Strikerless Chelsea draw blank at Tottenham as Diego Costa stays on bench

Jose Mourinho dropped Diego Costa and the striker stayed on the bench as Chelsea drew 0-0 away at Tottenham Hotspur.

The troubled Premier League champions lined up with Eden Hazard as a false nine at White Hart Lane at the end of a week in which Mourinho had publicly criticised Costa's application and performance and threatened only infrequently in a match that fizzled out after a bright first half.

Tottenham tested Asmir Begovic through Heung-Min Son and Mousa Dembele in the opening 45 minutes, while Harry Kane almost continued his red-hot form with a deflected shot that the Bosnian did well to keep his body behind.

Hazard might have stolen three points for Chelsea with a sumptuous volley that forced a brilliant save from Hugo Lloris in a second half low on significant action but it was Costa's demeanour on the sidelines that attracted greater attention, with the Spain international appearing to throw his bib at Mourinho as he returned to his seat after a half-hearted warm-up.

The result moves Chelsea five points clear of the relegation zone, while Tottenham remain in fifth after going 13 league games unbeaten for the first time in the Premier League era.

Follow Joy Sports on Twitter: @Joy997FM. Our hashtag is #JoySports