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John Terry was close to tears when receiving his Special Recognition award at the clubs' annual awards dinner at Stamford Bridge on Friday night in recognition of reaching 700 appearances for Chelsea this season. (see video below ).
The 35-year-old did not step up to give a speech at the awards, and as he revealed yesterday that he is mulling over a one-year extension at the club which involves a "different role" at the club
His current deal expires on June 30 and it is by no means certain Terry will extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.
He met Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia and chairman Bruce Buck on Wednesday, with the offer tabled.
At the awards ceremony, Terry was clearly moved as tributes were made by a host of ex-Chelsea players, while Frank Lampard, now with New York City, hailed his former team-mate in his own tribute sent from the United States as one of the all-time best English defenders.
"Seven hundred games, what an achievement," said Lampard.
"For me it goes down as the greatest record, appearance-wise, by a Chelsea player.
Show all 23 1 /23Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Begovic - 6 out of 10 Continued in goal with Courtois still out suspended, and despite conceding twice, will feel he put in a good shift although he perhaps could have done more to pressurise Kane before his goal.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Ivanovic - 4 out of 10 Began the match well, getting forward and helping out with attacks while defending solidly too. But he disappointed when he sloppily gave away the ball which led to Son scoring.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Cahill - 8 out of 10 Returned from illness to enjoy a superb game. The defender missed an early chance to score but made up for it when he netted in the 57th minute to get Chelsea back in the game. Was solid defensively too.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Terry - 5 out of 10 After being out for a lengthy amount of time with injury, the Chelsea captain returned to action a little sluggish, being caught out for both of Tottenham's goals.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Azpilicueta - 5 out of 10 Endured a few nervy moments up against the pace of Son and Walker when he came forward but used his pace in other instances too.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Mikel - 5 out of 10 Started off well, but disappointed when he did not prevent Eriksen from setting up Son for Spurs' second.
Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Matic - 5 out of 10 Put in a hardworking shift, but his lack of pace showed at times.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Willian - 6 out of 10 Was a nuisance for Tottenham's defence on several occasions and could have scored but blasted a chance well wide. Triggered off the melee just before the break when he squared up to Rose but another hardworking performance from the Brazilian.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Fabregas - 7 out of 10 Started in the No.10 role with Eden Hazard being dropped to the bench, and proved dangerous up front. Missed a great chance to get on the scoresheet but tamely drove Costa's pass wide.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Pedro - 5 out of 10 His pace gave Walker much work to deal with, but ultimately he didn't have the impact Hiddink would have wanted him to have. Replaced by Hazard at the break.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Diego Costa - 7 out of 10 Was sharp, patient and aggressive in his play and turned Spurs' defence inside out at times - providing the assist for Hazard's equaliser. Booked for clashing with Vertonghen.
Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Best off the bench: Hazard - 8 out of 10 Proved the difference after coming on for Pedro and scoring the all-important equaliser that ended Tottenham's hopes of winning the title.
Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Lloris - 6 out of 10 The Tottenham captain was never truly tested, with many of Chelsea's efforts coming from outside the box, and he couldn't do too much about Cahill's powerful effort that flew through a crowded penalty box.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Walker - 6 out of 10 Impressed when going forwards as he set up several chances from his position on the right flank, although he struggled at times to deal with Pedro's pace in the first half - which earned him a booking. He could also have had one earlier for a petulant kick on the Spaniard. Made a crucial last-ditch clearance to deny Chelsea.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Alderweireld - 4 out of 10 Was solid for much of the game and worked well alongside Vertonghen to frustrate Costa. But his low points came when he allowed Cahill to run free and score Chelsea's consolation goal before failing to prevent Oscar from setting up Hazard for the equaliser.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Vertonghen - 6 out of 10 Tread a fine line for much of the game with some of his defending, although it did earn him a yellow for pulling Costa's shirt. However, he did enough to keep the Chelsea striker at bay.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Rose - 5 out of 10 Like Walker, did well going forwards when Spurs attacked but did get caught out at times. Booked for a rash foul on Willian, which triggered off a touchline fight.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Dier - 6 out of 10 Started the game despite suffering concussion in Spurs' 1-1 draw with West Brom last week, and his inclusion paid off - with the midfielder starting the move that led to Kane's opener. However, he will feel disappointed not to have marked Cahill closer in the build-up to Chelsea's goal.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Dembele - 4 out of 10 Lucky to go unpunished after being seen appearing to eye-gouge Costa during the touchline fracas, but did well to link up defence with attack. However, he let himself down by failing to stop Hazard from running clear and equalising.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Lamela - 6 out of 10 This was another game in which the Argentine showed just why he has become such an important member of Tottenham's team. He was heavily involved in much of Spurs' play and was rewarded when he delivered the pass that Kane scored. Booked.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Eriksen - 6 out of 10 Was involved in the build-up to Kane's goal, and popped up in spaces throughout the game to help in attack.
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Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Son - 8 out of 10 Replaced the suspended Dele Alli and, despite wasting an early chance when he shot wide - much to Pochettino's anger on the touchline - he scored Tottenham's second in fine fashion. Brought off for Mason after 64 minutes.
Chelsea 2 Tottenham 2 player ratings Kane - 8 out of 10 Scored his 25th league goal in fine fashion after timing his run to perfection and dribbling past Begovic to hand Spurs the lead. Was then involved in the second goal. Another impressive performance from the striker.
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"No disrespect to Ron Harris, who has the numbers record, I think in an era today where athletically and what the body can take, to play 700 games.
"Not only that, but to play in a team where competition was great for so many years, a team at the top of the (Premier) League and fighting in the Champions League, his consistency levels have put him out ahead of every defender in the Premier League era.
"John is the greatest Premier League defender without a doubt and one of the greatest English defenders there has ever been."
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