Toothless Tottenham had been booed off as Chelsea recorded a fifth straight win over their London rivals, with Joao Pedro’s first-half objective giving them a 1-0 victory on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A sorry Spurs, who might have moved second with victory, recorded the bottom anticipated targets (0.05xG) by a Premier League workforce this season and their lowest on document since Opta began accumulating Premier League xG information in 2012/13.
Tottenham’s lack of creativity and spark as soon as once more proved an enormous situation as the house followers confirmed their frustration all through, as they watched their aspect fail to have a shot on course within the second half.
Loud boos greeted the full-time whistle as Chelsea deepened Spurs’ dwelling woes, with Thomas Frank’s aspect struggling a twelfth loss of their final 19 league video games on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Redknapp believed it was “one of the worst performances” he has seen from Tottenham.
Chelsea, who transfer into the highest 4, will really feel they need to have gained by a higher margin after Joao Pedro powered in a Thirty fourth-minute opener.
The Brazilian had the excellent Moises Caicedo, whom Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Carragher labelled a “monster in midfield”, to thank for ending his 10-game objective drought for membership and nation because the Ecuadorian robbed Micky van de Ven of the ball to beautifully tee up Pedro.
The objective got here after Xavi Simons, introduced on within the seventh minute as a concussion change for Lucas Bergvall, offered Van de Ven brief. The £51m signing, who was linked with Chelsea in the summertime, struggled to get better – and his night received worse as he was substituted off within the 73rd minute.
A depressing Spurs had been lucky to not concede a second in stoppage time as Chelsea substitute Jamie Gittens and Pedro missed superb probabilities.
Enzo Maresca’s aspect, although, comfortably noticed out the win for a fourth right away victory in all competitions that places them fourth within the Premier League and degree on factors with third-placed Spurs.
Evaluation: Caicedo is an attractive monster
Moises Caicedo dispossesses Pape Matar Sarr
Sky Sports activities’ Lewis Jones:
Generally this job is an actual privilege. Watching Moises Caicedo up shut was an actual thrill – even the Tottenham followers must agree. This was a efficiency that showcased every part you need from a world-class midfielder. Tenacious, clever, filled with high quality and affecting the sport within the remaining third. Jamie Redknapp known as him “world class, perhaps the best of his type in world football.”
It is exhausting to argue.
The £115m price ticket had appeared to hold round his neck like a glittering weight in his early days at Chelsea however we’re now seeing the participant that bulldozed opposition gamers at Brighton.
There’s one thing N’Golo Kanté-esque about him, not simply in engine or power, however in humility. He does not crave the highlight, he craves the ball. And when he will get it, the entire recreation dances to his tune. Xavi Simons regarded nearly frightened at occasions to dribble close to the Chelsea enforcer such was the domination within the duels.
He has that concern issue now. And that is one of many essential explanation why he is the very best on the earth at what he does.
Evaluation: Sanchez exhibits how one can cease Spurs
Sky Sports activities’ Lewis Jones:
To beat Tottenham seems to be easy in the mean time: defend set items correctly and also you’re onto a winner. Chelsea, who earlier than this recreation had conceded essentially the most anticipated targets from set items this season, stood up and had been counted in opposition to the Spurs set-piece machine that had blown away Everton final weekend.
Enzo Maresca’s aspect did not concede a single shot from set-piece conditions as Robert Sanchez commanded his space like he was the king of the skies. Sure, Spurs’ supply was unusually poor however the goalkeeper time-after-time took the strain off his defenders by coming to catch and purposefully punch clear excessive balls. In a season the place with the ability to defend your field beneath strain from lifeless balls counts for lots, Chelsea took an enormous step in the correct route with this resolute defensive exhibiting.
Opta stats: Chelsea spook Spurs but once more
- Chelsea have misplaced simply certainly one of their final 18 video games in opposition to Tottenham in all competitions (W14 D3), successful every of the final 5 in a row since a 2-0 loss in February 2023.
- Tottenham have gained simply three of their final 19 dwelling Premier League video games (D4 L12), with no ever-present aspect successful fewer dwelling matches throughout this era (since tenth November 2024 – degree with West Ham).
- Tottenham have misplaced three consecutive Premier League London derbies on dwelling soil for the primary time since April 2004, with the third defeat in that run additionally coming in opposition to Chelsea.
- Solely Wolves (4) have made extra errors resulting in opposition targets than Tottenham within the Premier League this season (3 – degree with Man Utd, Nottingham Forest & Fulham).
