Title hopefuls Tottenham and Chelsea had to settle for a point apiece in a fiercely contested London derby.

Spurs started brightly and took the lead when Emmanuel Adebayor beat Petr Cech to Gareth Bale’s driven cross.

Chelsea improved quickly and levelled when Daniel Sturridge turned in Ashley Cole’s low cross from close range.

Didier Drogba hit the post and Ramires headed wide for the Blues, while Spurs almost snatched victory when John Terry hacked Adebayor’s goalbound shot clear.

Despite a double-injury blow for Chelsea in the first half — losing both Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel — Tottenham lacked the fluency to produce a winner against the makeshift visitors.

Spurs made some late pressure and were denied by Petr Czech’s smart save after Sandro’s shot took a wicked deflection and almost gave Tottenham a late winner.

The result means Spurs stay in third place in the Premier League, two points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea.

Chelsea’s second successive draw left them just a point above fifth-place Arsenal and 11 points behind leaders Manchester City.