Tottenham end Stamford Bridge hoodoo with 2-0 win over Chelsea

Tottenham ended a 34-match Premier League winless streak at Stamford Bridge with a 2-0 victory over Chelsea. The result was secured by a 77th-minute own goal from Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders and a late finish from substitute Mathys Tel ten minutes later.

Chelsea's evening deteriorated further when Cole Palmer was sent off in the 80th minute, receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Conor Gallagher. This marked the first red card of Palmer's career and contributed to a frustrating night for the hosts, who managed just seven attempts on goal, their fewest in a league match this season.

Roberto De Zerbi hailed his Tottenham side as a complete team following the performance. The manager pointed to a key team meeting held before their recent draw at Manchester United as a turning point for the squad's mentality and cohesion. He stated that the players had prepared exceptionally well for the derby and deserved the landmark win.

De Zerbi also noted significant improvements in the team's style and the atmosphere within the group, both on the pitch and in the dressing room. The victory, Tottenham's second in six days, moves them further away from the lower reaches of the table after a difficult start to the campaign.

For Chelsea, the defeat was compounded by an early injury setback. James Maddison, making only his second start after a long-term ACL injury, was forced off after just six minutes. The hosts also conceded their eighth set-piece goal of the Premier League season through Penders' unfortunate error.

Tottenham controlled large periods of the contest, enjoying 70 per cent possession in the first half. Chelsea's lack of a cutting edge was evident as they failed to score in a home London derby for only the second time in 17 such fixtures. The clean sheet was Tottenham's first in a win at Stamford Bridge in all competitions since December 1986.

The result leaves Chelsea reflecting on a missed opportunity at home, while Tottenham can build on a statement win that shows their progress under De Zerbi. The manager confirmed that Maddison's injury is not thought to be serious, with further medical assessments scheduled.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged his team's poor performance, stating they were second best in every aspect of the game. He admitted his players were not aggressive enough and lacked the right attitude from the beginning, describing it as a painful and frustrating night. Pochettino confirmed the club will assess the extent of Maddison's injury in the coming days.

De Zerbi, reflecting on the historic win, emphasized the importance of the team's defensive organization and their ability to control the game. He praised his players' courage and their execution of the game plan against a direct rival. The Italian manager highlighted the growing belief within the squad, suggesting this result could be a key moment for their season.

Statistically, Tottenham's dominance was clear. Chelsea's expected goals (xG) tally of 0.45 was their lowest at home this season, underlining their attacking struggles. Tottenham captain Heung-min Son led the press from the front, forcing several turnovers in dangerous areas.

The match also saw a heated exchange between the two benches in the second half, with both coaching staffs receiving warnings from the fourth official. The tension spilled onto the pitch, contributing to a fractious final twenty minutes after Palmer's dismissal.

With this victory, Tottenham climb to ninth in the Premier League table, while Chelsea remain in eleventh, having won just one of their last five league matches. The win marks Tottenham's first league double over Chelsea since the 2017-18 season, having beaten them 2-1 at home in November.

Read the full report at skysports.com