ALAN HUTTON was the victim of a horror tackle from Ashley Cole as Spurs put a serious dent in Chelsea's title challenge.

The Scotland internationalist was tackled just below the knee during his side's 4-4 draw with their London rivals at White Hart Lane.

Cole's studs were clearly up as he challenged the former Rangers full-back just before half-time, but referee Mike Riley somehow decided against showing him a straight red card, instead booking the England star before his own manager Avram Grant replaced him.

At the time of the incident, furious Spurs players surrounded the whistler to complain about the challenge and Spurs manager Juande Ramos admitted he had seen players walk for tackles that weren't as bad as Cole's on the £9m January signing.

He said: "The referee decided it was a yellow card, but we've seen tackles which were much less serious which have earned red cards, like Robbie Keane's this season."

Grant claimed no to have seen the tackle and was more concerned that his side's failure to keep the pressure on league leaders Manchester United.

But he vowed to keep fighting in the Barclays Premier League title race after losing ground following a thrilling clash at Tottenham.

Robbie Keane struck in the 88th minute to earn Spurs a 4-4 draw at White Hart Lane, leaving their opponents five points behind leaders Manchester United.

Grant said: "We have one point. We wanted three.

"We are five points off the top, still in the race and we will continue fighting."