FA Cup preview: Chelsea v. Tottenham Hotspur

Remember, remember the fifth of November?

Four months have passed since that fateful day at White Hart Lane – the day Tottenham finally lifted the hex Chelsea held over them since 1987. No more Three Point Lane taunts.

There are no points to play for in this game, just a place in the next round and an equally impressive record that Chelsea won’t want to lose: Spurs have not won at Stamford Bridge since a 1-2 top flight triumph on the 10th February 1990.

Jose Mourinho will not want to suffer the ignominy of losing both Chelsea’s unbeaten records against Spurs in the same season.

A defeat in this game would also be Mourinho’s first domestic home defeat as Chelsea manager.

The biggest decision facing Mourinho is whether to recall John Terry.

He said yesterday: “He is all clear. I want him to play and I think he is ready to play. John wants to play, he thinks he is ready to play.

“But this is the kind of decision I cannot make. It is up to the medical department to decide.”

Chelsea have no other injury worries, with Joe Cole the only long-term absentee.

Martin Jol will be without Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Ledley King, while Jermaine Jenas remains a doubt with a groin problem. Mido may return after having a cyst on his knee.

The last time Chelsea and Spurs met in the Cup was in the quarter-finals at White Hart Lane on 10th March 2002, when Eidur Gudjohnsen got a double, and William Gallas and Graeme Le Saux helped themselves to one each.

Chelsea went on to reach the final at the Millennium Stadium but lost 2-0 to Arsenal.

The Blues’ last Cup final success was the last final to be contested at the old Wembley when they beat Aston Villa 1-0 in 2000.

With the FA taking control of the new Wembley keys on Friday, Chelsea are aiming to be the first to lift the Cup at the revamped stadium on 19th May.