Bridge Banter - Chelsea must heed warning against complacency

The Blues are on the brink of joining a select band who have won the Champions League, Europa League and Cup Winners’ Cup.

Only Barcelona, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus have achieved the feat. Even Liverpool and Manchester United can’t claim the treble honour.

But Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Spurs at Stamford Bridge was a warning about complacency, and tiredness.

Until the Tottenham game, the Blues had merrily been playing midweek and weekends without apparent effect, and had still outrun opponents at the final whistle.

But the first signs of exhaustion were clear as Spurs galloped until the end, and Chelsea let their guard drop.

It had all looked steady at half-time, with the Blues leading 2-1 through Oscar and Ramires, with a breakaway reply from Emmanuel Adebayor.

Goalscorer: Ramires scored against Tottenham Hotspur, but it all comes down to Wednesday night in Amsterdam   SP73468

But when Tottenham sub Gylfi Sigurdsson levelled with 10 minutes remaining, Chelsea didn’t have enough in the tank to respond.

It leaves the three-way London fight for two Champions League places in the balance.

The Blues travel to Villa Park on Saturday, with Aston Villa fancying their chances against a weary, distracted Chelsea team.

Whether David Moyes bows out as Everton boss on the final day before taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, or sends an interim of his own to take charge at the Bridge, the Blues hope the Toffees will be equally addled by managerial drama.

For Rafa Benitez and the Blues fans, divorce is now days away. The Chelsea faithful made their feelings crystal clear when, with six minutes remaining of Wednesday night’s London derby, Mr Interim substituted Yossi Benayoun for Oscar.

“You don’t know what you’re doing,” they chanted at the man they’ll never warm to.

But they still hope he knows enough next week to defeat Benfica and lift the Europa trophy.