Soccer: Terry's folly marks a day to forget for England's ex-captain

John Terry must have nightmares about days like that.

First Manchester United won their derby to close the gap on Chelsea at the top of the table to a point. Then, after 15 minutes of Chelsea's derby match against Spurs, the referee decided the former England captain had handled an innocuous cross by David Bentley for a penalty converted by Jermain Defoe. Whether he did was not clear but it looked like more hand - or upper arm - than head. To round off a bad afternoon, after 67 minutes he was sent off for two yellow cards picked up in three minutes.

All this and a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane.

The first card could have come for the handball, but Phil Dowd decided a spot-kick was enough. Instead, with Chelsea committing more men forward and exposing the back four, the first caution arrived when Terry fouled Roman Pavlyuchenko. The second one was given when Terry, running across to tackle Gareth Bale, nearly removed the midfielder's legs from his torso. Dowd did not even look at Terry as he waved the second yellow and consequent red.

For all Didier Drogba's many goals, the Chelsea defence has been just as vital to the Blues' attempts to win their first League title since 2006.

Before this game, the west London club had the joint-best defence away from home before kick-off with 16 goals - along with Manchester United and Stoke. They also had the second best defence overall in the Premier League, with 30 conceded, before kick-off. Yet having conceded twice before half-time, was White Hart Lane witnessing the Chelsea back four unravelling?

Carlo Ancelotti worked with some of the best Italian defenders of the last 40 years when playing and managing at Milan. Often neglected in the famed Milan back four of the early 1990s was Mauro Tassotti, who is still employed by the club. How Ancelotti could have done with some inspiration from that right-back for the man who started this game in that berth for Chelsea.

Paulo Ferreira is not Chelsea's first choice in that position but Jose Bosingwa is injured. However, half-time was the right time for Ancelotti to put Ferreira out of his misery and replace him with Ivanovic. Bale was not only too quick but he was too strong for Ferreira.

That was obvious early on before the penalty was given, when Bale beat his man to put in a good cross.

It became even clearer a minute before interval. A straight sprint between Ferreira and Bale is not a fair fight but an experienced hand like the Portuguese should have shepherded the Wales international down the flank. However, the Spurs midfielder cut in, surprising Ferreira to score with his weaker, right foot.

Chelsea's remaining defenders could only be grateful to Petr Cech who saved well from Defoe and Pavlyuchenko in the second half so at least that part of the defence is still working.

The Chelsea defence has got a week to ponder this loss and to reorganise. Terry, who will now miss the home game with Stoke City through suspension, will have a little longer.

- INDEPENDENT