Chelsea boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a narrow 1-0 victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute, heading home unmarked from Cole Palmer’s precise cross. Palmer, returning from a brief injury absence, delivered the assist in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who was watching from the stands.
The match saw two goals disallowed after VAR interventions. Chelsea thought they had doubled their lead when Moises Caicedo volleyed home, but the strike was ruled out for offside. Tottenham then had their own disappointment when substitute Pape Sarr’s 69th-minute effort was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
The victory moves Chelsea back into fourth place in the Premier League, one point ahead of Manchester City and two clear of Newcastle United, though City have a game in hand.
Tottenham, whose dismal record at Stamford Bridge now extends to just one win in their last 40 league visits, remain in 14th position. Their hopes of European football next season may now depend on winning the Europa League.
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca showed his relief at the final whistle, celebrating enthusiastically after a recent patchy run that included a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Tottenham nearly snatched a late equalizer when Son Heung-min was denied by a spectacular save from Robert Sanchez in the 89th minute. The visitors failed to register a shot on target in the first half for the second consecutive match.
The game was played amid visible frustration from Tottenham supporters directed at both the club’s ownership and coach Ange Postecoglou, who appeared to cup his ear toward fans when Sarr’s goal was initially given.
“It’s not the first time. Fans I guess express their opinions. That’s fine and I have to accept it,” Postecoglou told Talksport when asked about the negative reaction to his substitutions.
In the Tottenham Chelsea match, Chelsea defender Levi Colwill acknowledged the team’s pragmatic approach, saying: “We need to win games at the end of the day. We’re fighting for Champions League. To win games we have to change style sometimes.”
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