Chelsea boosted their Champions League qualification hopes after a 1-0 win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in an edgy encounter.
A second half header from Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández in the 50th minute was enough to separate the sides, with Chelsea dominating every aspect but the score in the first half.
Spurs were looking to get some confidence back to their team, with a crucial Europa League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt to come next week. With just one win at Stamford Bridge in their entire Premier League history, they were looking to change this. However, this was not the day to do it as their struggles continue.
With teams around them in the table winning this week in Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, it was important that Chelsea got themselves three points in a tight race for the fourth placed Champions League spot. The fifth placed team is looking likely to also be given Champions League qualification but this is not a guarantee, making the fight for fourth even more important.
VAR had a major say in the evening’s result, with both teams seeing goals ruled out, but it was the header of Fernández that ultimately separated the sides.
Story of the Match
Chelsea could have easily been ahead by two or three goals at half time had their end product been better. Striker Nicolas Jackson almost gave them the perfect start with less than a minute played.
After getting onto the end of a long ball, it took a touch of both Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and defender Micky van de Ven before hitting the post. Full back Malo Gusto tested the Tottenham net moments later, his effort falling just wide of the post.
Tottenham kept playing with fire after some sloppy passes, with Vicario looking shaky after some questionable distribution. Nothing seemed to flow well for Tottenham, with a mixture of shaky defending and a lack of any attacking threat.
Chelsea continued to feed opportunities down the throats of Tottenham’s defence, Destiny Udogie getting a vital touch to prevent a certain Fernández opener after Cole Palmer’s ball into the box. Former Wolves forward Pedro Neto caused problems with his crossing, with one just missing the heads of Palmer and Jackson.
The only significant effort from Tottenham came from Son Heung-min, the South Korean international dribbling and stepping over, his low effort forcing a save from former Brighton man Robert Sánchez.
Vicario struggled in the first half immensely, but he produced the best save of the evening. Another Neto crossed threatened Tottenham, finding the feet of Jadon Sancho who curled an effort towards the top right corner before Vicario got his fingertips to it to keep the scores level at half time.
The game was not without its drama in a temper filled affair, with a scuffle towards the end of the first half involving many of the players on the field. It started between Cristian Romero and Trevor Chalobah, but soon descended to chaos with a huge melee.
Chelsea find their breakthrough in the second half
After a dominant first half performance that still managed to lack a clear-cut chance, the hosts made amends for this just five minutes into the second half.
Marc Cucurella found Palmer, who was making a long-awaited return to the first team. He took a touch and showed why he won PFA Young Player of the Year last season. His cross found the head of a free Fernández, who rose past Udogie and gave Chelsea the lead on what was his second goal of the season against Tottenham.
Chelsea thought they had doubled their lead, after midfielder Moisés Caicedo’s powerful effort raised the net. Fernández’s free kick was headed away, took a touch off Lucas Bergvall and was stuck back by Caicedo into the back of the net with a low driven powerful strike. After a lengthy check, the Ecuadorian’s second goal of the season was ruled out after Levi Colwill was deemed to be in an offside position.
Spurs had appeals for a penalty after they felt Udogie’s cross hit the hand of Chalobah. VAR did not agree but they soon thought they had found themselves level. After a header was won by Pape Matar Sarr, he hit a magnificent low effort past the weak hands of Robert Sánchez. However, the 22-year-old was deemed to have caught the knee of Caicedo and the goal was ruled out, with a yellow card to follow.
Spurs kept fighting and showed some character, Son being denied late on. Substitute Brennan Johnson drove down the right-hand side, finding the South Korean at the far post. Stretching out, Son’s effort was denied by Sánchez. It was too little too late for Spurs and the full-time whistle was blown after 12 minutes of added time followed.
Player of the match: Enzo Fernández
If anyone ever questioned the value of Fernández to Enzo Maresca’s side, then this performance was one to do it. With a goal and an assist for a goal that was ruled out by VAR, he was the heartbeat of this Chelsea side.
He dominated the midfield battle and had an impact going forward as well. He showcased a passion and drive that not many did during a drab affair.