Setting aside the result for one moment, this was a night of many victories for beleaguered Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri.
2018/2019 Premier League
2-0
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