Chelsea FC vs Tottenham LIVE!
Chelsea cruised to a derby victory over Tottenham as Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva gave the Blues a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have struggled for form in recent weeks, but they were by far the better team against a Spurs team focused on frustrating the home team.
It could have been different for Tottenham had Harry Kane’s first-half strike stood, but the referee ruled it out for a foul on Silva as the striker controlled the ball.
Ziyech’s curling strike from distance gave Chelsea the lead just after the break, and ten minutes later Silva flicked home a free-kick as the Blues doubled their advantage.
Chelsea stay third in the table but move back to within ten points of Man City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand. Tottenham are seventh, but their games in hand mean they still have a big chance in the top-four battle.
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Chelsea returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a dominant 2-0 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues went into the London derby without victory in their last four league matches, a run that has seen them slip out of the title race, and they were frustrated in the first-half as the teams went into the break level.
But Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva got on the scoresheet early in the second-half and Chelsea never looked in danger of giving up their advantage, as they cruised to a third win over Tottenham in less than three weeks. Spurs have come away from Stamford Bridge with victory in just one of their last 37 visits.
Tuchel reflects on a year in charge...
“A good year, a nice year!
“I’m feeling in exactly the right place. I feel an enormous amount of support, quality wise and from everybody at Cobham. There’s only one goal - to win football matches. This is what we love.
“Hopefully many more years to come.”
Tuchel: Our effort was outstanding
“We were working extremely hard for it and it was a tough match, but really happy because the effort was outstanding.
“It was a deserved win. It’s so hard to create chances against them but I think we were relentless and kept believing. A good team effort and an excellent result.
“There was no need for changes [at half-time]. There were some details - where to take the risk, where not to take the risk to not concede the counter attacks. Very little information, just encouragement to keep on going.”
Ziyech’s thoughts on goal...
Hakim Ziyech didn’t celebrate his goal against Brighton last time out, but he was in a far more positive mood this evening.
“Two different situations. The game against Brighton, until we made it 1-0 we didn’t play well so there was a little bit of frustration,” Ziyech said.
“Today from the beginning we played well, we had them where we wanted. Sometimes they had some counter-attacks, but it wasn’t really dangerous at all. We had a lot of chances and a lot of the football.
“I think [this goal] was a ten out of ten! I thought maybe I hit it a little bit hard, but it the end it went in.”
Chelsea player ratings
Thiago Silva 8
Pure class. Perhaps a touch fortunate that Kane’s push was ruled a foul when Spurs looked like taking the lead, but was outstanding in his defensive duties and killed the game off with his header.
Stunning strike from Ziyech...
Spurs player ratings
Japhet Tanganga 4
A weak link, particularly after he was booked. Too easily beaten by Callum Hudson-Odoi in build-up to Ziyech’s goal.
Dan Kilpatrick at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea back to winning ways in the League, while Spurs crash back down to earth after the euphoria of Wednesday night.
Given their injuries and absences, it was always going to be tough – and Kane’s disallowed goal felt significant. Ultimately though, this was another reminder of the work to be done and the gap between the clubs.
FULL-TIME
Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
The Blues return to winning ways in the Premier League with a much-deserved victory over Spurs.
Tottenham came to make things awkward for Chelsea, but once the home side eventually took the lead there was no sign of Spurs ever getting back in it.
Comfortable afternoon for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
90+4 mins: Rudiger still bombing forward for Chelsea. Home fans desperate for him to let fly every time he gets the ball.
He gives away the free-kick though as he gets a bit too eager.