Chelsea Football Club

There was little indication this was a friendly in the opening exchanges, with neither side holding back and several strong challenges made.

The deadlock was broken in the 17th minute when Sandro Tonali found the net with a deflected effort from the edge of the penalty area. But Alonso's side responded quickly as Estevao Willian escaped the attention of Andrew Robertson to head home at the back post.

An early second-half red card for Tottenham defender Kevin Danso changed the complexion of the game, with the Blues dominating the contest and creating several chances. Yet we were consistently denied by Antonin Kinsky in the Spurs goal.

And, having made several late changes, we were caught out in the final minute as Richarlison stabbed home from close range to win the game for Tottenham.

A rivalry renewed

The starting XI named by Alonso was one of experience. Teddy Sharman-Lowe began in goal; the back four consisted of Marco Palestra, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, who captained the Blues, and Jorrel Hato; Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo were in midfield; Estevao, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro started in attack.

Given the history and rivalry between the two sides, it was no surprise there was a genuine edge to the contest. Tackles not ordinarily seen in pre-season were made, one of which led to a yellow card for former Blue Conor Gallagher after just ten minutes.

Chances proved harder to carve out, with both teams dropping into their respective defence shapes when the other had possession. An early header glanced wide was the best either side offered in the opening exchanges.

Quick-fire goals

However, the deadlock was broken in the 17th minute. There was an element of fortune to the Tottenham goal, as a Tonali strike from the edge of the penalty area struck Colwill, wrong-footed Sharman-Lowe, and ended in the Chelsea net.

Alonso would have wanted a response from his side. It came quickly.

Good work from Lavia enabled him to progress the ball upfield to Gittens, and the Blues winger produced a cross that looped off Ben Davies to the back post. Estevao escaped the attention of Robertson to head home for his first goal of pre-season.

As the half progressed, Tottenham took control of possession. Yet the Blues defended well, with Sharman-Lowe's goal well protected.

Joao Pedro, again impressive, was our biggest threat and he was unfortunate to skew an opportunity wide while under pressure from inside the Spurs penalty area.

The final opportunity of the opening period was fashioned by Mathys Tel, who drove beyond three challenges and looked to beat Sharman-Lowe at his near post. But the Blues goalkeeper reacted well to save and the sides went in level at the break.

Unexpected red

One change was made by Alonso at half time: Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuili replaced Lavia. Tottenham made two, one of which was the introduction of Danso. The defender lasted four minutes.

There was little pressure when Archie Gray played a pass to the centre-back, but he let the ball run through his legs and Joao Pedro reacted quickly to break clear. The Blues' No.20 was brought down; it was a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

Few expected a dismissal given this was a pre-season game. However, referee Alex King went to his pocket and pulled out a red card. Danso was off.

Pushing for a winner

Palmer whipped the resultant free-kick narrowly wide, but the pattern of the second half was set. Chelsea attacked, Tottenham defended, and Kinsky denied the Blues with a string of fine saves.

The first was an excellent reaction stop to deny Estevao, who drilled a shot goalward after good work from Joao Pedro. Colwill then sliced the rebound over.

Our Brazilian winger was thwarted again minutes later. After the Blues reclaimed the ball in Tottenham's defensive third, Nicoll-Jazuli slipped Estevao in on goal, but Kinsky saved his low attempt.

Palmer was next to be left frustrated – he had a shot from inside the penalty area blocked – and Kinsky again came to Tottenham's rescue, saving a close-range effort from Joao Pedro after an attempted back pass from Robertson.

With ten minutes to play, Alonso made a raft of changes. Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr, Reggie Watson, Reggie Walsh, Omari Kellyman and Liam Delap were all introduced, and added to the entrances of Aaron Anselmino and Dastan Satpayev earlier in the half.

Tottenham's threat was minimal in the second period, but they did almost fashion a winner as a run forward from Spurs full-back Rio Kyerematen ended with the 21-year-old curling a shot against the crossbar.

There did prove to be a late sting for the Blues, though. As the game entered its final seconds, Jamie Donley struck the post for Spurs and Richarlison reacted quickest to poke home and seal victory.

What comes next...

It's on to Hong Kong for the Blues as we face Serie A side Juventus at Kai Tak Sports Park. General admission tickets and Club Chelsea’s VIP passes are available to buy now, so don't miss out!

The teams

Chelsea: Sharman-Lowe; Palestra (Acheampong 80), Fofana (Tosin 80), Colwill (Sarr 80), Hato (Anselmino 62); Essugo (Watson 80), Lavia (Nicoll-Jazuli 46); Estevao (Satpayev 69), Palmer (Walsh 80), Gittens (Kellyman 80); Joao Pedro (Delap 80)

Chelsea substitutes: Curd, Subuloye, Emenalo, Kavuma-McQueen

Goalscorers: Estevao 21

Tottenham Hotspur: Kinsky; Gray, van Hecke (Danso 46), Davies (Takai 81), Robertson (Kyerematen 72); Bergvall (Hall 72), Tonali (Donley 82), Gallagher (Hardy 54); Solomon (Moore 67), Solanke (Richarlison 46), Tel (Williams-Barnett 76

Tottenham Hotspur substitutes: Dubravka, Hall, Russell-Denny, Ajayi, Melia, Byrne, Tingey, Scarlett, Min-Hyeok

Goalscorers: Tonali 17, Richarlison 90+1

Booked: Gallagher 10

Sent off: Danso 49

ESTEVAO equaliser! 🙌 | Video | Official Site  Chelsea Football Club

Having made a winning start to our tour of Australia and Asia on Tuesday, defeating A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers, the Blues now face a more familiar opponent at Accor Stadium in a game you can watch live on CFC+.

We have faced Tottenham more than 180 times in our history, but never on Australian soil. It’s why Alonso appreciates the game is a unique opportunity for the Chelsea fans Down Under, in addition to being another important step in our pre-season programme.

He said: ‘For sure it’s special coming here to Sydney and playing a London derby. We are expecting a competitive game. It’s going to be a good test, but even though it’s pre-season it’s going to be a good game.

‘We want to use the time properly, collectively and individually. The players are committed with what we are doing. Game time is what they like – they like to train too, but they like to play more – so for each of them it’s a natural progression during pre-season.’

Tonight’s game brings an end to our first week on tour – and the Blues will depart Sydney tomorrow for the second leg of our tour in Hong Kong. Alonso is enjoying the time with his players, and the opportunity to work closely with them on and off the pitch.

He said: ‘We need all the players to be in a good mood and mindset to create this team spirit.

'We are missing some players who will join after the tour, but the ones who are here we are spending time getting to know them as people. We know the players very well, but we need to know them as people as well.’

Watch live on CFC+!

You can watch Chelsea vs Tottenham live on CFC+ with a single match pass starting at £9.99. At the same time, a full CFC+ subscription costs just £14.99 for the year, and includes all our pre-season games as well as a plethora of additional exclusive Chelsea content.

The game at Accor Stadium is the second of our summer tour, and we are facing a familiar Premier League foe in the shape of Spurs, who finished 17th in the top flight last season.

Teddy Sharman-Lowe begins in goal for the Blues and will be protected by a back four of Marco Palestra, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, who captains the side, and Jorrel Hato.

Romeo Lavia starts in midfield alongside Dario Essugo and the attack consists of Estevao Willian, Cole Palmer and Jamie Gittens behind striker Joao Pedro.

Chelsea: Sharman-Lowe; Palestra, Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Essugo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro

Chelsea substitutes: Curd, Acheampong, Tosin, Subuloye, Sarr, Anselmino, Emenalo, Watson, Kellyman, Nicoll-Jazuli, Walsh, Kavuma-McQueen, Satpayev, Delap

You can watch Chelsea vs Tottenham live on CFC+ with a single match pass starting at £9.99. At the same time, a full CFC+ subscription costs just £14.99 for the year, and includes all our pre-season games as well as a plethora of additional exclusive Chelsea content.

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur | Video | Official Site  Chelsea Football Club

The Blues opened pre-season with a thrilling 6-4 victory over local side Western Sydney Wanderers, when Dastan Satpayev, Dario Essugo and Jamie Gittens found the net, before a stunning nine-minute hat-trick by Brazilian strike Joao Pedro sealed the win.

Next up, we take on Tottenham in the first-ever London derby between the two sides to be played outside of the capital, as we return for a second match at Stadium Australia, again kicking off at 10.45am UK time, on Saturday 1 August.

Supporters can watch the game live on the Chelsea Official App and website by subscribing to CFC+ for just £14.99 per year, with CFC+ giving you access to the live streams for all of Chelsea's pre-season fixtures.

It is not just the venue which will be a first for this fixture, as Chelsea's new 2026/27 away kit will also be making its debit on the pitch in this game. Featuring a black base with the same Midwest Gold trim as our home strip, the fresh shirt will be worn in action by the Blues for the first time against Spurs on Saturday.

The 20-year-old defender is part of the squad which has travelled abroad during the summer on tour, starting with back-to-back games in Sydney, Australia, alongside the usual rigorous training schedule to prepare for the upcoming campaign.

Pre-season always gives players a chance to get to know any new team-mates and, in this case, a new manager and his coaching staff. Acheampong discussed what Alonso expects from his defenders, as well as revealing the Spaniard can still demonstrate the talents which made him a UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup winner as a player.

‘I think the main thing he wants from us is to defend first, to be fair,’ said Acheampong. ‘Obviously, he also likes defenders that can play on the ball, so it's just about asking and learning, to be honest.

‘I was watching YouTube clips of him when I was younger – and still now just to learn. I feel like because he can demonstrate it – like, for example, his passing, he'll just do it and then it's like: "Wow”. So you can see first-hand what it's like to be on that level, so it’s good.

‘I swear, a couple of training sessions ago, he was just like: "Josh". Then he just zinged a few balls to me, and I was feeling the pressure! I was like: "I don't know how he does it so effortlessly", but it's good.’

Despite his young age, Acheampong is no stranger to spending his summer on tour with the senior team, first doing so in the USA two years ago. But while pre-season is already familiar to him, he believes he has changed a lot since his first tour, thanks to his regular involvement in the first team during that time.

‘It’s not too different,’ he continued. ‘I feel like I‘ve still got the same excitement and hunger and just trying to enjoy it as much as possible.

‘I think I've learned a lot since the first tour. Off the pitch I've got a lot more confident, I'd say. It's been good to connect with new people and then, on the pitch, I feel like there's still a lot more to come from me. I feel like game by game, every session, I'm learning more.

‘Obviously playing games, growing closer to my team-mates, and I can help the younger lads as well. Even though I'm young myself, I can help them.

‘Because I've been in their situation, I feel like I can give them some advice, and they're already nice people, so it's good.’

That experience has taught Acheampong the importance of getting into the happy habit of winning football matches, even during pre-season when there are no points on offer for the victors, leaving him pleased to have kicked off our time in Australia by beating Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4.

‘100 per cent, I think that’s the whole thing we're going for this season. It's mentality, that winning mentality. So to start with a win was good.

‘It was nice to see the fans too, especially the ones who have travelled. It's a big commitment, so it's always nice to see the fans.’

Those supporters are always happy to see Chelsea win, but never more so than when it is against our local rivals Tottenham. Our next match sees the Blues return to Stadium Australia to face Spurs in the first London derby between the two sides played outside the capital.

In addition to the rivalry, it is a game which has added significance for our defender, who made his senior Chelsea debut in a Premier League win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, shortly before joining that pre-season tour in 2024.

‘That experience of my debut all went quite quickly, to be honest,’ he recalls. ‘I didn't really expect it, but it's kind of like the start of my journey. So every time I play Tottenham, I feel like it just holds a special place in my heart – and it's always nice to beat them!

‘When it's that fixture, there are no friendlies. So it’ll be good.’

Alonso Press Conference 🎙️ | Video | Official Site  Chelsea Football Club

Xabi Alonso and his players are nearing the end of their time in Australia, with our final training session Down Under taking place this morning at Sky Park, Sydney FC's centre of excellence.

However, before the squad departed the team hotel, it was confirmed that Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson had joined the group in Sydney.

The duo were not part of the initial travelling party due to their involvement at the FIFA World Cup with Ecuador and Senegal respectively, but will now get down to work as our preparations for the new campaign continue.

It was another intense workout for the group, with every player put through their paces by the Blues manager and his staff.

The pre-match media duties followed, with Alonso confirming during his press conference that midfielder Romeo Lavia, who didn't play against Western Sydney Wanderers, is ready to feature against Spurs.

He also touched upon the 'special charm' of the Premier League, with our long-time rivalry with Tottenham set to be renewed more than 10,000 miles away from London.

Alonso explained: 'Wherever you go in the world, Australia, New Zealand, or next week when we go to Hong Kong, we feel the support. We have had a great reception here and we expect a great atmosphere tomorrow (Saturday).

'That's why the Premier League is so special in the world – and that's why it's so engaging for all the football fans.'

After Alonso faced the television cameras, it was the turn of Cole Palmer. The England international discussed how he had spent his rare summer off and spoke happily about the signing of his good friend, Morgan Rogers, who joined the Blues last week from Aston Villa.

The two share more than just a bond away from the pitch. On it, they have the same celebration. Although, as Palmer joked, he is the one who can legally call it his own.

'We've not even spoken about it,' said the 24-year-old. 'It's just one of them. He does it, I do it. But I've trademarked it...so if he tries to do anything, he'll have bailiffs at his door!

'No, we'll do it together.'

While the evening was a quiet one for the players, former Blues captain Gary Cahill, who has spent the week with us in Sydney, attended a supporters' event at The Sporting Globe.

After reflecting on his playing career with the Blues with club reporter Lee Parker, Cahill signed shirts and posed for photographs with the fans who had travelled from across Australia to attend the event and tomorrow's game against Spurs at Accor Stadium.

In just a few days the Blues face Serie A side Juventus in Hong Kong and you can experience every moment with Club Chelsea VIP Passes.

Live stream: This match will be available to watch live on the Chelsea Official App and Chelsea website with a CFC+ subscription. You can get more details and sign up here. We will not be showing the match to users in Australia and New Zealand.

Chelsea's Matchday Live: Fans can follow minute-by-minute updates throughout the game on the Chelsea Official App and our website's Chelsea vs Tottenham Match Centre.

Our Match Centre is the place to get the confirmed Chelsea starting XI as soon as it is announced, while you can also follow the action with live text updates, stats and imagery throughout the game.