The script was probably written beforehand. Three minutes from time, with Chelsea struggling to beat a lively Tottenham, George Weah rose high above two defenders to head home the winner for his new side on his debut.

This]Boys Own denouement was tough luck on a Spurs side who themselves could do with a new striker, so many chances did they squander. But few inside Stamford Bridge cared.

The game had started cloaked in mystery about the absence of another of Chelsea's former Serie A players, Gianfranco Zola. Having found himself neither in the team nor on the bench for what would have been his 150th Chelsea game, the Italian had reportedly stormed off in a huff just before kick-off. However, his being omitted from last night's squad was understandable given his measly tally of two goals all season.

It was not as if Weah had replaced him in the team because Chelsea chose to start their new signing on the bench even though they had rushed through his international clearance to play in this game.

It is not often a former world footballer of the year sits on the bench alongside a Stg£10 million striker - Chris Sutton. But Gianluca Vialli chose to repeat a recent ploy of playing one striker, Tore Andre Flo in front of a six-man midfield.

Two home-grown youngsters were handed a rare chance of shining in Chelsea's normally cosmopolitan team, John Terry in central defence and Jon Harley at left wing-back.

Both were quickly on the back foot as Spurs, seeking their first win over Chelsea since 1990 and inspired by the jinking runs of David Ginola, began brightly, creating five chances to Chelsea's one before the break.

Though Chelsea began the second half showing more purpose, by the 57th minute they had failed to really trouble Walker.

That was when Weah came on, along with Sutton, to form a twin spearhead. Weah received a warm welcome on a cold night and looked comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings as he laid the ball off silkily.

Chelsea: De Goey, Leboeuf, Lambourde, Thome, Terry, Harley, Petrescu, Wise, Di Matteo, Poyet (Sutton 56), Flo (Weah 56). Subs Not Used: Ambrosetti, Morris, Cudicini. Booked: Wise. Goals: Weah 87.

TOTTENHAM: Walker, Carr, Campbell, Perry, Edinburgh, Anderton, Clemence, Sherwood, Ginola, Armstrong, Iversen. Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Fox, Dominguez, Young, Nielsen. Booked: Armstrong, Sherwood, Iversen.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).