Cole Palmer nets brace in Premier League win as Blues pile pressure on Ange Postecoglou

Chelsea came from two goals behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 and move second in the Premier League table.

Cole Palmer was on target twice from the penalty spot, as Jadon Sancho and Enzo Fernandez scored in another blockbuster between the London rivals.

Six minutes later, Cucurella fell victim to the slippery surface for the second time when he went down again, this time allowing Spurs to find Dejan Kulusevski on the edge of the box, and he fired the hosts two goals ahead.

Tottenham could not hold on to the two-goal cushion for long, though, as Sancho drilled home from 20 yards to halve the deficit four minutes later.

One of the major talking points in the first half was when Moises Caicedo caught Pape Sarr with his studs high in a late challenge, but after a swift VAR check, the midfielder was controversially cleared.

Chelsea started the second half on the front foot and their persistence paid off on the hour mark as Caicedo won a penalty following a reckless challenge from Yves Bissouma. Palmer was on hand to slot home the spot kick and pull Enzo Maresca’s side level.

In another moment of madness, Sarr shoved Palmer in the back to gift the visitors another penalty, which was dispatched with a Panenka by Palmer.

Spurs grabbed a consolation through Son Heung-min in the final stages, but Chelsea held on for all three points while Spurs slumped to a third game without a win.

In further bad news for Ange Postecoglou and Spurs, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were passed fit to start the match, but both were forced off with injuries.

Talking point - Chelsea are in the title race

Maresca looks to have sorted the mess out that was Chelsea and now he has them in contention for the Premier League. It is only December, and they may not go on and win it, but they have proved they are definitely in the race and are currently Liverpool’s strongest contenders.

Manchester City have already fallen eight points behind leaders Liverpool while Arsenal - two points adrift of Chelsea in third - slipped up at Fulham earlier on Sunday.

As for Spurs, it is a totally different story. Just one win in seven games for Postecoglou’s side has seen them drop to 11th after 15 games, and that win was a 4-0 win at champions Man City.

Spurs can be very hit-and-miss - just like their start to Sunday’s encounter showed - but they are far more miss than hit right now.

Player of the Match - Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Chelsea might be in the title race, but they would not be without the sensation that is Cole Palmer.

Two goals from the spot, his 10th and 11th of the Premier League season, and a brilliant contribution for Fernandez's goal fuelled Chelsea’s comeback.

Another sensational performance from the England star.

Match ratings

Tottenham: Forster 6, Porro 7, Romero 6, Van de Ven 6, Udogie 6, Kulusevski 7, Bissouma 6, Sarr 6, Johnson 7, Solanke 7, Son 7

Subs: Dragusin 6, Gray 6, Bergvall 6, Maddison 7, Werner 6

Chelsea: Sanchez 5, Caicedo 7, Badiashile 6, Colwill 5, Cucurella 6, Lavia 6, Fernandez 7, Sancho 8, Palmer 9, Neto 7, Jackson 6

Subs: Gusto 6, Veiga N/A, Felix N/A, Madueke N/A, Nkunku 6

Match highlights

Key stats

With just 11 minutes played, it is the earliest Chelsea have been 2-0 down in a Premier League game since December 1996 v Leeds United. (Opta)

Cole Palmer has scored all 12 of his penalties in the Premier League; the best 100% record of any player in the competition. (Opta)

Cole Palmer now has 50 goal involvements (33 goals, 17 assists) in 48 Premier League games for Chelsea; only Erling Haaland for Man City (39), Andy Cole for Newcastle (43), and Mo Salah for Liverpool (46) have ever reached 50 in fewer PL games for a club. (Opta)

This was the 11th time that Tottenham lost a Premier League game after having been 2+ goals ahead – at least four more such defeats than any other side in the competition’s history. (Opta)

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