William Gallas fired Chelsea three points closer to another Premiership title with a screamer in stoppage time to deny Tottenham a share of the spoils.

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.

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.

And 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.

Gallas told reporters afterwards: "It was important to win that game. At Barcelona we were very sad and now we think only about the Premiership. Tottenham played very well, they came here to win but it wasn’t easy for them."

Skipper John Terry added: "From a bad week we are now buzzing, the double is still on and we’ve got a great chance."

Of Gallas’ spectacular strike, Terry added: "I don’t know where it came from. As soon as it left his boot it was in. We were disappointed in the week and to get a win in the last minute, we’ll take it."