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Match of the Day - 2025/26 Highlights: Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur Highlights  BBC

A foul - or in this case a penalty - can only be awarded if the ball is in play.

If the offence happens before the corner is kicked then the referee can't give a foul, they can only take disciplinary action - in this case a yellow card to Marc Cucurella.

The VAR will then check to make sure the ball has not been kicked while there is foul contact. If the attacker has already been pulled down there is no route for the VAR to initiate a review.

But two weeks ago, Everton were wrongly denied a penalty against Manchester City when Merlin Rohl was dragged the the floor by Bernardo Silva.

The VAR decided the holding had stopped before a corner was taken, but the Premier League's key match incidents panel ruled that to be incorrect.

Tottenham's incentive could not have been greater as they travelled to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. Premier League survival was in their own hands.

They faced a Chelsea side whose form had been indifferent, and who had just suffered the disappointment of losing the FA Cup final to Manchester City.

Spurs started brightly, but once Chelsea went ahead through Enzo Fernandez there was a lack of urgency until it was too late, namely after Andrey Santos had put them two goals in arrears.

Santos' goal came just as head coach Roberto de Zerbi was about to make three substitutions, including James Maddison, who led lengthy Spurs protests to referee Stuart Attwell at the final whistle.

The point of contention was that penalty incident when Marc Cucurella clearly dragged Micky van de Ven to the floor, but the ruling was that the ball was not yet in play - a decision that infuriated Spurs.

In reality, despite a late flurry, Spurs did not produce enough creation or threat when the stakes were so high.

Now it all rides on Sunday's meeting with Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - with Spurs' top-flight status hanging in the balance.

Spurs know a point will almost certainly be enough to keep them in the Premier League, but nerves will be jangling after such poor form at home this season.

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to Sky Sports: "We created a first chance to score with [Mathys] Tel. It was a big save for Robert Sanchez.

"Then we concede one great goal because [Enzo] Fernandez, a big player, we could do something better. Then we stay in the game until the second goal, we lost a stupid ball. We conceded a second goal. But before the second goal, we created a big big chance with Richarlison.

"I think we played a very good game. We lost.

"But now is not the time to think too much of this game. We have to prepare the next game. We play in our stadium with our fans. With our qualities, with character, with pride and courage we have to play.

"But I am positive because today, we played a good game."

Spurs midfielder Joao Palhinha, speaking to Sky Sports: "We have to [use the defeat as fuel for final game]. That's the reality. We cannot think too much about the result.

"We more than played well. We needed the result to finish this thing that we have been living for a long time. This team needed a different result today. I think we deserved it.

"It's been a tough season for us with a lot of things happening inside the club. The reality is we have a final on Sunday. We want to keep Tottenham in the Premier League and we will go with everything.

"I don't think I need to speak too much about this game because we wanted to win. I think we deserved more. It's a big frustration.

"We will have Tottenham in the Premier League next season, I don't have any doubt about that because it's where the club belong. Let's go with everything."

Tottenham miss the opportunity to secure Premier League safety after they're beaten 2-1 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, meaning their fight against relegation will go down to the final day, with the club sitting two points above the bottom three.

MATCH REPORT: Spurs' relegation fight goes to final day after loss at Chelsea

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Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham

Roberto De Zerbi must get through some calories during a game. The man's never still!

He's got a bit more energy now after that goal.

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Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham

Paul Robinson

Former Spurs goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

They couldn't could they? Surely not, they've been so poor this evening.

It's a decent piece of play from Tottenham, disappointing from Chelsea's point of view.

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Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

It was a goal at just the right time for Chelsea and the worst time for Tottenham to concede.

Spurs had been building up threatening attacks over the previous 15 minutes and were looking to capitalise by making three substitutions.

However, as James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr and Djed Spence were stood their on the touchline, Andrey Santos was tucking his finish into the bottom corner.

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Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham

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'What a gift for Chelsea'

Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham

Paul Robinson

Former Spurs goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Micky van de Van is absolutely furious with Kolo Muani. Such a poor pass in the middle of the field.

It's a gift for Chelsea but it's a long way from goal - they still had the opportunity to defend it.

Chelsea say 'thank you very much'.

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Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham

Paul Robinson

Former Spurs goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

You can see the frustration. If you look at the body language of those players in yellow shirts, nothing has really quite clicked for them tonight.

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Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham

The lack of quality for Spurs up top is really apparent tonight.

Chelsea are pretty comfortable with what's being thrown at them.

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The Chelsea players will want to impress their new manager Xabi Alonso, who starts on 1 July, but that is not the only reason they will be up for this game.

These two clubs do not like each other very much and Chelsea fans would like nothing more than to beat Tottenham and take their relegation battle to the final day.

Chelsea played pretty well in the FA Cup final despite losing at Wembley - they went with a back three and made it difficult for Manchester City to break them down - and they will have a go at Tottenham here.

But Spurs know they only need a point to stay up after West Ham's defeat by Newcastle and I think they will get it at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs are on a good run of results but they have been playing well too. They look a lot more organised under Roberto de Zerbi and they are definitely capable of getting a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1