In what was one other fiery derby showdown from Stamford Bridge, Chelsea shored up their spot within the Champions League chase as they clinched a 1-0 victory towards native rivals Tottenham on Thursday night time.
Whereas the Blues might need welcomed again attacking talisman Cole Palmer right here, it was Enzo Fernandez who proved to be Chelsea’s hero in west London as they Argentinian worldwide headed dwelling powerfully simply 5 minuets after the interval.
Enzo Maresca’s facet thought that that they had doubled their benefit simply seconds later however Moises Caicedo’s crisp volley was dominated out following a prolonged four-minute VAR verify for a marginal offside within the build-up.
In a battle that traditionally produces loads of drama, Tottenham had their very own effort controversially dominated out within the second-half.
Whereas substitute Pape Matar Sarr might need powered dwelling his effort from 20 yards, the Spurs midfielder was adjudged to have clipped Caicedo together with his studs in the course of the park simply seconds earlier than his strike.
With Chelsea doing sufficient to assert native bragging rights and go away Stamford Bridge with all three factors, the Blues have skyrocketed their manner again into the top-four and have taken one other step in direction of a profitable Champions League return.
As for a struggling Tottenham, Spurs remarkably keep 14th within the standings and the strain on Ange Postecoglou’s shoulders stays firmly at a boiling level.
On an evening from Stamford Bridge that after once more produced loads of controversy, we’ve got taken a have a look at the primary speaking factors from west London.
Chelsea shore up their Champions League spot
Heading into March’s fortnight interval with a 1-0 loss by the hands of Arsenal, Maresca had made it clear that he was demanding an instantaneous response when his squad returned to west London right here.
Whereas the Blues might need endured a stuttering begin to 2025, it seems that Thursday’s hosts have turned a much-welcomed nook over the previous six weeks and so they have firmly received their Champions League cost again on monitor.
Leapfrogging soon-to-be former Premier League champions Manchester Metropolis right here, the previous Leicester boss has seen his squad win 5 of their earlier six appearances throughout all competitions.
Reserving their Europa Convention League quarter-final spot final month as they secured a 3-1 combination win towards Danish giants Copenhagen, it’s no secret that the Blues are pencilled in as a landslide European favorite this season.
Likewise, discovering some essential defensive metal of late, that 1-0 defeat towards Arsenal previous to March’s fortnight interval is the one objective that Chelsea have conceded of their final 4 outings.
The place subsequent for Massive Ange?
Enduring what has rapidly change into an notorious Premier League rut this season and breaking a string of undesirable data, there are massive sections of the north London assist which might be making their frustrations abundantly clear.
Heading into March’s worldwide break with a 2-0 defeat away at Fulham and firmly scrapping it out on the foot of the Premier League desk, Postecoglou finds the strain on his shoulders as soon as once more at a boiling level.
Placing only a single level on the board from any of their earlier 4 Premier League appearances, the previous Celtic boss is aware of that almost all of Tottenham supporters are itching for a change within the dugout this summer season.
Drastically failing to search out any type of stability this season and gaining a status for his or her obtrusive defensive struggles, Spurs are actually limping their manner over the ending line.
With the connection between Tottenham followers and Postecoglou showing to have fully damaged down, the Australian tactician is now bracing himself for an additional public backlash.
Chelsea’s dominance in west London proceed
Whereas Chelsea might need struggled to search out any type of fluidity on their travels to this point this calendar yr, Maresca’s males will take loads of positives away from their continued dominance in west London.
Overcoming their historic rivals right here, Thursday’s hosts have managed to show Stamford Bridge into considerably of a fortress since Maresca’s arrival within the capital final summer season.
Profitable all of their earlier six consecutive showdowns in SW6 throughout all competitions by an combination rating of 12-2, Chelsea have additionally suffered only a single defeat in entrance of their very own supporters since a 2-0 loss towards Manchester Metropolis on the opening weekend.
Together with Thursday’s gritty 1-0 victory, Maresca’s camp have additionally not conceded a single objective at Stamford Bridge in over 400 minuets of motion.
Subsequent up for Chelsea, the Blues face what might be one other fiery London showdown after they journey to native neighbours Brentford on Sunday afternoon.
Match Report
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Subs: Adarabioyo, James, Madueke, Dewsbury-Corridor
Tottenham: Vicario, Spence, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Bergvall, Maddison, Odobert, Son, Solande
Subs: Sarr, Johnson, Tel, Porro
Targets: Fernandez (50’)
Yellow Playing cards: Chelsea: Cucurella, Chalobah, Jackson, Palmer, Neto – Tottenham: Spence, Romero, Porro, Johnson, Sarr
Purple Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Craig Pawson
