My blood boiled over listening to the constant references to John Terry's absence from the Chelsea team on Sunday.

Sure he is an important cog in the champions' side, and I for one was glad to see he was not on the team sheet. But so is Ledley King vital to Spurs, as are Robbie Keane, Paul Robinson, Pascal Chimbonda, Jermaine Jenas and any others I have omitted.

Additionally, the extra few days rest could have proved useful to Spurs, after such a late return from Portugal early Friday morning.

Summing up: Hossam Ghaly didn't start the move from his own half, see the hesitantcy in three Chelsea defenders, chest the ball down, control it and then slot it past the best goalkeeper in the world because of his own skill. It was only  because Terry wasn't playing.

Jermain Defoe coasted past three Chelsea defenders, passed a fourth, then fed the ball in to Aaron Lennon, who prodded it forward for Dimitar Berbatov to turn and fire it home. Not through a brilliant move - oh no! It was only due to Terry's absence. I bet Claude Makalele was well chuffed his absence wasn't noticed at all!

How dare Spurs play well despite all the adversity - how dare they spoil all the pre-written platitudes that commentators seem to have!