Chelsea moved into fourth place in the Premier League as they edged past Tottenham Hotspur in a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge.
The hosts took the lead early in the second half when Enzo Fernandez headed home from a Cole Palmer cross, and they thought they had doubled their advantage when Moises Caicedo volleyed in a second, only for VAR to rule the goal out due to an offside in the build-up.
Despite offering very little in attack, the visitors thought that they had found an equaliser through Pape Matar Sarr, but VAR ruled that Sarr had fouled Caicedo prior to firing the ball past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Spurs could have been a goal down within a minute, as Nicolas Jackson hit the post for the hosts in the game's opening stages, and the visitors did not look up for this one for most of the night.
With little to play for in the Premier League for Spurs, you can perhaps forgive them for maybe having an eye on their Europa League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt next week, but their fans want consistency in the league, particularly against one of their fiercest rivals.
Tottenham failed to register a shot on target in the first half, and they offered very little in attack throughout most of the evening, and in the end, they left it too late.
The visitors did push forward a bit more towards the end, and they could have grabbed a late equaliser, had Sanchez not pulled off a fine save to prevent Son Heung-min from scoring - but they were fortunate to still be in the game at that point, as Chelsea could have finished them off much earlier.
One proved to be enough for the Blues, as they moved into fourth in the table, which is precisely where they will want to be, as they continue to dream of Champions League qualification next season.
CHELSEA VS. TOTTENHAM HIGHLIGHTS
Enzo Fernandez goal vs. Tottenham (50th min, Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham)
Enzo Fernandez gets on the end of a Cole Palmer cross and Chelsea take the lead! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/yMLBCYoexm
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 3, 2025
The Blues take the lead in the London derby!
Djed Spence gives away possession near the corner flag, and Palmer drops a perfect cross for Fernandez to head Chelsea in front against their rivals!
MAN OF THE MATCH - ENZO FERNANDEZ
© Imago
This was a tough decision, as Chelsea had a few contenders here, with Caicedo and Palmer putting in some excellent displays.
However, Fernandez bagged an important winner this evening, and he put in an impressive performance overall for the Blues, therefore, we are giving him the award tonight.
CHELSEA VS. TOTTENHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Chelsea 50%-50% Tottenham
Shots: Chelsea 11-8 Tottenham
Shots on target: Chelsea 5-2 Tottenham
Corners: Chelsea 4-6 Tottenham
Fouls: Chelsea 7-16 Tottenham
BEST STATS
COMPARED: Marc Cucurella vs. Djed Spence per 90 in the Premier League this season. 🕶️#CHETOT pic.twitter.com/8YVO7NzEHB
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 3, 2025
Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson start their first match together since Gameweek 24 🤗
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) April 3, 2025
Does anyone have both assets in their #FPL team for GW30? #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/eoGaIncolp
Micky van de Ven & Cristian Romero are both starting a Premier League game for Tottenham for the first time since December, in the reverse fixture against Chelsea. https://t.co/l8eArqT7YL
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 3, 2025
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 3, 2025
Tottenham have accumulated just 0.88 xG across the first halves in their last four Premier League London derbies. 👀#CHETOT | @bet365 | #Ad pic.twitter.com/dZ1jQVgx4A
Tottenham have failed to have a shot on target in the first half of back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season. https://t.co/yRmkOumlHO
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 3, 2025
Moises Caicedo won more duels (7) and made more tackles (4) than any other player in the first half vs. Tottenham.
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 3, 2025
He also completed 100% of his 23 passes. 💯#CHETOT pic.twitter.com/gemEVn6jc1
Cole Palmer has provided a Premier League assist for the first time since the 1st December against Aston Villa.
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 3, 2025
Between those two assists he created 39 chances, the fourth most of any PL player in that time.
Finally, someone puts one away and what a ball and header it was. 😍 pic.twitter.com/xOCRp2GvPA
WHAT NEXT?
Both sides are in Premier League action on Sunday, as Chelsea make the short trip to the Gtech Community Stadium to play Brentford, while Spurs are at home to bottom-placed Southampton.
The two teams will both have one eye on Europe, however, with important clashes ahead for both next Thursday.
Tom Humphrey
