Chelsea vs Tottenham LIVE: Premier League result, score and reaction as Nicolas Jackson goal seals win
Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino handed his former team a damaging defeat as the Blues improved their own hopes of qualifying for Europe
Tottenham’s Champions League hopes were dealt a damaging blow as they fell to a 2-0 Premier League defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Ange Postecoglou’s side were left trailing fourth-placed Aston Villa by seven points and now have just a single game in hand, as goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson saw Mauricio Pochettino emerge victorious against his former club to enhance his team’s own chances of qualifying for Europe.
This was far from Spurs at their fluid, swashbuckling best, and rarely did they put serious pressure on a Chelsea backline that had already posted the club’s worst league defensive record in more than 30 years.
Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
Chelsea get us underway here, and it is a lively atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, with Spurs rallying up the crowd just before kick-off.
After Dortmund beat PSG last night, Spurs now know they need to finish in the top four to get Champions League football, so a win is vital here.
Chelsea vs Tottenham LIVE
The players are coming out here. Kick-off is fast approaching...
Pochettino speaking to Sky Sports:
“The young kids are in the club as they wanted to have the opportunity to go into the first team.
“It is a good challenge for us and for them to be there.
“That is the reality we are living - we need to be positive.”
Maddison drops to the bench
After a quiet game against Arsenal, Maddison is named as a substitute with Brennan Johnson coming to fill his place. The Welshman isn’t as creative as the former Leicester midfielder, but does offer a more direct style of play if needed, with his smart runs in behind potentially going to cause problems for Chelsea’s defence.
Richarlison also gets his first start since February, with injuries causing the Brazilian to have a stop-start season. He has had a much improved second year with Tottenham, scoring ten league goals compared to his sole goal last campaign.
Chelsea’s youthful bench
The average age of the Chelsea bench is 19.88 years old, and that also includes 31-year-old back-up goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. The most experienced player on the bench bar the keeper, is Cesare Casadei who has been brought on a couple of times in the Premier League but is yet to start a game for the club. If things get difficult for Pochettino, he is going to have to trust the youth.
Chelsea vs Tottenham LIVE
Both teams were victims of controversial VAR calls in their last games, and it has left Tottenham boss Postecoglou losing his emotion in the sport at times. Read what he said after his side weren’t given a penalty against Arsenal.
Spurs: Postecoglou slams VAR after 3-2 derby loss: 'I don't celebrate goals any more'
Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou was left frustrated by VAR after their defeat against Arsenal damaged their hopes of a top-four finish on Sunday, 28 April. Dejan Kulusevski's penalty shout was waved away before the Gunners broke and Havertz fed Saka to double the lead. A VAR intervention was needed to award Spurs' second-half spot-kick after Declan Rice kicked Ben Davies. Postecoglou said: "Games are not refereed in the stadium anymore. They are refereed somewhere else and no one will convince me otherwise. "That’s why I don’t celebrate goals anymore. I wait for somebody down the road."
Chelsea vs Tottenham LIVE
Alfie Gilchrist starts for Chelsea, and what a moment for the Blues’ youth product. He got his first goal for the club in their last home game capping off a 6-0 victory against Everton, but today will be tasked with stopping Son. It is not an easy feat, but he will be as pumped up as anyone in that Chelsea line-up.
Three memorable Chelsea vs Tottenham moments in recent years
This game has always been a close-fought rivalry and it has resulted in some crazy moments throughout the years.
1) Chelsea 1-2 Tottenham - 2008 League Cup Final
Spurs came back from behind to record an incredible 2-1 against their London rivals at Wembley. Although since they lifted that trophy they haven’t managed to do it since.
2) Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham - The Battle of the Bridge
After a shocking season for Chelsea, they stepped up to spoil Tottenham’s, as Eden Hazard’s late strike drew the game level and saw Leicester City complete an unimaginable title win.
3) Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea - Premier League 2023
I don’t think you can put this game into words, but we all remember. VAR, red cards, injuries, hat-tricks and a winning streak brought to an end. Let’s see if today can create its own magical moment.
Tottenham’s last two games have seen them ship seven goals
Tottenham were also affected negatively by VAR in their last game, having a penalty not given by Michael Oliver as Bukayo Saka went up the other end and scored Arsenal’s second in a 3-2 win for Mikel Arteta’s side.
That was their first game in two weeks, and Postecoglou was probably relieved with the mini-break after his side were dismantled by Newcastle 4-0. Neither side is in great form and have shown they are also shaky in defence which means anything could happen.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments