluidity but didn't impose himself with sufficient authority to protect his own vulnerable backline.
MF Cesc Fabregas, 8 -- He pulled the strings in midfield and, despite attracting plenty of physical attention, was able to remain composed and rattle the more inexperienced players like Erik Lamela, who was booked for a nasty challenge on the Spaniard. Fabregas sparked off Hazard after the Belgium international was introduced.
MF Pedro, 5 -- He was largely ineffective in the opening period of the game and allowed himself to be bossed by Kyle Walker. He offered little as Spurs took control of the game and was replaced at half-time by Hazard.
MF Willian, 7 -- He lacked his usual vibrant zest in the opening half but more than made up for that later when he was a constant thorn in the visitors' side. Booked after a feisty incident with Danny Rose, he was also applauded for not giving an inch to the Spurs defender.
FW Diego Costa, 7 -- After a quite opening period, the gloves came off literally and figuratively and Costa was in the thick of things, leading Chelsea's line with aplomb and linking up superbly with Hazard to create the equaliser.
Substitutes:
MF Eden Hazard, 9 -- He replaced Pedro at half-time and turbo-charged Chelsea's revival, capping an energetic and committed 45-minute display with a sublime goal that immediately gained him absolution for a season of sins in the eyes of supporters.
MF Oscar, NR -- He replaced Matic in the 78th minute and gave Chelsea added impetus in forward areas.