De Zerbi describes Spurs as 'complete team' after Chelsea victory

Roberto De Zerbi believes Tottenham have shown they are now a "complete team", after their revival continued with a 2-0 win over Chelsea.

Spurs, who have a dismal historic record at Stamford Bridge, only winning there once in 34 attempts in the Premier League prior to Saturday (D11 L22), built on Monday's 3-1 success over Coventry City with a morale-boosting derby win.

A calamitous own goal from Mike Penders and a glorious solo effort from Mathys Tel clinched back-to-back victories for Spurs, while Chelsea had Cole Palmer sent off.

It was the first instance of Spurs winning to nil at Stamford Bridge in any competition since December 1986 (2-0), and their first win there by any scoreline since April 2018 (3-1).

And the result did not flatter De Zerbi's men, either, as they restricted Chelsea to just seven shots – the Blues' fewest in a Premier League game this season and their lowest tally in a home match since January (six versus Brentford).

Though Spurs got a helping hand when Penders' attempted punch sailed over his own goal-line, they racked up 15 shots and 0.74 expected goals, with Chelsea tallying 0.43 xG.

"It was a big moment for the fans, the club and the players also. They deserved this win, they prepared very well," De Zerbi told Sky Sports afterwards.

"We are improving a lot, we are improving in our mentality and the relationships with the players, and then we are improving on the pitch.

"Against Aston Villa, and Everton for 30 minutes, we were playing very well. Maybe with no goals, with finishing that was not good enough, and then in the first bad moment we changed mentality. 

"Now it is a complete team. The players are playing better, we improved in our style. When we stay for dinner and stay together in the dressing room I see a different group, a different relationship and a different atmosphere among the players."

And the Italian puts that improved harmony down to a bonding and warm weather training trip Spurs made to Marbella ahead of the victory over Coventry. 

"The character was great today, but we have many, many new players," he added. "The players who were here last season, two or three seasons ago, they suffered those results, finishing 17th two times – we are working to change the last part of the history of the club. 

"We are lucky because we have many great people in the dressing room, many great players. I think if we work hard, we can do something important.

"I have to believe in this group, for sure. I never lost confidence in my players.

"The week in Marbella, to speak better face to face, to open ourselves up and remove the mask, that was important.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is maybe more important than the tactics."

Spurs are now up to 12th in the Premier League table with nine points, only four adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.