Martin Jol chose to rest Pascal Chimbonda completely while starting with Anthony Gardner and Steed Malbranque only on the bench. Into the side came Ricardo Rocha, Hossam Ghaly, Jermain Defoe for the injured Robbie Keane, Paul Stalteri and Radek Cerny for the injured Paul Robinson. Returning from his latest injury Mido, along with goalkeeper Robert Burch were also among the substitutes.
Michael Dawson was captain for the day. The opening few minutes were cagey before Dimitar Berbatov handed Tottenham the ideal start and although Frank Lampard levelled, the visitors looked dangerous going forward and that was reflected with two more goals before the interval as the visitors continued to dig deep and found themselves 2-1 up, then 3-1 up.
Chelsea were quick out of the blocks at the start of the second half period, and two chances fell to Didier Drogba but Spurs weathered the early storm before they probably should have sealed victory but it wasn't to be and the home side kept pressing. However, it was impressive to watch Tottenham on the break.
Berbatov was forced off with a groin problem after 65 minutes as Jol reverted to a 4-4-2 system from the 4-3-3 that had looked dangerous all afternoon, Aaron Lennon a constant threat playing behind the front two of Berbatov and Defoe. Chelsea started to gain more territory and their goals followed, the home side eventually bringing the score back all square again and there was no time left for a late winner from either side.
Martin Jol said: "We were confident before the game and it looked a terrific prospect for us at half-time, we really wanted to do it. On the other hand, Chelsea are a great team and we knew they would pressurise us in the second half, but even when they played with three strikers we left it because we wanted a fourth goal.
"It almost came off because we had a one-on-one with the keeper, a penalty decision for handball that looked like a penalty and then Jermain Defoe hit the bar late on. We were a bit unfortunate because Dimitar Berbatov said at half-time that he had a problem with his groin. I asked him to play another 10, 15 minutes but I couldn't take a risk with him."
"We had some tired legs at the end because we played on Sunday at West Ham and then Braga on Thursday, otherwise I was confident we could have beaten them. Their first goal was a lucky goal and the second, from a set piece, is something we have to concentrate on."
"It's a long time since Chelsea conceded three goals at home and it is a great compliment to us that we are disappointed after a draw at Stamford Bridge. But we cannot sit down and blame ourselves because we have another game on Wednesday. We have to pick ourselves up."
"The one thing I would have liked after the game would have been to go to our fans to thank them with a win under our belts. I feel we did well on the day, but if you are very critical you could say it was an awful draw and it was. Now we can get them back to White Hart Lane, they have got three matches as well, so with the support of our crowd it could be an unbelievable night on Monday.
"I have seen a couple of matches at Chelsea where behind the goal it is only the bottom part which is full. The whole stand was full of Tottenham supporters and what can I say? There are only a few clubs in England who could do the same and we are one of the clubs with the best away support. It was a great game to be involved in like last week at West Ham. You want to come out as a winner and I feel we should have been a winner at Stamford Bridge. I know if we could have scored the fourth goal we would have been okay.
"We were very positive and we had that feeling before the game, that maybe there was something in it for us. We had nothing to lose because our away record against Chelsea has not been good over the last decades.
"I thought with Aaron Lennon and the two strikers high up, we could probably cause them problems and that was true. They couldn't come up with the solutions in the first half and in the second half the only thing they did was throw everything at us.
"We should have scored the fourth one then nobody would have said anything. Berbatov, Defoe - even with the second chance after Lennon had the one v one with the keeper. Normally he would have scored a goal, probably he was a bit worried because somebody came up with his leg high.
"Having said that, Steed Malbranque had to come on for Aaron Lennon because he said he was running against the wall. Berbatov was having a problem with his groin so I said I would leave him for ten minutes and left him for 21 or 22 minutes. Anthony Gardner came on and after a couple of seconds he did his knee, which is something you really don't need because he is a big guy and if there is one player who can challenge Drogba it is Anthony Gardner.
"I felt that we could have outplayed them, we scored three goals in the first half and in the second we could have scored two or three more. I think we were a bit unfortunate but, on the other hand, it is about us and that is what I have said this season."
Chris Hughton said: "The feeling is more of disappointment than being pleased with the draw because of our performance on the day. I don't think we could have given any more and at one stage it looked like we could score that fourth goal and if we had, I think that would have been game over. I thought we did enough to win the game certainly in terms of creating chances and scoring three goals but that's the strength of Chelsea, the ability to come back like that with the quality of player they have. Nevertheless, the replay is a massive prospect in front of a packed home crowd and we're still in there."
Jose Mourinho said: "We are happier than Spurs because they had everything in their hands and we had everything lost."
Michael Dawson said: "It did put a big smile on my face knowing what a great honour it was and a special feeling it was to lead the team out. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay happy because we were all so disappointed about the result. It would have been a greater feeling if I could have led the celebrations at the end. Our first half performance was fantastic, after getting into a 3-1 lead against a team like Chelsea we should have been home and dry.
"Looking back on it, it doesn't make it any easier that it was a game where I was captain because come the end of the game we were not happy with the outcome. We needed a fourth but, after scoring so many goals recently, we can't keep expecting the front lads to score four every game. We want to put the Chelsea game to bed and then look forward to next week."
Hossam Ghaly said: "I think we are doing well and scoring three goals away at Chelsea is a big thing. We played a good game and scored goals, but we conceded from set pieces and that has been a problem.
"We were unlucky because we were always leading and came very close to finishing the game as winners so we are disappointed but we are now looking forward to the game at White Hart Lane where we can do something better."
"I don't score a lot so it was a big goal for me. I kissed my engagement ring as part of my celebration to show that the goal was also for my fiancé. I was very happy to score such a goal for us, the fans and it meant a lot to me."
Young-Pyo Lee said: "It's a real pity because it was a great performance in the first half. At 3-1 it looked good for us. The second half, I don't know why, we just didn't concentrate enough. I don't think they scored great goals, they came from our mistakes, the second and third goals. Still, we played very well and this is football, we can't be too disappointed because we have another game straight away."
"We also have another chance and I believe we can still go to the semi-final. Even though we've had a lot of matches in the last two weeks, we played well and mentally we are very strong."
Source: TottenhamHotspur.com/ChelseaFC.com