A rare win at Stamford Bridge
Tottenham Hotspur won 2-0 at Chelsea on 24 October, a result [1] describes as only their second at Stamford Bridge in 36 years. [2] reports that the goals came from an error by Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders, which produced an own goal, and a strike from Mathys Tel. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was sent off after a second yellow card, and the game finished in chaos.
The win was not simply a case of Chelsea falling apart. Spurs had 68% of the possession, according to [3], which is a striking figure for an away side at a ground where they have so rarely won. Sky’s live coverage said Chelsea were [4], and Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso admitted to [5] that his side could have performed better.
It was also Tottenham’s second league win in six days, following the 3-1 home win over Coventry City on 19 October. Before that, the run was a draw at Manchester United, a home defeat to Aston Villa and a goalless draw with Everton.
The players who made the difference
Tel was the headline name. His goal at 87 minutes sealed the result, and [6] expects him to start the next match. [3] also named James Maddison as a key player in the win.
In midfield, Mateus Fernandes was singled out by [7] as outstanding. He had the most touches, passes, successful tackles and successful dribbles of any player in the match. That mix of ball-winning and ball-carrying is what lets a side hold 68% of possession without being picked off on the break. Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke were both summer signings, according to the same BBC report, so the recruitment is starting to show on the pitch.
The concern is Maddison. BBC Sport says he suffered a suspected groin injury, and the input carries conflicting availability flags: one source lists him as doubtful, another as out. Until the club says more, treat his place against Crystal Palace as uncertain.
Mood, manager and momentum
Roberto De Zerbi called it his best performance since arriving, according to [8], and said it meant more because it came against a local rival. BBC also credits the improvement partly to a recent team meeting that built better relationships and spirit within the squad.
Sandro Tonali backed that up in comments reported by [9]. He said the team had been much more cohesive since the previous week and spoke of a strong connection with De Zerbi, even while insisting AC Milan will always be his favourite club.
The caution is that Chelsea played much of the closing stretch with ten men, and one of the goals came from a goalkeeping error. A fan quoted by BBC hoped this marks the start of a positive run, but one night does not settle that. Sky’s verdict that the performance showed an [7] is encouraging. The next few matches will show whether it holds up when the opposition is at full strength.
What it means
The table still looks modest. Tottenham are 14th in the Premier League with 9 points from 8 games (two wins, three draws, three defeats), having scored 8 and conceded 10. A goal difference of minus two fits a side that has been inconsistent, and two wins in a row is the first sign of a pattern.
The form line tells a similar story. Of the last five results, three were wins or draws away from home or against lower-ranked opposition, and the only loss in that run was 3-2 at home to Aston Villa on 19 September. The two latest results, 3-1 against Coventry and 2-0 at Chelsea, add up to five goals scored and one conceded.
The next question is Crystal Palace on 31 October. This is a different kind of test: Tottenham will probably be expected to control the game, as they did at Stamford Bridge, and Maddison’s fitness may decide how they create chances. The site’s forecast for the match locks 24 hours before kick-off, so no prediction has been published yet. A third straight win would take Spurs above 12 points and into the top half’s reach, and a slip would put the Chelsea result back in the category of a one-off.
Sources
- BBC Sport: 'That is how De Zerbi wants to play' - Spurs fan on Chelsea win bbc.co.uk ↩
- Sky Sports: Spurs earn deserved win at Chelsea after Penders error and Palmer red skysports.com ↩
- BBC Sport: The candid meeting that 'changed' Spurs - are they finally on way back? bbc.co.uk ↩
- Sky Sports: Chelsea 'out-thought & out-fought' in Spurs defeat - reaction LIVE! skysports.com ↩
- BBC Sport: 'We could have played better' - Alonso disappointed after defeat bbc.co.uk ↩
- Sky Sports: Tel's sensational solo goal seals Spurs' win skysports.com ↩
- Sky Sports: Hits and misses: De Zerbi's 'complete team' and 'genius' Emery impress skysports.com ↩
- BBC Sport: 'Best performance since I arrived' - De Zerbi praises Spurs after win bbc.co.uk ↩
- Football Italia: Tottenham star Tonali admits: ‘Milan will always be my favourite team’ football-italia.net ↩
