Chelsea moved level on points with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday evening, defeating their rivals 1-0 in north London.
Enzo Maresca’s side dominated the first half, his players’ pressing repeatedly causing problems for Spurs. Joao Pedro almost profited from a high turnover after 31 minutes, only to see his shot saved by Guglielmo Vicario. Three minutes later, the Brazilian put his side into the lead after some ferocious and effective tackling from the impressive Moises Caicedo once again robbed the hosts in a dangerous location.
A fixture that rarely sees a lack of incident also saw a flashpoint in first-half stoppage time, with a foul on Reece James earning Rodrigo Bentancur a booking, plus another for Trevoh Chalobah for his reaction.
Spurs continued to toil after the break, but picked up more yellow cards than they had shots, and it was Chelsea who came closest to adding another goal, with both Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro missing big chances in injury time — both chances coming after a free kick from the home side had been wasted. Thomas Frank’s evening concluded with loud boos from the home supporters.
Elias Burke, Simon Johnson and Mark Carey analyse the key moments from an intense encounter.
What does this result mean for Spurs?
Tottenham appeared to make strides in boosting their threat from open play over the last two games, with last week’s 3-0 win over Everton in the Premier League one of their most complete performances of the season.
And while they did not get on the scoresheet against Newcastle United in midweek, they appeared more fluid and dangerous with a rotated side than they have done for most of Frank’s tenure. Unfortunately, they lacked any of that inspiration this evening.
Randal Kolo Muani has impressed in recent weeks but failed to make anything from the poor service he received. Xavi Simons was substituted on the 73rd minute after replacing the concussed Lucas Bergvall. Kudus, who has been Tottenham’s most consistent attacking outlet this term, was largely anonymous. In one of their biggest matches of the season — a fixture that tends to lead to fireworks — Spurs barely turned up.
Even their set pieces were easily dealt with by Chelsea, a side that has looked fragile from dead-ball situations this season. With 10 minutes left, Spurs fans filtered out of the stadium with no sign of improvement.
Tottenham have won just four home league matches in a year. To realise their ambitions of fighting for a Champions League place, their form must improve. For that to happen, early evidence under Frank suggests that something must change — either tactically or personnel-wise — in their approach.
Elias Burke
How big a result is this for Chelsea?
Chelsea have made a habit of beating Tottenham away from home and it was important they carried on the trend this evening. When the game kicked off, Chelsea were sitting 11th in the table and in danger of coming under some negative scrutiny over how the campaign has begun.
There is something about Spurs that consistently gets the best out of them — well, certainly for the best part of the past four decades.
Chelsea fans used to affectionately call Tottenham’s former ground ‘three-point lane’ due to the regularity with which they won there.
The club have made the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium their second home, too. This is their sixth victory here in seven attempts, which is the best record of any team in the Premier League.
More importantly, it has lifted them level with their fierce London rivals and into the top four — and given a major injection of belief into the dressing room.
The manner in which they dominated Frank’s side for long periods surely made pleasant viewing for Maresca. The only negative was that they scored just once and had a nervous finish before securing the three points.
Simon Johnson
In praise of Caicedo’s tenacity
There is quite a debate going on right now about who the best midfielder in the Premier League is, and Caicedo is very much at the centre of it.
His role in Chelsea’s goal 11 minutes before half-time is why his candidacy has to be taken seriously. The Ecuador international showed the hunger and tenacity you need to win a derby against a fierce rival.
It is not as if Tottenham were not warned. Danso was the first to get caught in possession just outside the area, but the home side got away with it.
Perhaps that lulled them into a false sense of security because Caicedo was at it again just seconds later. Simons was guilty of a slow pass back to Micky van de Ven, but the Spurs captain seemed to be blissfully unaware of the threat as Caicedo closed in rapidly.
The 23-year-old took the ball off him like a child trick-or-treating last night.
Caicedo was not satisfied with that, bursting into the area to half tackle/half square the ball for Joao Pedro to convert. No wonder the latter made an issue of giving Caicedo some credit as he celebrated.
Simon Johnson
Why did Bergvall have to come off so early?
As Bergvall established himself in the Tottenham side last season, it became evident that he’s not just an elite talent but a warrior.
So, when Enzo Fernandez unintentionally kicked the ball off the back of his head inside the first few minutes, knocking him to the ground, his reaction naturally caused concern among the Tottenham medical staff.
After the ball hit his head, Bergvall was knocked off balance, stumbling in a circle until he eventually appeared to fall to the floor. Even after Bergvall had got back to his feet, he continued holding his head, appearing dazed.
Having noticed his condition, referee Jarred Gillett waved on Tottenham’s medical staff, who quickly ran onto the pitch and performed a medical examination on the 20-year-old. Having clearly sustained a head injury, the medical staff signalled Bergvall should be replaced, but the Sweden international was reluctant to leave the pitch.
While his replacement, Simons, was preparing himself on the sidelines, Bergvall continued protesting — appearing to wrestle with one member of the medical staff. Frank intervened with Bergvall in the technical area, sending his player down the tunnel. Given Bergvall’s condition, the decision to remove him from the game to receive medical attention appeared correct and sensible, especially with how dangerous concussions can be.
Elias Burke
Are Spurs still searching for an attacking identity?
Tottenham’s issues with ball progression are well-established this season, and little changed on Saturday evening.
Chelsea pressed Spurs well at times, but there were all too many occasions where the ball was being predictably circulated with few options ahead, forcing Spurs’ midfielders or full-backs to turn back and start again. Cue groans from the home fans.
Stitching the defence and forward line together continues to plague Frank’s side, but the alternative method of attack did not prove to be much better. Kolo Muani started as the central striker, and Spurs did occasionally bypass Chelsea’s press by playing the ball directly up to the French international, but the ball rarely — if ever — stuck in the opposition half.
Chelsea’s centre-backs would often win the first aerial duel against Kolo Muani, but the second balls — becoming an increasingly important part of the Premier League this season — were also won by the away side more often than not.
Pape Matar Sarr’s role behind Kolo Muani did provide athleticism through the centre of the pitch, but the two rarely had the opportunity to connect with each other via aerial flick-ons or neat link-up play.
With Joao Palhinha and Bentancur acting as protecting midfielders, the pair were too deep when Kolo Muani was contesting any aerial duels — making the disconnect between midfield and attack even more pronounced.
Frank’s side are caught between a rock and a hard place at times. They struggle to work the ball through the thirds, but they were equally poor when going direct.
Mark Carey
How impressive was Chelsea’s press?
You could argue that Tottenham’s build-up play was a little laboured at times, but equal credit must go to Chelsea’s aggressive pressing high up the field.
Caicedo’s tenacity was key to Chelsea’s opener in the first half as Spurs failed to clear their lines, with intelligent positioning from all of Maresca’s players to lock off the passing options and force the home side into mistakes.
Chelsea won possession in the attacking third on several occasions on Saturday evening, the second-highest tally of their Premier League campaign behind their season opener against Crystal Palace. It was not only the possession regains, but the purposeful attacking approach when they did win it back — going straight for the jugular in creating a further chance rather than recirculating the ball.
In the end, it was that proactive approach that won them the game — but it was a constant theme throughout.
Mark Carey
What did Frank say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What did Maresca say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for Spurs?
Tuesday, November 4: Copenhagen (home), Champions League, 8pm UK, 3pm ET
What next for Chelsea?