Tottenham secured their first win at Stamford Bridge since 2018, beating Chelsea on a wet evening in west London. The victory marked back-to-back league wins for only the third time in the last 12 months and was just their second in 42 attempts at Chelsea's home ground, and their second in 15 games home or away against the Blues.
De Zerbi's Influence Takes Shape
Under Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs are developing a fearlessness and identity that troubled Xabi Alonso's Chelsea side throughout the night. Without Joao Pedro, Chelsea struggled to assert the authority they have been used to in this fixture, and Spurs capitalised with a punchy performance that revived a season that had looked to be slipping away before the international break.
De Zerbi took a risk in starting James Maddison, who was withdrawn early in the second half, but the Englishman's quick feet and ability to find space between the lines gave Spurs confidence and a platform to push for a historic victory. As against Manchester United two weeks ago, Spurs played with intent and direction, dictating the game on their terms.
Midfield Duo Step Up
The midfield pivot of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali was given a rare chance to impress, and their composure, physicality and intent gave Spurs the edge. Spurs spent £185million to bring the pair to the club over the summer, but their minutes together have been limited, with Fernandes adapting to a new club and new expectations.
Injuries and suspensions gave De Zerbi little option other than to start Fernandes, but he excelled with a performance combining neat first-time passes with arcing switches of play and an unshakeable robustness in a game where challenges flew in from all angles.
Rare Win Over Chelsea
Spurs, winless in their previous four away games this season, brought power and passion to the occasion, while Chelsea wilted as the weather closed in. Spurs came back from the international break re-energised; they were unlucky to only take a point against United, and showed their ruthlessness to beat a stubborn Coventry side on Monday.
The opening goal may have been a stroke of luck, with Mike Penders punching the ball into his own net, but there was nothing fortunate about the final result, and Mathys Tel's finish from the edge of the box was no less than they deserved. De Zerbi knows what this result means; unblemished by what has gone before, he and his players have written their own history in this fixture and given themselves the result and performance their well-heeled new era needed after a stuttering start.
