London: Chelsea inflicted a fourth defeat on their London rivals Tottenham Hotspur this season, with two of them in the last 18 days. Having won both legs of the Carabao Cup, Chelsea hit two second-half goals in a space of eight minutes to remain firmly in third position in the Premier League.
With their next match two weeks away, Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, said: “It was important to go into this (winter) break with a performance we want. We needed this but needed also to do things better. The guys are very tired because it was a long run for us.”
He commented on Chelsea’s second goal, scored by Hakim Ziyech, former Ajax player, signed last year: “It was a brilliant goal, brilliant technique. I was right behind it. I had the feeling it was too high but it dropped at the right second.”
A goalless first half had seen chances missed. Chelsea striker, Romelu Lukaku volleyed over the bar, in the first minute a pass from Mason Mount and in the 32nd minute he couldn’t make contact with another fine pass from the right by Mount. While for Spurs, Steven Bergwijn’s left footed shot went past the far post in the 38th minute.
A minute later, Harry Kane found the net when Ryan Sessegnon squared the ball from the left. But Kane had fouled Thiago Silva, pushing him in the back, and the goal was disallowed despite the VAR check.
Chelsea took the lead two minutes into the second half. An excellent pass from Callum Hudson-Odoi, as he surged down the left, came to Ziyech and the Moroccan moved in to unleash a marvellous curling shot with his left foot which dipped inside the far top corner totally fooling Hugo Lloris in the goal.
In the 55th minute, Chelsea added the second goal. Eric Dyer gave away a free kick in fouling Hudson-Odoi and Mount swung the ball in from the left. Thiago Silva, in the midst of Spurs players, did well to head the ball before Davison Sanchez, who was directly behind him, could make an attempt. Lloris had no chance as the ball flew in from his left.
Later, Lukaku had a shot pushed away after he had beaten Sanchez and in the 88th minute Kepa Arrizabalaga made a fine diving save from a header by Kane. There was some disorder when objects from Spurs supporters were thrown in the direction of Antonio Rudiger who complained to the referee.
Spurs manager, Antonio Conte, unhappy with Kane’s disallowed goal, said: “It’s best to tell the referee in a polite way. To see this type of goal disallowed in England was dreadful. In Italy it would be 50-50 but in England it’s incredible.”
With injury problems, he added: “It’s difficult with injuries to make a starting 11. At the same time, I’m proud of my players. We made a big effort. The performance and the attitude as good. I have to be proud despite the defeat. The defeat hurts me a lot.”
