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It’s only the second match of our preparations for the 2026-27 season. But it also being a derby versus Tottenham Hotspur, this clearly had higher stakes than usual for both sides.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso chose to go forward with the strongest lineup he could muster, and it made a difference from kick-off. The Blues had the lion’s share of possession and also of attacking forays whereas Tottenham were happy to resort to fouling akin to a full-on Premier League match. So much so that former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher got a yellow card on a foul that could have been a red instead, only 10 minutes into the match.

Still the ball punishes. While the Blues were the better side so far, you can’t afford not generating any shots from so many advances into the opposition’s defensive third. Duly so Spurs scored on their first real attack and shot on goal, with a very unlucky deflection helping Sandro Tonali’s long range effort beat Teddy Sharman-Lowe for the opening goal.

We couldn’t let them have it. Estêvão, with a headed effort from Jamie Gittens’ cross at the far post, found us the equaliser less than five minutes after Tonali’s goal.

The Blues were the best side in the remainder of the first half. They weren’t able to capitalise on it.

Heading into the first half with only one sub on our side, we had a true Spursy moment with Kevin Danso getting a red card from a DOGSO on João Pedro. This however wouldn’t really improve our shot-taking qualities as Estêvão and then Levi Colwill missed point-blank shots at goal to get us ahead of savedright after the event.

As the barrage of substitutions took place balance of play didn’t change. It did look increasingly likely that we’d head into a draw in regular time.

Spurs and our defence had a different plan. In the last minute of the game, Richarlison got the win over the Blues for his club and saved us from a meaningless penalty dispute.

Good for them, I guess.

Estêvão, Cole Palmer and João Pedro starting.

Pitch has gotten worse. The match marathon from this tour surely doesn’t help its recovery.

Looks like a three-man defence with Jorrel Hato joining Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill while Marco Palestra pushes forward on the right flank.

While Romeo Lavia got himself in trouble in the beginning of Estêvão’s equaliser, this kind of press-beating dribbling is also what he does best.

Playing versus 10 in a friendly is not ideal but the rules of the game are still the rules of the game here.

Next up: Juventus at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.

KTBFFH.

A London derby taking place in Australia. The place down under is not particularly hot this time around, but things can get heated whenever Chelsea and Tottenham clash on the pitch.

Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1):

Sharman-Lowe | Palestra, Fofana, Colwill (c), Hato | Essugo, Lavia | Estevão, Palmer, Gittens | João Pedro

Substitutes from: Curd, Subuloye, Tosin, Sarr, Anselmino, Emenalo, Acheampong, Walsh, Watson, Nicoli-Jazuli, Satpayev, Kellyman, Kavuma-McQueen, Delap

Tottenham starting eleven:

Kisnky | Gray, Van Hecke, Davies, Robertson, Gallagher, Tonali, Solomon, Bergvall, Tel, Solanke

Substitutes from: Dubravka, Danso, Takai, Byrne, Hardy, Tingey, Tyrese Hall, Kyerematen, Min-hyeok, Tye Hall, Richarlison, Scarlett, Moore, Williams-Barnett, Melia, Ajayi

Date / Time: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 7:45pm local time; 10:45 BST; 5:45am EDT

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia

On TV: none; elsewhere

Streaming: Paramount+ (USA), FanCode (India); StarTimes (NGA); CFC+ (UK/int’l) — CFC+ is Chelsea’s new-ish premium(?) streaming service so if your region does not have a rights-holder, you can watch there for £9.99 (or buy all six preseason games for just a little more at £14.99; or subscribe for the whole year for a little bit more at £19.99)

Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!

For the second preseason friendly of the summer tour, Chelsea will take on customary punching bags Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow night in Sydney, which will be the last bit of action for us in Australia before moving on to the Southeast Asia portion of the tour.

Spurs are of course familiar foes source of three points in the Premier League, and that will add an extra bit of spice to this preseason friendly. As Josh Acheampong put it, “there are no friendlies” when it comes to Tottenham.

That said, this is still just a friendly, for both teams. The main focus is fitness, avoiding injuries, and molding the team in Xabi Alonso’s image. The manager was decently happy with the 6-4 goalfest in our first friendly, against A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers, but he also saw a lot of familiar failings, which he’d want us to work on as much as possible.

“There were moments that we were struggling to find solutions, and we need to have this. The positives are that we corrected them, but there were moments that the game management is something that we can learn from today. […] You need to have this game intelligence to do the things. And we will need to do it quick, because the competition is in just a month, and we want to get ready for that. But we need to manage that. That’s so important in football nowadays.”

-Xabi Alonso; source: ESPN

And Spurs are likely to provide a tougher challenge in every regard than WSW.

Date / Time: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 7:45pm local time; 10:45 BST; 5:45am EDT

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia

Forecast: Another mild winter’s day in Sydney, possibly with a shower or two

On TV: none; elsewhere

Streaming: Paramount+ (USA), FanCode (India); StarTimes (NGA); CFC+ (UK/int’l) — CFC+ is Chelsea’s new-ish premium(?) streaming service so if your region does not have a rights-holder, you can watch there for £9.99 (or buy all six preseason games for just a little more at £14.99; or subscribe for the whole year for a little bit more at £19.99)

Chelsea team news: Since Tuesday’s friendly, Filip Jörgensen has left camp to complete a move to RC Strasbourg and Moisés Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson have shown up, though are not likely to feature in match action just yet. With nearly 30 players on the tour now, and a couple more joining shortly (Geovany Quenda and the newly reinstated Mykhailo Mudryk), this game might be the last opportunity for some of the youngsters in the squad. Of the kids, Landon Emenalo and Dastan Satpaev have arguably impressed the most thus far, so hopefully that won’t apply to them just yet.

Also since Tuesday, Chelsea completed the signing of Maxence Lacroix (currently on post-World Cup holidays still) and are close to finalizing the signings of kindergarten cops Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson. They will surely join the tour at some point soon as well (alongside Morgan Rogers, Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernández, barring any new bits of transfer drama).

Alonso opted for a very youthful starting lineup against Western Sydney, before introducing the big-hitters late in the second half (including João Pedro, who scored three times in the span of about ten minutes). I’d guess the manager will go slightly stronger look to start this one.

Spurs team news: Having barely survived the drop last season, it’s been a monumental summer of rebuilding for Spurs under Roberto De Zerbi, which has seen them spend nearly a quarter billion pounds on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, and Jan Paul van Hecke, while also adding Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and Martin Dúbravka on free transfers. No one of note has left (yet), unless you count Yves Bissouma (released) and Luka Vušković, who was on loan last season before going to Brighton for a cool £50m. Remember the name before BlueCo inevitably come calling for him in a couple years for three times as much.

Speaking of Chelsea players, Conor Gallagher is hoping that the new season will be like a fresh start for all involved. I wish them zero success in that regard. Sorry, Con.

“It is a lot more enjoyable to not be in the position we were at the end of last season. it is a fresh start with fresh players. Everyone is so happy […] it doesn’t feel like a new club but it feels like a fresh kind of start. Everyone is excited to make things better.”

-Conor Gallagher; source: Tottenham Hotspur FC

This will be Spurs’ fourth official preseason match already, having played (and beaten) MK Dons, Auckland FC, and, earlier this week, Sydney FC. They needed penalties to earn that last victory, but any concerns about that paled in comparison to the concerns they had about new signing Fernandes, who missed the game entirely with a knee concern picking up in training. Initial fears of an ACL tear would subside, though the 22-year-old also won’t feature against us, with what’s being called “fatigue” in his calf. Van de Ven will also miss out, for similar reasons (in fact, he’s not played at all in preseason yet following his involvement at the World Cup), while James Maddison has been shut down for the rest of preseason as he tries to complete his recovery from the ACL tear that caused him to miss practically all of last season.

View from the enemy: Cartilage Free Captain

Previously: Chelsea did the double over Spurs last season, and the season before that, and the season before that as well. That’s six wins in a row, if you’re counting, and we’re definitely are. That last time we played Spurs in a “friendly” however was five years ago, under Thomas Tuchel, when we battled to a 2-2 draw at a nearly full, post-pandemic Stamford Bridge. Hakim Ziyech scored twice for the Champions of Europe before the visitors came back with two goals of their own in the final thirty or so minutes.

I guess the key question is, who was on the other end of the line?

It’s not the first time Enzo’s done the phone call celebration, so let’s just leave it at the ambiguous notion that he’s answering the call — the call to action, the call to motivation, the call to perform, the call to lead, the call to win.

One goal, one assist. Three points and a win against Spurs.

And for just a fleeting moment, everything felt right with the world.

Hato’s finishing the season in great form, and I’m excited to see how he fits into Xabi Alonso’s plans, especially if we go to a back-three (and/or if, Marc Cucurella were to leave).

Having to make last-ditch tackles is not exactly the best plan of action in defending, but if you have to resort to one, it doesn’t get much better than the on from Hato against James Maddison in the final few minutes.

Getting the winner against Spurs is not a bad way to go about scoring your first Premier League goal!

But beyond just that, it’s been a pretty decent first full season at Chelsea for the young midfielder — never easy making the jump from Loan Army to regular first-team rotation — and he even got close to going to the World Cup with Brazil as a result.

We’re obviously better if Enzo sticks around, but Santos has great promise at 22 and could make the needed step up if he had to. We’ve got Valentín Barco coming in as well of course, so our midfield options should remain strong either way.

vs. SPURS (PL, H, W 2-1)

EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): —

EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): Enzo (8.2)

GOOD (6.5-7.4): Hato (7.4), Santos (6.9), Sánchez (6.7), Palmer (6.6), Caicedo (6.4)

AVERAGE (5.5-6.4): Cucurella (6.3), Acheampong (6.2), Neto (5.7), Chalobah (5.6, sub), Fofana (5.9)

SUBPAR (4.5-5.4): Sarr (5.4, sub), Essugo (5.4, sub), Mheuka (5.3, sub)

BAD (3.5-4.4): Garnacho (4.0, sub), Delap (3.9)

TERRIBLE (2.5-3.4): —

“It was obvious from minute one that we didn’t, at times, have the energy and the intensity that we needed. We had it in patches, it was always going to be tough with the turnaround from the cup final. The physical and psychological load that that put on us, we knew that was going to be the case.

“[We] just needed to dig in for the result. I thought we’d done well at the end [and] it was a real team performance. […] There were lads out there tonight that were dead on their feet. But the crowd and the enthusiasm and the drive from the crowd […] just push a little bit extra.”

Both teams had something to play for, but only Chelsea seemed to want to do something about it at first, with the visitors offering very little, outside of a few enterprising runs from Mathys Tel, who seemed to be under the impression that it was 30°C outside and really needed to tuck up one leg of his shorts. Didn’t help his finishing, that’s for sure.

Chelsea weren’t particularly dangerous either, and the game featured zero shots on target from either side through the first quarter hour. But Chelsea were the better side, and we got our reward through Enzo Fernández, who showed off some rarely seen shooting skill from range to give us the 1-0 lead on 18 minutes.

That would be all for the first half, with the second half then continuing on in similar vein. Spurs did start coming forward a bit more to look for that point to save themselves from relegation, but that left a bit more space for Chelsea as well. And we would take advantage of that as Enzo turned provided to set up Andrey Santos and give us the 2-0 lead halfway through the period.

Alas, Spurs would quickly get one back through a scuffed backheel attempt finding its way to a wide open Richarlison, setting up a slightly nervy final 15 minutes. Jorrel Hato made one tremendous last ditch tackle on Spurs’ best chance, and that Maddison chance was thankfully the closest Spurs would get to an equalizer.

Things got a bit heated in the final minutes, not unsurprisingly, and at one point we spent a solid two minutes just wrestling in the penalty area on a defensive corner,

Back to a back-four with Fofana and Hato in the center and Colwill rested for workload concerns

Acheampong’s first start in 13 games

Our first Premier League win in two and a half months

Alas, Man City failed to beat Bournemouth in the other game today, which means that Champions League is now officially out of our reach (and it also means Arsenal are champions; BOOOOOO)

Europa League or Conference League assured with a win on the final day however (depending on how Brighton do)

Spurs still not quite safe from relegation; LOL!

Next up: Sunderland away on the final day of the season

KTBFFH

PLAYER RATINGS:

It’s the final home game of the season, and it could be a juicy one: Spurs are here and fighting for their Premier League survival. They need a point to avoid relegation; we need a win to keep faint hopes alive of Champions League (or Europa League) football next season.

It’s still Calum McFarlane in charge (Xabi Alonso only starts on July 1, officially), and it’s a familiar look from the interim head coach. Levi Colwill’s rested, as expected. Unfortunately, it looks like João Pedro misses out (due to a knock), so it’s Liam Delap up front. Hat-trick incoming! Malo Gusto’s also not in the squad: Josh Acheampong starts and we’ve got a few Academy kids on the bench, including Jesse Derry back from his concussion.

Here we go!

Date / Time: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 20.15 BST; 3:15pm EDT; 12:45am IST (next day)

Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6

Referee: Stuart Attwell (on pitch), John Brooks (VAR)

On TV: Sky Sports Main Event (UK); NBCSN (USA); none (India); SuperSport MaXimo 1 (NGA); elsewhere

Streaming: Sky Go (UK); Peacock (USA); JioHotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)

Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!

Chelsea take to the pitch at Stamford Bridge one last time this season — a season that’s been nothing short of a disappointing failure even if by some miracle we end up with Champions League football still.

Here’s that most unlikely, but mathematically still possible scenario:

Aston Villa must win the Europa League final on Wednesday (thus qualifying for next year’s Champions League)

Then, Aston Villa, currently fourth, must lose their last game, away to Manchester City

Liverpool, currently fifth, must win their last game, at home against Brentford: Liverpool would thus finish fourth on goal difference ahead of Villa, and the bonus spot for the Premier League would go to the sixth place, as Villa would’ve qualified via the Europa League instead — this loophole only works if Villa finish fifth

AFC Bournemouth, currently sixth, must lose both of their remaining games, tonight against Manchester City then Sunday against Nottingham Forest, away

Brighton, currently seventh, must lose their final game, at home to Manchester United

Brentford, currently eighth, are already covered by their defeat in the third item in this list

Sunderland, currently ninth, play Chelsea at home on the final day, and obviously we have to win that game

But first, we have to win this game

And that’s how tenth-place Chelsea could yet finish sixth, and get in through the most backdooriest backdoor of all backdoors to next year’s Champions League. None of those outcomes are unlikely on their own, but this is like an 8-leg parlay. You multiply the probabilities of independent events to arrive at the total probability of all the events happening, and that final number is likely to be in the single digits.

So, you know, don’t bet your house on it.

Also, first we actually have to a win Premier League game, which we haven’t done in over two months.

Date / Time: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 20.15 BST; 3:15pm EDT; 12:45am IST (next day)

Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6

Referee: Stuart Attwell (on pitch), John Brooks (VAR)

Forecast: Thunderstorms throughout the day, but they might clear up by gametime

On TV: Sky Sports Main Event (UK); NBCSN (USA); none (India); SuperSport MaXimo 1 (NGA); elsewhere

Streaming: Sky Go (UK); Peacock (USA); JioHotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)

Chelsea team news: Robert Sánchez (and his Petr Čech-esque rugby cap), Pedro Neto, and Alejandro Garnacho all returned from injuries to feature in the FA Cup final over the weekend, which means that only longer-term absentees like Estêvão and Jamie Gittens, and young winger Jesse Derry who suffered that scary head injury the other day, are missing in action. Roméo Lavia saw how short our injury was lost getting however, so he’s picked up some random knock once again and is doubtful. Made from that glass, that kid, except it’s just a hologram of glass.

Levi Colwill could also be rested since he’s only just back from a season-long recovery from ACL surgery. He’s made a massive difference in our backline in those games, but there’s little reason to risk any sort of setback at this point of the season.

“[The FA Cup final] shows the level of this group, the quality of this group [but] we haven’t done it on a consistent basis. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be where we are in the league. […] But when this group is at their best, I think we’re up there with anyone in Europe.

“So how do we produce that on a more consistent basis? That’s what we’ll be looking at at the end of the season. That’s what we’ll be trying to help the group with and also they have to want to produce that and they’re capable of doing that. But for now, it’s two games left to get six points hopefully and push up the table as far as we can.”

-Calum McFarlane; source: Football.London

Tottenham Hotspur team news: The most amusing corollary to all this is that Spurs are still not safe from relegation, and if they were to lose their final two games, and West Ham were to pick up three points on Sunday against Leeds United, then Spurs would be relegated for the first time since the late 1970s. They are one of six teams never to have been relegated from the Premier League (born 1992), along with us, Everton, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United.

Beating Spurs is of course always mandatory, but doing so at this specific point in time is doubly so. Just for the giggles, if nothing else.

They did appoint next year’s head coach already when Roberto De Zerbi relieved Igor Tudor after perhaps the worst Premier League managerial spell ever, and De Zerbi has breathed new life into them with two wins and two draws in his five games in charge. In fact, they’re unbeaten in their last four and have won back-to-back away games, and could be feeling pretty confident about getting their second win in their last 41 visits, since 1990, to Stamford Bridge.

Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, and Cristian Romero are all done for the season with various short- and long-term injuries, while Dom Solanke’s struggling with a hamstring and is doubtful. First-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario could make his comeback after missing the last couple months due to surgery, but Antonín Kinský has done okay in his absence and De Zerbi has hinted that the young Czech Republic international could keep his place.

View from the enemy: Cartilage Free Captain

Previously: A win would mean our third consecutive double over Spurs, which even by this rivalry’s standards would be pretty funny (especially given the state of Chelsea during that time). The reverse fixture earlier this season — when Spurs were actually above Chelsea in the table, if you can believe that — was won by João Pedro of course.

“We need to be careful with Levi. He’s obviously off the back of a very serious injury and has performed well in those two games. We’ll see how he looks today, how he reports, and we’ll make a decision on that.”

“[Lavia] took a slight knock in the build-up to the [last] game. Nothing major, but with Roméo, we didn’t want to take that risk. I thought he was brilliant in the games that he did play, and he gave us a lot the same way Levi did, but we just have to be careful with players that have had that injury history.”