Olivier Giroud returned to the starting XI and the scoresheet in the nick of time for Chelsea, inspiring a precious win against Tottenham.
PL Standings
Match Report
Chelsea reinforced their grip on fourth place in the Premier League with a much-needed 2-1 win over rivals Tottenham as Olivier Giroud scored his first club goal since August.
Frank Lampard's men were four without a win in the top flight coming into this clash at Stamford Bridge and had seen their advantage over Spurs cut to just a point in the battle for the Champions League places.
But former manager Jose Mourinho could not inflict a further setback on the Blues, as Giroud, who had a goal disallowed against Manchester United on Monday, made the most of his first league start of 2020.
Marcos Alonso - another of four Chelsea changes - brilliantly doubled his side's lead shortly after half-time, and Lampard's side held on despite a luckless late own goal from Antonio Rudiger.
Match Events
10' CHANCE! Lucas' shot denied by Caballero
Lucas displays quick feet on the edge of the box after being teed up Bergwijn. He drills a low strike towards goal, but Caballero gets down to make the stop.
14' CLOSE! Barkley's shot inches wide
Barkley surges forward down the right flank and he takes the opportunity to fire at goal from distance, but he curls his effort just wide of the left post.
15' GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham (Giroud)
Jorginho releases the run of the Frenchman behind the Spurs defence. He creates room for a low strike that is well saved by the body of Lloris. Barkley latches on to the rebound and blasts his effort with his left boot on to the post. However, the rebound falls kindly for the home side as Giroud collects and smashes his effort into the back of the net from 10 yards.
23' CLOSE! Alonso's shot inches wide
Alonso latches on to a loose ball on the edge of the Spurs box and connects with a right-footed volley. He catches it flush and it soars towards the top corner, but just drifts narrowly over the bar.
48' GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham (Alonso)
Giroud, Mount and Barkley combine down the right flank, with the latter rolling a pass towards the Spaniard on the edge of the box. Alonso goes for the strike first time and he connects with his left-footed effort, drilling it into the bottom-right corner giving Lloris no chance.
52' Lo Celso escapes red after stamping on Azpilicueta
Lo Celso is late on Azpilicueta, catching the Spaniard on the ankle with his studs raised. VAR takes a second look at the incident after the Tottenham man was initially not punished.
79' Unbelievable! What a miss from Abraham
Mount gets the better of Vertonghen down the right with a neat spin. He sends a perfect low ball towards Abraham in the middle, but the forward is denied by a brilliant save from Lloris on the line.
89' OWN GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham (Rudiger)
A lifeline for Spurs late in the game as Lamela's low ball into the middle deflects off Rudiger to find the back of the net. The Argentine surges down the left flank and forces a low ball towards Alli. Unfortunately for Rudiger, he makes the interception but it deflects off his ankle and past Caballero at his near post. There will be no clean sheet for the Blues.
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