Adebayor backs Terry to stay focused

Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor is convinced John Terry's form will not dip in the run up to his trial next February.

The Chelsea and England captain had a strong game against Tottenham last night despite learning just 24 hours earlier that he had been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence over comments allegedly made towards Anton Ferdinand during the Premier League encounter with QPR at Loftus Road on October 23.

The home fans gave Terry plenty of stick with almost incessant chanting at the defender over his forthcoming trial, which is due to take place on February 1, but he rose above it, putting in a desperate sliding block to divert a goal-bound Adebayor shot in the dying minutes to deny Spurs a 2-1 victory.

The centre-back seemed remarkably focused during last night's derby and Adebayor thinks he will continue to be so in the next few weeks - a period which could define Chelsea's season.

"It's not his first problem in his life. He had a couple of problems already, so I think now he knows how to deal with them," Adebayor said.

"We are all human beings. We all have problems in our families, problems at home, but when you put the shirt on you just have to manage it.

"It's always difficult in the head, but you have to try to put the problem behind you and work for the team because you have another 10 players who are there so you have to show them respect by working hard and doing whatever it takes.

"I think John Terry showed good personality and great character.

"He played very well so it shows you can deal with these things through experience."

Tottenham captain Ledley King knows Terry well having played together at the famous east London youth team Senrab, and fully expected the Chelsea skipper put in a good display last night.

"He's a strong character," King said. "He lets his football do the talking out there and it doesn't surprise me that he was able to put in a performance like that despite what's going on off the pitch."

Adebayor gave Tottenham the lead by nipping in between Terry and Petr Cech to turn home Gareth Bale's cross in a blistering start for the home side.

They failed to maintain the high tempo, however, and Chelsea equalised through Daniel Sturridge before missing a glut of chances to seal a win that would have taken the Blues to third in the Barclays Premier League.

Spurs' recent good form has led many, including Sir Alex Ferguson, to believe that they are the best-equipped team in the capital to challenge both Manchester clubs for the title.

Adebayor has warned that it would be dangerous to write the Blues off, however, even though they are 11 points behind leaders City.

"Chelsea are capable of everything. From now on they can go unbeaten until the end of the season, which means they can be champions," the on-loan striker said.

Tottenham must now pick themselves up and produce wins over Norwich, Swansea and West Brom over the coming 11 days if they are to live up to their billing as title challengers.

The Londoners, who are nine points behind City with a game in hand, are likely to have to do without Rafael van der Vaart until the new year after he suffered a hamstring injury.

Spurs already have a packed treatment room, with Ledley King and Younes Kaboul both injuring their hamstrings last night.

Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon were both missing with a similar problem too, although Harry Redknapp is hopeful that Defoe will be fit for Tuesday's trip to Carrow Road.