Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur missed the opportunity to secure Premier League survival as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against London rivals Chelsea in Tuesday's clash at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs came into the contest knowing that a point would be enough to secure safety with a game to spare due to their significant goal difference advantage over West Ham United.

However, they ultimately failed to achieve that objective, falling just short in a pulsating encounter in west London.

Enzo Fernandez starred for Calum McFarlane's side, scoring a stunning strike from distance just before the hour mark before providing a controlled assist for Andrey Santos to net his first Premier League goal midway through the second period.

Richarlison pulled a goal back before Spurs appealed for a penalty when Marc Cucurella dragged down Micky van de Ven at a corner, only for the officials to rule that the ball was not in play to the relief of the home side, who saw out the remainder of the contest to bounce back from Saturday's FA Cup final defeat with their first league win since the start of March.

The win has moved the Blues up to eighth spot in the Premier League table, leaving them in a Conference League qualification position and a point adrift of a Europa League place.

As for Spurs, they have now lost six of their previous eight top-flight away games against Chelsea (D2), including defeats in each of their last three trips to Stamford Bridge.

Their fate is still in their hands with two points seperating them from 18th-placed West Ham, but they are set for a tense final day in their battle to avoid relegation for the first time since 1976-77.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

© Imago / Crystal Pix

Tottenham fans will be keen to put Tuesday behind them, as their team missed an opportunity to secure safety on the same night Arsenal clinched the Premier League title.

While Spurs have a poor record at Stamford Bridge, they would have hoped for more against a Chelsea side that had entered Tuesday's match on the back of a seven-game winless league run.

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi was preparing a triple change before Santos made it 2-0, so he will be ruing that decision not to make those changes sooner.

The north London outfit certainly looked better after the changes, including the introduction of James Maddison, who saw a late effort kept out by Jorrel Hato's last-ditch block - a passage of play that could prove to be a hugely important moment once the final whistle goes on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso, who will take over the reins at Chelsea this summer, would have been impressed with the fight shown from the hosts, even if it was not a vintage display.

The former Real Madrid boss will also recognise the importance of keeping Fernandez, who has been linked with a move to the Spanish giants.

There has been some debate as to whether Alonso would be better off taking over a side with no European football, but the 44-year-old will surely be keen for them to snatch a spot in the Europa League - a competition he went close to winning with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024.

CHELSEA VS. SPURS HIGHLIGHTS

Fernandez goal vs. Spurs (18th min, Chelsea 1-0 Spurs)

What a strike!

Fernandez picks up the ball from a distance, sets it out of his feet before bending a powerful strike out of the goalkeeper's reach to the delight of the home faithful.

Santos goal vs. Spurs (67th min, Chelsea 2-0 Spurs)

Chelsea double their lead.

A neat team move sees Cole Palmer play the pass out to Pedro Neto, who sends a ball to the far post for Fernandez to neatly tee up Santos for a low finish beyond Kinsky.

Richarlison goal vs. Chelsea (74th min, Chelsea 2-1 Spurs)

Richarlison gives the visitors renewed hope. Pedro Porro latches onto a pass into the box, cutting it back for Pape Matar Sarr to backheel into Richarlison's path, leaving the Brazilian with the simple task of tapping the ball in at the far post.

MAN OF THE MATCH - ENZO FERNANDEZ

© Imago / Crystal Pix

Fernandez produced a captain's performance for the hosts, following an unstoppable strike from distance with a composed assist for Chelsea's second.

The Argentine, who played off the left, also threatened to score from a first-half free-kick which rattled the frame of Kinsky's goal.

Santos also impressed in the middle of the park, making a strong case to retain his spot in the lineup for the final game of the Premier League season.

CHELSEA VS. SPURS MATCH STATS

Possession: Chelsea 44%-56% Spurs

Shots: Chelsea 9-9 Spurs

Shots on target: Chelsea 4-3 Spurs

Corners: Chelsea 3-4 Spurs

Fouls: Chelsea 11-18 Spurs

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Chelsea will look to secure European qualification, and ideally a Europa League place, when they take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

As for Spurs, they are set for a nervy home game against Everton, knowing that a point would keep them up, but a defeat and a West Ham win would see them drop down to the Championship.

Playing their final home match of the Premier League season and their first game since the appointment of Xabi Alonso, Chelsea host London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

The Blues were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, while Spurs will secure their top-flight status at the expense of West Ham United if they win in the capital.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest team news for the two clubs.

CHELSEA vs. TOTTENHAM

CHELSEA

Out: Jesse Derry (head), Estevao Willian (hamstring), Jamie Gittens (thigh), Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended)

Doubtful: Joao Pedro (leg), Levi Colwill (fitness), Romeo Lavia (knock)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Sanchez; Fofana, Chalobah, Hato; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella; Palmer, Neto; Delap

TOTTENHAM

Out: Dominic Solanke (hamstring), Ben Davies (ankle), Xavi Simons (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Cristian Romero (knee)

Doubtful: Guglielmo Vicario (hernia)

Chelsea are at risk of setting an unwanted club record when they play host to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.

The All-London derby at Stamford Bridge is a pivotal fixture for both sides in the context of their position in the Premier League table.

While Chelsea are bidding to record the first of two wins that would secure European football for next season, Spurs know that avoiding defeat would see them secure their top-flight status.

On the back of losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup final, Chelsea are under pressure to respond to that disappointment.

However, Calum McFarlane and his players are at risk of becoming cemented in Chelsea's history for negative reasons.

© Imago / Every Second Media

Why Chelsea are fighting to avoid making club history

Chelsea have put together an abysmal run of results at Stamford Bridge, including losing their last four Premier League fixtures.

Should they succumb to Spurs at their West London home, it would represent the first time in their illustrious history that they have suffered five successive league defeats at Stamford Bridge.

Furthermore, Chelsea are winless in their last seven Premier League games (D1 L6), their longest such run since the 1994-95 campaign.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are also looking to extend an incredible run to 24 matches, having not suffered defeat in their last home Premier League fixture of a season since 2001-02.

Although Spurs have only won one of their last 35 away league games at Chelsea, they have posted back-to-back away victories in the Premier League against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa.

Success on Tuesday would mark the first time since 2020 that they have registered three consecutive away wins in the Premier League.

Spurs are also bidding to win their final away Premier League of a season for the fifth time in six seasons.

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Tottenham Hotspur playmaker James Maddison could be in contention for his first start of the Premier League season in Tuesday's London derby with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The 29-year-old made his maiden appearance of the campaign as a late substitute in last week's 1-1 draw with Leeds United, where he was controversially denied a last-gasp penalty after falling to the turf under pressure from Lukas Nmecha.

The officials decided that Nmecha played the ball - a claim disputed by Maddison himself - but Roberto De Zerbi may hold back on starting the Englishman given he only came on in the 85th minute against the Whites.

Instead, Conor Gallagher should continue in the most advanced midfield position, in between Randal Kolo Muani - snubbed by France manager Didier Deschamps for the 2026 World Cup - and Mathys Tel, scorer of a stunning opening goal vs. Leeds.

De Zerbi is hopeful that Dominic Solanke will recover from a hamstring injury in time to face his old club, but a fully-fit Richarlison is a safer option to lead the line.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha have emerged as De Zerbi's first-choice midfielders, while Antonin Kinsky pulled off a save-of-the-season contender against Leeds and is expected to keep his spot over the doubtful Guglielmo Vicario.

Xavi Simons (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Mohammed Kudus (thigh) and Cristian Romero (knee) are all out for the Lilywhites.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison

Chelsea's star man Joao Pedro has emerged as a major injury doubt for Tuesday's Premier League London derby with Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues suffered a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup final, in which Pedro was seen clutching his thigh in the first half before having to be withdrawn late on.

The fact that Pedro was able to soldier on for over 50 minutes suggests that his issue is not serious, but with minimal recovery time in between matches, there is every chance he misses out in midweek.

Liam Delap should therefore be given a rare opportunity to lead the line for the Blues, likely with support from Cole Palmer and the fit-again Pedro Neto in a 3-4-2-1 system.

That shape was the one favoured by incoming manager Xabi Alonso during Bayer Leverkusen's 2023-24 Invincibles campaign, and it has also helped Chelsea ask several questions of both Liverpool and Man City in the past two matches.

Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella should continue as the wing-backs in that shape, but Neto's introduction could push Reece James out of the XI, if Calum McFarlane plays it safe with the injury-plagued Englishman following his recent hamstring problem.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez will pair up in midfield if that is the case, but Levi Colwill has seamlessly slotted back into the defence since recovering from an ACL tear and should join Jorrel Hato and Wesley Fofana in a three-man wall again.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella; Palmer, Neto; Delap

As Xabi Alonso scrutinises from afar, Chelsea play their final Premier League home game of the season on Tuesday night, when London rivals Tottenham Hotspur visit Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are at an increasing risk of missing out on European football altogether in 2026-27, whereas the Lilywhites could have the chance to secure survival in the capital derby.

Match preview

An appropriate response to losing a fourth consecutive FA Cup final, Chelsea confirmed the appointment of Bundesliga Invincible Alonso on a four-year contract fewer than 24 hours after a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City under the Wembley arch.

Calum McFarlane's men held their own against the treble-chasing Citizens, but the one moment of attacking ingenuity that counted for something was conjured up by Antoine Semenyo, whose audacious backheel sent Chelsea back to Stamford Bridge empty-handed.

The Blues likely made a decent impression on the incoming Alonso if nothing else, but failure to sink the Sky Blues closed off one potential route to European football for Tuesday's hosts, who are mathematically out of top-five contention in the Premier League.

Nevertheless, Chelsea's Champions League hopes are not dead and buried just yet, as McFarlane's side are six points adrift of Bournemouth in sixth spot, which will present a pathway to the top tier of European competition if Aston Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League.

A gutsy 1-1 draw at Liverpool last weekend also snapped Chelsea's disastrous six-game losing run in the Premier League, although they are still on the verge of making unwanted history; defeat on Tuesday would see the hosts lose five straight league home matches for the first time ever.

© Iconsport / SPI

Not since the 2001-02 season have Chelsea lost their last home game of the campaign, though; that defeat 24 years ago came against Aston Villa, who coincidentally defeated Tottenham in the Lilywhites' final away match of 2024-25.

However, Roberto De Zerbi's rejuvenated men come into Tuesday's crunch clash as the form team, having equalled their longest unbeaten run of the Premier League season by winning two and drawing two of their last four matches.

Spurs' 1-1 draw with Leeds United was very much a case of two points dropped for the Lilywhites, but thanks to bitter rivals Arsenal doing them a huge favour at West Ham United, Tottenham enter gameweek 37 two points clear of the relegation zone in the Premier League table.

Therefore, if the Irons fail to beat Newcastle United on Sunday evening and Tottenham prevail at Stamford Bridge, De Zerbi's men will officially retain their Premier League status and send West Ham down to the Championship.

The Lilywhites' praiseworthy road form suggests that scenario is a realistic one, as only Arsenal and Manchester City have won more Premier League away matches than Tottenham's seven this season, including back-to-back successes at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa in their last two trips.

Spurs were edged out 1-0 by Chelsea in this exact fixture in 2024-25, though, and the Blues' identical away victory in November marked their fifth straight league win over Tottenham, who have not triumphed at Stamford Bridge in the top flight since the Mauricio Pochettino days in 2018.

Chelsea Premier League form:

Chelsea form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Team News

© Imago / Every Second Media

Injury was added to insult for Chelsea in the FA Cup final, where Joao Pedro appeared to hurt his leg in the first half and played through the pain before being forcibly withdrawn in the 86th minute.

The Barcelona-linked Brazilian is therefore a significant injury doubt for Tuesday's derby, which Jesse Derry (head), Estevao Willian (hamstring), Jamie Gittens (thigh) and the banned Mykhaylo Mudryk are guaranteed to miss.

In brighter news, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Robert Sanchez were all involved on Saturday after recovering from their own issues, and the former is a contender to replace Reece James if McFarlane avoids risking his injury-plagued captain.

Speaking of players returning from injury, Tottenham's James Maddison made his first appearance of the season against Leeds after his lengthy ACL recovery and could have won a penalty at the end following a challenge from Lukas Nmecha, which was deemed fair.

Maddison - who slammed "petrified" referees after the incident - only came on in the 85th minute of the draw with the Whites, so it may still be too soon for the playmaker to start first-team matches.

Xavi Simons (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Mohammed Kudus (thigh) and Cristian Romero (knee) are out of contention for the visitors, but none of Dominic Solanke (hamstring), Ben Davies (ankle) or Guglielmo Vicario (hernia) have been ruled out yet.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella; Palmer, Neto; Delap

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison

We say: Chelsea 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Giving both champions Liverpool and challengers Man City a tough run for their money, Chelsea have had a more solidified look about them since McFarlane's system switch, but their lack of goals - just three in their last seven matches - is yet to be rectified.

With the influential Pedro also potentially missing out, Tottenham should not come under siege from their hosts, but a low-scoring draw still feels the most likely outcome as Spurs' fight for survival goes down to the final day.

Reeling from an all-too familiar FA Cup final defeat, Chelsea return to Premier League duty at home to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening.

The Blues put up a good fight against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, but their efforts were not enough as Antoine Semenyo's effort condemned them to a fourth-straight loss in the FA Cup showpiece.

Calum McFarlane's men are now at increasing risk of missing out on European football altogether, sitting ninth in the Premier League table with the potential to drop down lower depending on results on Sunday.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Chelsea's injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Tottenham, who could secure survival at Stamford Bridge if the result of Newcastle United vs. West Ham United goes their way.

Joao Pedro

© Iconsport / PA Images

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Leg

Possible return date: May 19 (vs. Tottenham)

Joao Pedro appeared to tweak a thigh muscle early on in the FA Cup final, but he soldiered on until the 86th minute, at which point he could not continue.

The nature and severity of the Brazilian's problem is unclear, but the tight turnaround makes him a huge doubt for the visit of Spurs.

Estevao Willian

© Iconsport / PA Images

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Estevao Willian has already been ruled out for the rest of the season with the hamstring injury he picked up in April, and the winger will not be risked for the World Cup by Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti either.

Jamie Gittens

© Imago / Sportimage

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Jamie Gittens was on the cusp of returning from one hamstring injury before sustaining another in early April, and there is no timeframe on the attacker's return.

Jesse Derry

© Imago / APL

Status: Out

Type of injury: Head

Possible return date: Next season

Teenage starlet Jesse Derry's first Premier League start ended in the cruellest possible fashion, as he was stretchered off against Nottingham Forest following a clash of heads with Zach Abbott.

The 18-year-old is making positive progress in his recovery, but he will not play again this season.

CHELSEA SUSPENSION LIST

Tottenham Hotspur's battle against relegation from the Premier League will continue on Tuesday evening when they head to Stamford Bridge to tackle rivals Chelsea.

Spurs are currently 17th in the Premier League table, two points above 18th-placed West Ham United.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Tottenham’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Chelsea, who were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup final.

Xavi Simons

© Imago / Sebastian Frej

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Simons has undergone surgery on the ACL injury that he suffered in the recent Premier League clash vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the Netherlands international is now facing a lengthy period on the sidelines.

Dominic Solanke

© Imago

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: May 19 (vs. Chelsea)

There had been fears that a hamstring injury would keep Solanke out for the remainder of the season, but the striker could be back against Chelsea.

Ben Davies

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: Unknown

Davies has not featured for Spurs since breaking his ankle in January, and the Wales international faces a battle to return before the end of the campaign.

Mohammed Kudus

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: Unknown

Kudus has reportedly decided against surgery on a thigh injury in the hope that he might be available to represent Ghana at the 2026 World Cup, but the attacker will miss the remainder of Tottenham's 2025-26 campaign.

Wilson Odobert

© Imago / Sportimage

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Odobert ruptured his ACL against Newcastle in February, and the attacker will therefore be on the sidelines until late this year or early 2027.

Dejan Kulusevski

© Imago / Bildbyran

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Kulusevski is continuing his recovery process from a serious knee injury, with a return date unclear, but the attacker will not represent Sweden at the 2026 World Cup.

Guglielmo Vicario

© Imago

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Groin

Possible return date: May 19 (vs. Chelsea)

Vicario has missed Tottenham's last five league matches with a hernia, but the goalkeeper is now back in training and could be in the squad against Chelsea.

Cristian Romero

© Iconsport / PA Images

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Romero suffered a knee injury in the loss to Sunderland last month, and the Argentina international will be absent for the remainder of the season, but he could still feature at the 2026 World Cup.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR’S SUSPENSION LIST

Tottenham Hotspur have no players unavailable due to suspension.

Tottenham Hotspur are allegedly continuing to monitor any developments regarding the future of Monaco attacker Maghnes Akliouche.

Sitting just two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, Spurs' current focus is on trying to remain in England's top flight.

However, with a period of transition anticipated regardless of whether they achieve that target, Spurs chiefs are considering how to strengthen their squad with Roberto De Zerbi now at the helm.

Officially, Spurs are prevented from making any moves until the division that they will be playing in next season becomes clear.

Nevertheless, as per Football Insider, there remains a strong interest in acquiring the services of Akliouche.

© Iconsport / Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images

Why could Spurs want to sign Akliouche before World Cup?

The 24-year-old has been selected in France's squad for the World Cup, reward for his form for Monaco.

A total of seven goals and nine assists have come in Ligue 1 and the Champions League during 2025-26, with the playmaker featuring in a range of positions.

As it stands, it remains to be seen whether Akliouche will be allowed to depart Monaco, but their failure to qualify for the Champions League essentially means that they will need to consider big-money sales.

Liverpool, among a number of teams, have been linked with an approach for the versatile attacker, who now has seven caps for France.

With 23 goals and 28 assists from 138 games, he is effectively viewed as Monaco's key man, but there are just two years remaining on his contract.

That may result in Spurs wanting to step up their interest in the player prior to the World Cup, aware that strong performances on the international stage will only increase admirers in his signature.

© Imago

What could be Akliouche's asking price?

The report suggests that Monaco may demand in the region of £40m for a player who is a homegrown talent.

In theory, recouping that level of fee would give them the funds to make several notable additions ahead of 2026-27.

A best-case scenario for Monaco ahead of the final weekend of the campaign is a sixth-placed finish in the Ligue 1 table.

European qualification may be dependent on who prevails between Lens and Nice in the Coupe de France final.

Tottenham Hotspur could be set for a three-way battle with Chelsea and Liverpool for departing Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi.

The three-time Argentina international's exit from the Cherries was confirmed on Friday, with the centre-back to leave the club he joined in 2022 on a free transfer.

Senesi has featured in 126 games for the Dorset-based club, 114 of which have been in the Premier League at the time of his announcement.

“AFC Bournemouth will always hold a special place for me and I will look back at my time here with fond memories,” Senesi told the club website.

“For now, there are still two big games left of the season and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”

Are Spurs still favourites to sign Senesi?

© Imago

Having seemed destined for Spurs prior to Friday's decision being made public, the €22m (£19m)-valued defender, according to Transfermarkt, could be tempted by a move to Spurs' cross-town rivals or Merseyside.

De Zerbi is a known admirer of the left-footed centre-back's ball-playing ability and views him as an ideal fit for his expansive tactical system.

Given that Spurs captain Cristian Romero is tipped to leave North London, a transfer for his compatriot with Premier League experience makes sense.

However, any move may be contingent on the relegation-threatened side avoiding top-flight relegation. Spurs head into their final two games 17th in the Premier League table, ahead of games against Chelsea and Everton.

Spurs, Liverpool or Chelsea: Who should Senesi join?

© Imago / IMAGO / Sportimage

According to The Standard, Liverpool and Chelsea are also keen on the former Feyenoord defender.

Arne Slot's team have endured a defensive crisis this season, with summer signing Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez missing significant portions of the campaign through injury, leaving the Dutch manager to rely on Virgin van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate for most of the season.

A move to Anfield could offer the lure of Champions League football, whereas a switch to Spurs depends heavily on the club avoiding the drop.

While Chelsea's muddled transfer approach and possibility of not playing in Europe could discourage the departing centre-back, a possible reunion with Blues-linked Andoni Iraola at Stamford Bridge could tempt Senesi.