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.

Michael Carrick had put the Spurs defence under pressure with a sloppy pass early on to Lee Young-Pyo, which allowed Shaun WrightPhillips 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 rightfooter 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 then committed a 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.

Chelsea finished the game 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.