William Gallas fired Chelsea three points closer to another Premiership title with a screamer in stoppage time.

Tottenham looked set to frustrate Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge until the French defender stormed forward in the dying minutes.

Gallas cut in from the left past Paul Stalteri and Jermaine Jenas before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top corner.

Paul Robinson, who had made a spectacular save just minutes earlier to deny Didier Drogba, was helpless.

The match appeared to be heading for a draw, with Michael Essien breaking the deadlock with his first goal for Chelsea before Jenas levelled on the stroke of half-time.

The winner from Gallas means the Blues now need just five more wins from nine games to secure back-to-back titles.

And Tottenham's miserable run against their London rivals continues. They have not beaten Chelsea in the league in 32 attempts, spanning 16 years.

Chelsea paid tribute to Peter Osgood before the first home game since the sudden death of their legendary striker.

Osgood's family and former team-mates were at the match as the fans paid their tributes with a minute's applause.

The man known as the "King of Stamford Bridge" would have approved when Essien gave the Blues the lead in the 14th minute with a clinical side-footer.

Michael Carrick had put the Spurs defence under pressure with a sloppy pass to Lee Young-Pyo, which allowed Shaun Wright-Phillips to nip in to steal the ball.

Wright-Phillips, making only his eighth Premiership start of the season, sped into the box and cut a low cross into Essien's path. The Ghanaian midfielder made no mistake, tucking a right-footer inside the far post to put Chelsea ahead.

Essien should have scored four minutes earlier when he blasted wide with the goal at his mercy. Wright-Phillips dashed onto a long punt from Petr Cech and unleashed a low shot which was parried by Robinson. The rebound made its way to Essien, who had the entire goal to aim for with Robinson out of position, but blazed wide from 12 yards.

Martin Jol's Spurs had shown early ambition but Chelsea seized control after Essien's opener.

Robert Huth, starting a rare game, gave Robinson problems with a drive from 35-yards. No-one closed the defender down as he ran forward, so he put his head down and went for goal.

The shot appeared to be heading straight into Robinson's arms but then swerved viciously, hit him on the shoulder and bounced to safety.

Joe Cole also went close before, out of nowhere, Spurs grabbed an equaliser.

Wright-Phillips committed an unnecessary foul on Lee and Carrick slanted the free-kick high into the Chelsea area.

Michael Dawson beat Huth in the air and the ball bounced into the goalmouth, where Jenas reacted first, pouncing to poke the ball past Cech.

The second half was tight but both teams had chances.

Robinson produced a top-class save, tipping over with his fingertips to deny John Terry, after the England defender had risen high above Ledley King and Dawson to win a corner in the air.

But Spurs almost snatched the lead, 12 minutes from time, when King's beautiful long pass sent Jenas in on goal.

His first-touch was excellent but his finish was weak and Cech smothered it gratefully.

Chelsea finished strongly. Robinson made an incredible fingertip save to thwart sub Drogba but could do nothing as Gallas smashed in the winner from 20 yards with his right foot.

Teams

Chelsea Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Huth, Terry, Gallas, Makelele,Wright-Phillips (Drogba 68), Lampard, Essien (Maniche 77),Joe Cole (Duff 68), Crespo.

Subs Not Used: Del Horno, Cudicini.

Booked: Duff, Drogba.

Goals: Essien 14, Gallas 90.

Tottenham Robinson, Stalteri, King, Dawson, Lee, Jenas,Carrick, Davids, Tainio, Mido, Keane (Defoe 83).

Subs Not Used: Murphy, Cerny, Lennon, Gardner.

Goals: Jenas 45.

Att: 42,243

Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).