Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0: Carvalho exploits Tottenham fatigue

The good citizens of Portsmouth should perhaps be thankful that Sir Alex Ferguson's focus was, no doubt, elsewhere around lunchtime yesterday. Had he witnessed this the Manchester United manager's countenance would have increasingly turned to an unhealthy shade of claret.

Having voiced his disapproval at the time of this kick-off, 39 hours after Tottenham's Uefa Cup semi-final defeat in Seville, he would have watched the Premiership's third-best form team in recent matches, provide the Chelsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech, with an examination more GCSE than A level.

Until the final moments, Spurs contrived to produce no more than two saves worthy of the Czech goalkeeper's status, while, at the other end, Cech's England counterpart conceded the kind of goal that will not count among Paul Robinson's finer moments, although Spurs' assistant manager Chris Hughton, representing Martin Jol, who was not feeling well, preferred to "give credit to the Portuguese's wonderful strike".

Other than a somewhat nervous final 10 minutes, Ricardo Carvalho's 52nd-minute strike always appeared liable to yield the hosts the victory they required to maintain their pursuit of Ferguson's side. It was a triumph that acquired even greater significance with United's subsequent defeat by Pompey reducing the deficit to three points.

Chelsea had refused Tottenham's request to move the game to today because of their own travel plans ahead of their Champions' League return leg against Valencia on Tuesday night.

Mourinho responded to Ferguson's pre-match remarks with the words: "You cannot be a great manager and not be intelligent. He is intelligent, and maybe thinks others are stupid. But they are not." The Chelsea manager pointed out that kick-off times had previously benefited United. "They are very lucky with fixtures," he said. "They always play after us - except today."

Jol changed half his outfield starting team from Thursday. The key striker Dimitar Berbatov was on the bench. Robbie Keane and Aaron Lennon could not even find a place there. Up front, it was left to Jermain Defoe and Mido to ferret forlornly for the elusive goal. Mourinho also rested personnel, and he delayed the introduction of Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko until the final 20 minutes. However, Hughton agreed after Tottenham's largely insipid display: "There was no doubt it [the lack of recovery time] had an effect."

Chelsea have been relentless in their chase of the League leaders in recent weeks. But Mourinho maintained that rather than fret in front of the TV later, watching Manchester United's progress at Fratton Park, he would "go for a walk, spent time with my family". He shrugged. "Maybe I will watch the second half..."

On Tuesday, Chelsea must redeem themselves at Valencia after Wednesday night's 1-1 draw. They then bid for a Wembley FA Cup final place against Blackburn on Sunday. If the Blues fail to make the Champions' League semi-finals Mourinho says he will be content to take his children to the wrestling at Earl's Court instead.

Spurs presented virtually no threat in a first half of Chelsea supremacy. Shaun Wright-Phillips' early enterprise and tantalising centres just failed to find Didier Drogba and John Terry before the diminutive midfielder skilfully manoeuvred himself into a shooting position, only to cut the ball wide.

Passions were aroused when Mourinho leapt to his feet after Mido had barged into Terry. The Egyptian escaped without caution. The incident, though, led to Chelsea's best opportunity. From Carvalho's free-kick, Drogba headed down for Frank Lampard, but his volley was deflected wide by Michael Dawson.

It was not until after the interval that Tottenham fashioned an opportunity. Hossam Ghaly headed to Mido, but his header was splendidly saved by Cech. Chelsea responded with the winner. Lampard and John Obi Mikel set up Carvalho. The centre-back was offered too much space but only Robinson will understand how his raking 35-yard drive eluded him. However, the England man atoned when he thwarted Salomon Kalou and Drogba.

Jol threw on Berbatov for the final 20 minutes, and Cech had to be at his most agile to deny the Bulgarian striker, Defoe and substitute Adel Taarabt. At the final whistle, Jol and Mourinho briefly hugged. At the start of this, his longest week, the Portuguese still believes his team can embrace that title yet again.