Heurelho Gomes looked to have gifted the champions the unlikeliest of victories when he clattered into Ramires having already handed Drogba a 70th-minute equaliser with a complete howler, but he redeemed himself by saving the latter's spot-kick.

Spurs had led through Roman Pavlyuchenko's ninth goal of the season which came in the 15th minute and could easily have won but for their erratic goalkeeper.

Stuart Holden snatched a dramatic late winner as 10-man Bolton beat Blackburn 2-1 at the Reebok Stadium.

Mame Biram Diouf seemed to have earned Blackburn a point when his cool finish cancelled out a 65th-minute opener from Fabrice Muamba for the home side, who had Mark Davies sent off after 56 minutes for a second bookable offence.

But with the Rovers fans still out of their seats Kevin Davies flicked on a long through-ball and Holden pounced to ram a superb strike past Paul Robinson.

Wolves deservedly secured a 1-0 derby triumph over Birmingham which could have been all the more comfortable if not for the heroics of Blues goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Stephen Hunt's near-post finish on the stroke of half-time was the only effort to beat the England international who put in a sublime performance at Molineux.