Juan Mata's superb second-half brace helped Chelsea overcome the absence of suspended captain John Terry and strengthen their grip at the top of the Premier League in a six-goal thriller against Tottenham.
It turned into an unhappy reunion with his former club for Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, who was unceremoniously axed by the Blues back in March, as the hosts hit back from going a goal down to lead early in the second period, only to eventually succumb 4-2.
Gary Cahill, called into the side as Terry served the first game of his four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, produced a sweet volley to give his side the lead in the 17th minute.
William Gallas could only head a Chelsea corner out to the edge of his own box which Cahill lashed home first time beyond Brad Friedel, with the ball taking a slight deflection off Steven Caulker before finding the back of the net.
But Gallas made amends immediately at the start of the second half as he turned the ball home from virtually on the goalline after Jan Vertonghen did superbly to put Tom Huddlestone's free-kick to the far post back across the face of goal.
It was the first time Chelsea had conceded a second half goal in a Premier League game this season, and they were soon breached again as Jermain Defoe reacted superbly to drill a first-time effort beyond Petr Cech after Aaron Lennon's scuffed cross-shot.
The enthralling contest continued to ebb and flow, with Mata finding the bottom corner of Friedel's net with unerring accuracy from the edge of the box after another poor clearance from Gallas following Oscar's low cross.
And Chelsea were back in front in the 66th minute as a flowing passing move started by Mata and involving John Obi Mikel and Eden Hazard ended with the Spain international grabbing his second of the game with Friedel again helpless.
Kyle Walker forced Cech into a superb save as time ran down, before lapsing in defence and allowing Mata a free run into the box where he squared for substitute Daniel Sturridge to slot home.
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