We Ain't Got No History

We may have been denied a goal of the month candidate, but as Caicedo said it on his Instagram, at least it was nice while it lasted. And thanks to VAR’s glacial pace, it was a fair few minutes indeed.

But of course the goal that wasn’t was just the cherry on top of yet another Man of the Match performance from Moi, his seventh of the season, tops in the team (now one ahead of Palmer).

“I think in this moment, he’s one of the best or the best defensive midfielders in the world. He’s doing fantastic — the best thing about Moi is that every day he’s working serious, he’s very humble, he’s very kind, he’s polite, he’s a fantastic guy. And I think today was another great performance.”

-Enzo Maresca; source: YouTube via Reddit

That’s three goals in his last six for Chelsea (with an assist), to go along with his goal and assist for Argentina over the break, so it’s fair to say that Enzo’s back in the form he was showing a few months ago, just before Christmas.

When Enzo’s scoring, our chances of winning always go up. He’s now just one shy of the seven goals he scored in all competitions last season.

The goal-contribution drought is over!

vs. SPURS (PL, H, W 1-0)

EXCEPTIONAL (9.0+): —

EXCELLENT (8.0-8.9): Caicedo (8.4), Enzo (8.1)

GOOD (7.0-7.9): Palmer (7.4), Chalobah (7.3), Cucurella (7.2)

AVERAGE (6.0-6.9): Jackson (6.8), Sánchez (6.7), Colwill (6.6), Neto (6.4), Gusto (6.3), James (6.2, sub), Madueke (6.2, sub)

SUBPAR (5.0-5.9): Tosin (5.9, sub), Dewsbury-Hall (5.9, sub), Sancho (5.6)

BAD (4.0-4.9): —

TERRIBLE (3.0-3.9): —

OVERALL

Given the way how these games often go, Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last night was practically an outlier. Just one goal. Clean sheet! Sure, a bit of aggro at times. And two disallowed goals by VAR. So not entirely free of drama, but certainly not quite on the level of some of the more famous encounters.

Not that I’m complaining. Given the way how so many of Chelsea’s recent games have gone, this game was thankfully also an outlier in the sense of tactical approach and execution. Obviously, that had something to do with the way Spurs themselves approached the game with their die-hard fascination with Ange-ball, but it was heartening to see some direct attacks and even, if you can believe it, long goal kicks towards the end of the game.

This isn’t something Enzo Maresca likes to see, per se, but even from him, this game called precisely for the sort of pragmatism we saw in his setup, his tactics, and his substitutions.

“I think tonight the performance was very good and we are happy. [...] It was a different game compared to before the international break [...] the last four games at home were Leicester, Southampton, West Ham, and Wolves. Four teams that they sit back and wait for us. Tonight...Tottenham is a different kind of game, so for us in some ways it’s better.

“[That said] we don’t work every day to win the game in the way we win and play in the last ten minutes in terms of waiting for them and giving the ball to them. But if you want to become, I think you need also to learn and to play in the way we played in the last ten minutes: win a game in a dirty way.

“Because I think for 90 minutes until the extra time, we were in control, we created chances enough to win the game, we created chances enough [in the] first half. But then [I made a] mistake because I did the change before I saw the extra time, and when I saw 12 minutes, I saw that probably was too early to make that kind of change. But fortunately, we won the game.”

-Enzo Maresca; source: YouTube via Reddit

To those who have grown used to Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham throwing themselves at the opposite side of the pitch and hoping they can win matches by force and nothing else, their game plan at the Bridge was a bit out of the left field. Instead they chose to sit back, cushion the pressure and thus let Guglielmo Vicario play lifesaver every so often.

We got close to breaking his spell in the first half. But the breakthrough only came in the second one with Enzo Fernández free to head a Cole Palmer cross into the back of the net.

Although Spurs were not being as risky as usual, they were still playing dirty. At the end of the first half Cristian Romero and Trevoh Chalobah were both yellow carded as the latter came to the rescue of Levi Colwill, who had just been shoved by the former. Later on Pape Sarr got away with only a yellow card after scoring a (cancelled) goal by hitting Moisés Caicedo’s knee with his studs.

Amazingly this world-class refereeing by Craig Pawson didn’t lead to as much indiscipline as it should. All thanks to Chelsea keeping their calm to take home the full three points which will hold them up in the Premier League’s top four.

Carefree!

Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson back in the fold and in the starting lineup already.

If it wasn’t for Tottenham having a really good shot-stopper Chelsea would’ve been a goal or two in front in the first half.

Palmer is amazing, and the Enzos certainly enjoy that!

Noni Madueke also back, as a sub.

Robert Sánchez with key interventions in the second half to bring us three extremely important points.

Next up: Brentford away in the Premier League.

KTBFFH!

Chelsea are back in action tonight, and so are injured trio Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Noni Madueke. We’ll see if all, or any, of the three actually start against Spurs, but they all should be available for selection.

For the WAGNH Community, two of them do start, Palmer and Jackson — and that’s despite some question about their fitness status at the time of voting. But we’re desperate for some cohesive attacking play, so getting them back in as soon as possible is imperative.

Joining that duo is Pedro Neto, back on the wing, and Jadon Sancho, who edges out Madueke (24%) and Christopher Nkunku (32%) for the fourth attacking spot.

The rest of the lineup is as you’d expect, with Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo in the middle, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill the two center backs, and Marc Cucurella and Reece James at full back. In goal, Filip Jörgensen maintains a solid 64-35 advantage over Robert Sánchez.

After an extended international break, Chelsea are at long last back in action tonight, as we take on Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge. It’s the latest edition of this classic, one-sided, and often quite dramatic rivalry, which is generally good money for a Chelsea win with a fun helping of schadenfreude on the side.

Obviously, a win is never actually guaranteed, and given the state of these two teams, you would indeed have to be a bold bettor to pick any outcome with any certainty. Chelsea begin the day back down in sixth after wins earlier this week by both Manchester City and Newcastle United, so it’s imperative for our Champions League hopes that we finish the day back in fourth with a win.

Date / Time: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 20.00 BST; 3pm EDT; 12:30am IST (next day)

Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6

Referee: Craig Pawson (on pitch); Jarred Gillett (VAR; no semi-automated offside yet)

Forecast: The weather’s been ridiculously nice all week — sunniest March on record! — and it will be the warmest, brightest, sunshiniest yet

On TV: Sky Sports Main Event (UK); none (USA); Star Sports Select HD1 (India); SuperSport Premier League, Canal+ Sport 3 (NGA); elsewhere

Streaming: Sky Go (UK); Peacock (USA); Disney+ Hotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)

Chelsea team news: The big news and the good news is that all three of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Noni Madueke have been passed fit and should be set to play a part in this one. I’m guessing Jackson and Palmer will both start and Noni will come off the bench. Malo Gusto has also been removed from the injury list, though his brief absence prior to the international break didn’t really garner much coverage.

The less big and certainly less good news is that Roméo Lavia has once again picked up some sort of ailment (any bets on hamstring?), ruling him out for at least this game, and, if history is any guide, probably for a bit longer beyond that as well. Lavia has managed just three appearances in the last four months.

Marc Guiu is our only other absentee, which means that we’re the healthiest we’ve been in several months. Enzo Maresca has pointed to that as an excuse/explanation for our drop in form during that time; no more excuses!

Spurs team news: Ange Postecoglou somehow remains in charge still of Spurs, despite them languishing in 14th place. They have not finished in the bottom half of the table since 2007-08 (11th) and would match their worst league finish since 1994. In the league, they have just four wins since Thanksgiving (17 games), three of wins came back-to-back-back in February.

But hey, that’s (probably) good news for us, since Ange isn’t going to sit back or spring a tactical surprise that would create a pre-game headache for the Chelsea coahng staff.

Another development that should favor the Blues is the absence via injury of Dejan Kulusevski, who joins the likes of Richarlison and Radu Dragusin on the sidelines. Lucas Bergvall will be a gametime decision.

View from the enemy: Cartilage Free Captain

It’s been an extra-long international break with Chelsea not in action over the weekend in the FA Cup, and that has hopefully allowed us to fully recover and refocus for the two main tasks ahead in the final two months of the season: finish in the top four/five of the Premier League, and win the UEFA Conference League.

It’s the former that will concern us this week, with a Thursday night match against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge. Coming off of the defeat against Arsenal just prior to the break, it will be doubly, if not quadruply imperative that we beat Spurs.

Quite helpful in that task could be the returns from injury of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Noni Madueke, all three of whom have been back to training this week. We can probably safely assume that at least Palmer will be fit to start, with the other two hopefully ready for at least limited action off the bench.

Choose wisely!

Loading…

With Aston Villa pulling out of any deal to sign Axel Disasi, Tottenham Hotspur are apparently back in for one last attempt to convince the 26-year-old center back to join them today, before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm local time.

Disasi had rejected Spurs after are historically infrequent trading partners have actually sat down to negotiate with us and even agreed a loan for the rest of the season.

Disasi had very much wanted to go to Villa, but Chelsea didn't want to strengthen a direct top-six rival, which is certainly understandable. So perhaps he will see the light? Wait, that's not how that song goes!

Of course just because Spurs are asking again, it doesn't mean that Disasi will now say yes. Choose wisely!

Axel Disasi’s situation has just gotten a bit more interesting as we head into transfer deadline day.

The 26-year-old defender has agreed personal terms with Aston Villa over a loan move, but Chelsea are not too keen on that given that Villa are direct rivals for a top-four/-six spot.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur, in their absolute desperation for any able-bodied defender, have actually sat down at the negotiating table with Chelsea, and even agreed a loan deal for the rest of the season ... but Disasi himself is not too keen on that and it doesn’t sound like he’s willing to agree to terms with Spurs.

Proper Chels?

Spurs fielded a team earlier today (Sunday) without a recognized center back, and are still looking to bring in one more after signing Kevin Danso on loan from RC Lens. Perhaps they can convince Disasi to change his mind as I doubt we’re going to relent on the Villa stance.

Chelsea have been stalling over Axel Disasi’s agreed loan move to Aston Villa, and one of the reasons behind that may be that we’re waiting to see if other, perhaps better offers arrive in these final few days of the transfer window.

I’m not sure this would qualify as a better offer, but it certainly would be more amusing (and would not be from a direct top-six rival). According to various reports today, including from The Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur are “considering” an approach if their attempts to sign former Chelsea Academy standout Fikayo Tomori from AC Milan fall through. (Don’t do it, Fik!)

Spurs are having an hilariously terrible season under Ange Postecoglou and are currently sitting 16th, below even Everton at the moment. Injuries have played a major role in their struggles, especially combined with Big Ange’s tactical sillinesses, and center back Radu Drăgușin could be the latest to miss significant time with a knee injury, necessitating this late-window scramble at the position.

Chelsea are said to be looking for a transfer or a loan-obligation with Disasi ideally, or at least a “significant” loan fee, so perhaps we can squeeze that out of Spurs?

Palmer had gone a whole five (5!) games without a Man of the Match; he chose the perfect time to end that veritable drought. Teams can stick as many players as they want on him, he’s going to find a way to influence the match.

But even if he had done nothing else, that Panenka for his second penalty would have been fairly legendary in the annals of this long-standing rivalry between Chelsea and Tottenham. Cole probably wasn’t thinking about any of that, he just let his instincts take over.

Enzo Fernández is enjoying his best spell yet in a Chelsea shirt; long may that last.

Sancho has finally discovered that you are in fact able to take shots in this game of football that we all love.

“I’ve been working on my shooting a bit more.”

-Jadon Sancho; source: BBC MotD

vs. SPURS (PL, A, W 4-3)

EXCEPTIONAL (9.0+): —

EXCELLENT (8.0-8.9): Palmer (8.8), Enzo (8.2), Sancho (8.2)

GOOD (7.0-7.9): Caicedo (7.5), Lavia (7.2)

AVERAGE (6.0-6.9): Neto (6.9), Gusto (6.7, sub), Colwill (6.2), Jackson (6.2)

POOR (5.0-5.9): Nkunku (5.9, sub), Madueke (5.8, sub), Veiga (5.6, sub), Félix (5.5, sub), Badiashile (5.5), Cucurella (5.4), Sánchez (5.0)

BAD (4.0-4.9): —

TERRIBLE (3.0-3.9): —

OVERALL