Tottenham ends Chelsea’s unbeaten run. Mauricio Pochettino’s side displayed a terrific performance to go up a place to third, five points behind unbeaten leaders Manchester City, while Chelsea drop down to fourth.
Tottenham outplayed Chelsea to inflict the Blues’ first Premier League defeat of the season and move above their opponents in the table. Spurs deservedly scored two goals in the first 16 minutes through midfielder Dele Alli’s flicked header from Christian Eriksen’s cross, and Harry Kane firing in a drive from long range.
Son Heung-min had struck straight at goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga when through on goal, and saw a volley pushed away before scoring a brilliant goal in the second half. The South Korean forward picked the ball up on the halfway line, outpaced Jorginho and darted past David Luiz before rolling a cool finish into the net.
Chelsea did manage to pull a goal back with five minutes remaining through substitute Olivier Giroud’s powerful header low into the corner.
Tottenham impress in title hunt
Tottenham were staring at back-to-back home defeats having been beaten by City before the international break, but stunned Chelsea with a blistering show with their high pressing game, which left the Blues devoid of ideas.
Boss Pochettino will be aware his side have plenty of work to do for the remainder of the season, and consistency will be the key as to whether they challenge for the title come May. But they are well-placed with 30 points after 13 games – their best start to a Premier League season since 2011-12, when they had one more point at the same stage.
Tottenham’s midfield trio of Alli, Eriksen and Eric Dier set the platform by overrunning their opposite number, and they got their rewards with some clinical finishing. England international Alli netted his sixth goal in his last five games against Chelsea, Kane converted his seventh goal of the campaign, while Son topped it off with a fine individual effort.
Spurs could even have had a wider margin of victory but for Spanish goalkeeper Kepa, who made a total of six saves, including a sharp stop to deny Toby Alderweireld’s flicked effort, while Kane and Alli both struck gilt-edged opportunities off-target from close range.
Chelsea had not suffered a league defeat under manager Maurizio Sarri this season, since the Italian manager replaced fellow countryman Antonio Conte in the summer. The Stamford Bridge side finished fifth last season and their early form this term had seen them in contention for a surprise title push, but today those aspirations suffered a setback.
The defeat leaves them seven points adrift of Pep Guardiola‘s side and London rivals Arsenal can close to within three points should they beat Bournemouth on Sunday. Striker Alvaro Morata still looks a player lacking in confidence and the Spaniard was caught offside more times (3) than he had shots on target in the game (0).
The threat of dangerman Hazard, who had seven goals and four assists before the game, was also negated, with the Belgium captain’s best effort in the opening period pushed away by Hugo Lloris – the French goalkeeper only saves of the game.
What next?
Both side are back in European action next week. Tottenham face a crucial Champions League tie against Inter Milan on Wednesday, while Chelsea host PAOK Salonika in the Europa League on Thursday.
Son’s half century – the stats
- Tottenham have won three of their last four Premier League games against Chelsea (L1), as many as they had in their previous 20 against them in the competition (W3 D9 L8).
- Chelsea suffered their first league defeat of the season, last losing on the final day of the 2017-18 campaign (0-3 v Newcastle).
- Tottenham have won consecutive league games against Chelsea for the first time since August 1987.
- Since Mauricio Pochettino has been in charge, Tottenham have won more Premier League London derby matches than any other side (22).
- Tottenham’s Dele Alli has scored more goals against Chelsea in all competitions than he has against any other side (6).
- Tottenham striker Harry Kane has scored 25 goals in Premier League London derbies, putting him joint-sixth in the all-time list in the competition (level with Robin van Persie).
- Son Heung-min’s strike was his 50th goal for Tottenham in all competitions, in what was his 154th appearance for the club.
- Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud became only the second player in Premier League history to score 20 goals as a substitute (Jermain Defoe 24).
Source: BBC News