Arsenal could be set for imminent Premier League title boost as Man City learn true fate this week

Fate has aligned itself. Eight years later, on the exact day Chelsea spoiled Tottenham's Premier League title challenge under Mauricio Pochettino, the two sides meet again.

The Battle of the Bridge, as it has since been dubbed due to its fiery nature, 29 fouls, and 12 yellow cards — nine for Spurs — is a classic of recent times. It featured a relative underdog, though not the ultimate underdog, as that was understandably Leicester City, the reigning champions, some meaty tackles, plenty of drama, a comeback, and a late goal.

On any normal day, it would have been enough to be remembered for years regardless. That it meant Tottenham couldn't win the league, handing Claudio Ranieri the most unexpected title in recent history, was simply a bonus to get the atmosphere cranked up that bit more.

«I remember it really well,» Mauricio Pochettino reflected before the latest installment of Chelsea vs Tottenham. «My memory is good. It was a really tough game, a difficult night. We needed to win and Chelsea were an experienced team. I remember they had [Cesc] Fabregas, [Eden] Hazard – what a team, no?

»They were not doing a fantastic season but in that one game, they competed well because they knew how to compete. It was a battle because we wanted to win and we were very competitive.

«Sometimes we crossed the line and it was a really difficult moment but it shows you how competitive we were with Tottenham and that is why a few years after we were in the final of the Champions League because we were a very competitive team.»

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This time around, the stakes are