Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to take advantage of the growing discontent surrounding the home side.
As when these teams met in north London last season, VAR played a prominent role, ruling out goals from Moises Caicedo and Pape Sarr after half-time, but Chelsea deserved the points as their Champions League challenge got back on track.
Chelsea beat Spurs to make it five consecutive home wins in the Premier League! 🏡#CHETOT pic.twitter.com/TdBrT7XqAq
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 3, 2025
They had begun with far greater energy than in recent lacklustre performances. In the first minute Nicolas Jackson on his return to the side was denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario then saw Micky van de Ven’s fluffed clearance ricochet off him and against the post, before moments later Malo Gusto rifled Marc Cucurella’s cross into the side-netting.
Destiny Udogie almost then turned Cole Palmer’s cross past his own goalkeeper under pressure from Fernandez as Spurs seemingly improvised their way defensively through the early exchanges.
A concerning sight for Maresca was Caicedo requiring treatment on the pitch for a hamstring issue, particularly so with Romeo Lavia having suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from injury. The head coach need not have worried, as Caicedo recovered to give an outstanding first-half display of power and poise to snuff out Spurs’ limited attacking presence.
There were signs of life at last in the visitors after 37 minutes when Son Heung-min found space in the box and drew a one-handed stop from Robert Sanchez. Levi Colwill then cleared sloppily but James Maddison failed to take advantage and was easily shrugged off the ball.
Jadon Sancho had been lively on the left but was chastised by home fans for failing to shoot when in good positions. He finally gave them their wish late in the first half, striking low at goal from an angle via a deflection off Djed Spence and drawing an excellent flying stop from Vicario.
Spurs had themselves to blame for Chelsea’s winner five minutes into the second half. After Sancho had been given freedom inside the box to pirouette on the ball, assess options and lay it off, Udogie did little but stand and watch as Fernandez drifted across him to meet Palmer’s cross and nod his side in front with the simplest header.
Caicedo then thumped the ball into the bottom corner only to be denied after a hugely protracted VAR check that judged Colwill to have strayed offside by an almost imperceptible margin.
Spurs were then themselves denied by a pitchside review after Sarr had lashed in what looked a stunning equaliser from long range, the Spurs substitute having caught Caicedo on the knee in winning the ball for which he was shown a yellow card.
Sanchez kept out Son for a second time after a Spurs counter in the final minute of the 90, before 12 additional minutes during which Ange Postecoglou’s side failed to put Chelsea under much pressure to challenge their lead.
[(Racing Club de Avellaneda) Strength]: 1. Racing Club de Avellaneda lost their first encounter 0-1, so they cannot afford any loss this time and must go all out to win, fully motivated.2. In the last domestic league game, Adrian Balboa performed well and scored the first goal to put the team ahead.3. Racing Club de Avellaneda scored 5 goals and conceded 5 in the last 5 games with good performance...
[(Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Strength]: 1. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors performed stably across all competitions this season. Since April, the team have remained unbeaten in the last 20 matches.2. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at halftime in 4 consecutive games, getting into form quickly on offense.3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at least 2 goals per game in 5 consecutive matches, showing strong attack.4....
[(Velez Sarsfield) Strength]: 1. During their first encounter, Velez Sarsfield played a goalless draw. In this home game, they vow to grab a win and advance, with full motivation.2. Braian Romero withstood the pressure in the last game and scored a penalty in the final moment, helping the team seal a last-gasp victory.3. Velez Sarsfield defeated Club Atletico Independiente 2-1 in the last game, wh...
[(Ferencvaros) Strength]: 1. Ferencvaros are motivated to win this home game and take the lead in advancing.2. Cadu scored a goal in the last game, once helping the team tie the game.3. Ferencvaros received 3 wins and 1 loss in the last 4 home games, revealing outstanding home performances.4. Ferencvaros scored 11 goals and conceded 3 in the last 5 games, boasting excellent attack and solid defens...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. The first leg of the Semi-finals will see Gwangju FC play at home first. They hope to grab the advantage, with full motivation.2. Gwangju FC forward Reis scored twice in the last game, being in good form.3. Gwangju FC performed well and scored a 2-0 win over Daejeon Hana Citizen in hte last game, thus getting back on the winning ways.4. AH market provided home team a -1...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. In the last league game, Korean internationals Oh Se Hun and Na Sang Ho both scored in open play, showing decent performances.2. This game is FC Machida Zelvia's fourth consecutive home game, which is in favor of them.3. FC Machida Zelvia won 3-0 over Cerezo Osaka in the last league game, securing a 10-game winning streak across all competitions.4. FC Machida Zel...
[(Crvena Zvezda) Strength]: 1. Crvena Zvezda vow to win this home game in order to grab the advancing advantage, with full motivation.2. Aleksandar Katai performed very well in the last domestic league game. He scored a hat-trick in a win for the team.3. Crvena Zvezda defeated Mladost Lucani 4-1 in the last domestic league game. They achieved 7 wins and 1 draw in the last 8 games, being in red-hot...
[(Sao Paulo FC) Strength]: 1. Sao Paulo FC drew with Atletico Nacional in the first leg on the road. They will advance to the next round if they win this round at home, indicating full motivation to win.2. Sao Paulo FC signed Serie A team Atalanta BC captain Rafael Toloi recently. He is expected to make his debut in this match.3. Sao Paulo FC drew 2-2 with Sport Club do Recife in the last league g...
[(Chengdu Rongcheng FC) Strength]: 1. Chengdu Rongcheng FC drew 0-0 with Qingdao Hainiu F.C. in the last Chinese Super League, ending their winning streak. However, the team were unbeaten with 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 6 games, showing commendable performances.2. Chengdu Rongcheng FC scored 12 goals in the last 5 home games, revealing outstanding attack at home.3. Chengdu Rongcheng FC are now ...
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima have achieved 14 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in the league so far this season. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 18 goals in 26 league matches, and currently rank 5th in the league standings. The team will play at home in this game and have a strong desire to win.2. Naoto Arai, the main defender of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, has performed stea...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 3 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 4 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 5 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 6 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 7 TIPS - Gwangju FC VS Daejeon Hana Citizen
- 8 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 9 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer
- 10 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss