Setting aside the result for one moment, this was a night of many victories for beleaguered Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri.
Match Report
Tottenham were left red-faced as a pair of sloppy goals dealt a significant blow to their Premier League title hopes in a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris allowed a Pedro strike to sneak between his legs just short of the hour, before a miscommunication between the France international and Kieran Trippier saw the full-back roll a backpass into an open net.
Coming on the back of Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Burnley, the loss leaves Spurs eight points adrift of second-place Manchester City and nine off leaders Liverpool.
Match Events
24' Kane appears to headbutt Azpilicueta
Kane, David Luiz and Azpilicueta exchange words after the England man puts the Chelsea centre-back under pressure from a kick back to Caballero. The ball was meant so that Chelsea could restart play, but David Luiz controlled it and played a poor backpass to the keeper, which Kane tried to capitalise on. The referee brings the incident quickly under control.
42' SHOT! Kane's shot wide out
Kane surges into the left inside channel, bundling his way through two challenges. He strikes at goal, only to see his effort blocked behind by Azpilicueta.
57' GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham (Pedro)
PEDRO SCORES A FINE GOAL!!! CHELSEA 1-0!!! The Blues open the scoring as Pedro carves open Tottenham at the back before providing a potent finish. He collects Azpilicueta's offload down the right flank and cuts inside the challenge from Alderweireld, embarrassing the Belgian. He strikes at goal on his left foot from a tight angle, placing the ball between the legs of Lloris. It's not one the Spurs skipper will want to see back again. Chelsea have control of the fixture now.
65' Kane misses a golden chance!
Davies collects an offload down the left and fires the ball across the face of goal. Lamela stoops, but fails to make contact. Kane is placed behind him, only to be distracted by his team-mate. The ball bounces off his leg and rolls wide of the target. A missed opportunity for the England captain.
84' OWN GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham (Trippier)
A NIGHTMARE FOR TRIPPIER AND LLORIS! For the second time of the game Lloris fails to cover himself in glory. A ball bounces awkwardly towards the edge of the box, and there is a dispute between Trippier and Lloris as to who should clear the ball.The defender wants his keeper to clear his lines, but he doesn't come forward. Trippier sidefoots the ball back to goal, but at that point Lloris had committed himself and the two men can only watch the ball cross the line. A terrible mix-up.
Player Ratings
Line-ups
Chelsea XI: G. Higuaín, D.Luiz, Azpilicueta, E. Hazard, W. Caballero, Pedro, M.Alonso, M. Kovačić, Jorginho, A. Rüdiger, N. Kanté
Subs: Willian, O. Giroud, Barkley, Kepa, A. Christensen, R. Loftus-Cheek, C. Hudson-Odoi
Tottenham XI: H. Lloris, M.Sissoko, T. Alderweireld, Lamela, C. Eriksen, K. Trippier, Son Heung-Min, H. Kane, B.Davies, Winks, D. Sánchez
Subs: F.Llorente, D. Rose, Wanyama, Lucas, Aurier, Gazzaniga, J.Foyth
SongTaiwo17
392
Even Higuain could not do the Trippier finish in 84 minutes. Trippier decided to teach him when he is comfortably on the bench....... 🤣🤣🤣
lukzlat910
365
Take off the mask Sarri....we know you're Kepa 😂😂
danyking
323
This definitely shows that Sarri listens to the fans and he is gradually learning English football. Possession does not win game most times at this present era of football, but the solidity of your team gets you win most times and can at least earn you draw. Happy for this massive 3points against a strong team to boost our hope for top 4. Sublime performance by the players and good tactical game from Sarri. On to the next!
roman_reigns_tz_ZNZ
292
that goal from tripier should be named goal of the week
sultrn
280
Sarriball works properly.
robjet07
198
Before the match: Kepa is better than Caballero After the match: Caballero is better than Kepa
Prince_Adebowale
182
Reborn Sarri
King_Keynan
75
Finally Sarri learned that possession didn't make goal he changed his tactics to fast attack and no wasting time for passes and possession Tottenham did more possession and no goal. Congrates to Sarri to improve himself as strong manager
ABenC
64
Tottenham Hotspur 4 games winning streak ends when Kane returned back from injury, they lost the last game and now again to Chelsea, back to back loss, coincidence? Sarri did the right choice by dropping "The Best" goalkeeper and beat Spurs, a morale winning game for Chelsea, well done.