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Robbie Keane's stunning 88th minute strike dented Chelsea's title-winning charge as the Blues relinquished a two-goal lead to draw 4-4 at White Hart Lane.

Avram Grant's side were in command throughout the course of the game and looked as if they were cruising to their fourth successive league win after Joe Cole had struck the first of his brace to put the Blues 3-1 ahead with 15 minutes remaining.

However, Spurs refused to surrender and put a smile on the faces of arch-rivals Arsenal as goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Tom Huddlestone brought Juande Ramos' men level before Keane spectacularly cancelled out Cole's second of the night late-on.

Berbatov could have snatched all three points for Tottenham with the last kick of the game but Carlo Cudicini pulled off a stunning save to keep the sides level and end a scintillating night in the capital.

Fabio Capello was in the stands to watch his England players distinguish themselves in a typically hectic London derby and saw potential captain John Terry set up the opener in the third minute.

Powerful header

Drogba's free-kick from 25 yards was blocked but the striker then made his way towards the far post. Claude Makelele found Terry on the left and his cross invited a powerful header from Drogba.

It could have been worse for Spurs three minutes later when Drogba turned on the edge of the area and forced a save from Paul Robinson; Joe Cole finished neatly but was ruled offside.

Spurs equalised on 11 minutes when Jermaine Jenas swung over a cross from the right and Jonathan Woodgate, unlike his ricocheted Wembley winner, thudded home his header.

England midfielder Cole, full of invention and energy, created the goal that put Chelsea back in front, in the 20th minute. He weaved his way through the Spurs defence then slipped through Michael Essien, who chipped over Robinson as the goalkeeper rushed out.

The game was already at a frantic pace but the intensity heightened with a series of contentious decisions before the break.

The conduct of players has been highlighted this week through a new Football Association initiative, with hopes of more respect for officials.

Joe Cole, however, picked up a yellow card for dissent towards the assistant when a decision did not go his way.

Furious

The Spurs bench were then furious when Jenas appeared to be fouled by Frank Lampard. Play was allowed to continue and Robinson was forced into action when Drogba drilled a shot from the edge of the area.

Spurs were raging again following Ashley Cole's high tackle on Alan Hutton, with Mike Riley issuing only a yellow card.

Joe Cole extended Chelsea's lead seven minutes into the second period. Makelele fed him the ball and Cole went outside Pascal Chimbonda before getting his shot away. Robinson got to the finish but the ball looped in.

Terry was needed at the other end to intercept a dangerous Steed Malbranque cross - but Berbatov pulled one back from the corner.

Huddlestone, on for Jenas at the break, delivered the set-piece and the Bulgarian outjumped Terry to head in.

Huddlestone levelled the match with 15 minutes remaining, drilling in powerfully after Keane's corner went to the far post.

Cole scored his second in the 80th minute, finding the top corner after getting past Chimbonda again - but Keane earned a point two minutes from time.

Picking up the ball on the edge of the area after the ball had hit Ricardo Carvalho on the back from a long clearance, he curled a delicious effort into the top corner.

Berbatov could so nearly have won it too, but his right-foot shot was brilliantly blocked by Cudicini as Chelsea were unable to exact revenge for their Carling Cup final defeat to Spurs last month.

Teams

Tottenham Hotspur  Robinson, Woodgate, King (Bent 68), Chimbonda, Hutton, Jenas (Huddlestone 46), Malbranque, Zokora, Lennon, Keane, Berbatov
Subs Not Used Cerny, Tainio, Dawson
Booked Keane, Huddlestone
Goals Woodgate 12, Berbatov 61, Huddlestone 75, Keane 88

Chelsea  Cudicini, A. Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Ferreira (Shevchenko 90), J. Cole (Ballack 82), Lampard, Essien, Makelele, Drogba, Kalou (Alex 71)
Subs Not Used  Hilario, Wright-Phillips
Booked  J. Cole, A. Cole
Goals  Drogba 3, Essien 20, J. Cole 52, 80

Attendance 36,178

Referee M. Riley