SOCCER/Tottenham - 0 Chelsea - 2: The clubs challenging Chelsea for the title no doubt see reasons for optimism. After all, the champions were lucky to beat Wigan, needed a fortunate goal to defeat Arsenal and were not having it their own way here before Mido's red card. Do not try telling Jose Mourinho, though, that his team is in decline.

Chelsea's points tally is an intimidating 12 out of 12, their goals against column remains empty and Mourinho believes his players are improving with every match.

"I think there is an extra dynamic from what we showed last season," the manager said. "I think we will play better than we did last year."

It was difficult to draw conclusions from this match, which headed predictably towards a Chelsea victory after Mido's dismissal, whose suspension could be extended from three to four games due to his reluctance to leave the pitch. Yet it was easy to see what is giving Mourinho such confidence.

For a start he feels his squad is better. Asier Del Horno has strengthened the left flank and headed his team in front. Shaun Wright-Phillips was a lively substitute against a struggling Stephen Kelly, bringing pace and delivery that Joe Cole had lacked. He set up Damien Duff's goal and almost another. Mourinho said the absence of Arjen Robben was no longer such a worry.

Michael Essien was less impressive but Mourinho called him "the complete midfield player" and pinpointed his strength and stamina by saying "he can play one game every day, no problem".

Hernan Crespo, meanwhile, confirmed he is a far more dangerous substitute than Mateja Kezman was last season. The match-winner at Wigan, he drew two sharp saves from Paul Robinson.

Tottenham's early dominance had suggested the visitors were in for a test. Michael Dawson might have scored and Spurs looked the brighter side.

Once Mido went, Chelsea kept the ball well and played patiently, knowing there was no need to expose themselves to counter-attacks and that chances would come. Their game, as so often, was controlled rather than exhilarating - nothing more was needed. Mourinho was pleased with the use of possession, an area targeted for improvement on last season.

"I wanted more with the ball, without losing what we had without the ball," he said, "and I think they're doing that. We have not lost any of the qualities that made us a great defensive team but are getting new qualities.

"The team is more comfortable with the ball. When we have possession, it's pass, pass, pass and not losing it. We are dangerous with counter-attacks and on set plays and the midfielders, except for (Claude) Makelele, are arriving into dangerous positions. The wingers are very dangerous as well and when I make changes those changes always make an impact, not because of me but because of them."

Makelele may not dart forward but his value was again plain in his tidy defending and distribution.

"He is like the best vintage port," said Mourinho. "The older he gets, the better he is. I have always thought that good players are like the best port - they reach their best when they get over 30."

Tottenham's plans to use Jermain Defoe to stifle Makelele were among those destroyed by the red card, shown by Rob Styles after Mido ran in from the side of Del Horno to challenge for a high ball and caught the left-back in the head with an arm. Mido denied intent to harm and the Tottenham head coach Martin Jol was right in saying the dismissal was "a bit harsh" but that he could "accept" it because it was not a "clever challenge".

It can be assumed referee Styles will report Mido's failure to go off immediately, a misdemeanour that clubs were warned about by the FA in January. It would not be surprising if they also examined the melee involving players from both sides that followed the dismissal.

Defoe was left isolated and Jol's decision to push Dawson up front towards the end of the game showed his need to buy a tall striker to replace Fredi Kanoute is now even more urgent. Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt has been a target and Livorno's Cristiano Lucarelli, Serie A's leading scorer last season with 24 goals, has said he is considering an offer to come to Tottenham. Spurs are interested in Carlton Cole but the signs are Chelsea won't sell.

"In Europe, Defoe and (Robbie) Keane would work because you can play with one striker and the other dropping off and building the play," Jol said. "But in the Premiership you do use the long ball more."

Chelsea went ahead when Del Horno headed in a Frank Lampard corner and Duff made sure of the victory by firing home from Wright-Phillips's cross. "We have real belief going into games that we won't get beaten," Lampard said. Challengers have been warned.

Guardian Service