The Blues still top the Premier League table after a terrific display at Stamford Bridge in midweek against Spurs… but their invincibility is less certain.

After a quarter of an hour of hesitancy in which Tottenham came close to scoring, with Harry Kane’s header hitting the bar, the Blues eventually got a grip on the game and finished comfortable 3-0 winners.

That followed an unconvincing display at Sunderland last weekend which produced a 0-0 draw.

The club remain unbeaten this season, but it suggests it’s only a matter of time before there’s a stumble.

Spurs came to the Bridge full of confidence and determined to harry Chelsea, but Eden Hazard’s 19th-minute goal deflated the visitors, and Didier Drogba’s strike three minutes later went even further.

Loic Remy, on as a sub, added the third.

On show, quite apart from another excellent performance of close passing, neat triangles, inspired long balls and gutsy chasing, was a touchline coaching masterclass from Jose Mourinho.

Archive: Bridge Banter through the ages

He chivvied and urged from the technical area, determined not to let any further points slip away as, 275 miles away, Manchester City’s dogged pursuit was continuing with a 4-1 win at the stadium Chelsea had drawn at four days earlier.

Jose and his inner circle are shrewd planners, ensuring every variable they can influence is fully covered.

When Nemanja Matic collected his fifth yellow in the 50th minute, for pulling an opponent back, Jose knew he had to act to maintain at least 50 per cent of his crucial Matic/Fabregas partnership ahead of the back four for the next game.

With Cesc currently on four yellows, the Blues boss swiftly subbed the former Arsenal midfielder for Jon Obi Mikel.

It gave Mikel some useful competitive pitch time ahead of Chelsea’s lunchtime trip to Newcastle on Saturday, when he will deputise for Matic.

The Blues dislike early kick-offs in Geordieland, but Diego Costa is back after a one-match ban.