FOOTBALL
EPL: Chelsea overcome Spurs to bag vital win
Chelsea ended their four-match winless run in the league with a resounding 2-0 London Derby victory over Spurs, thanks to second-half goals from Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva.
It was the third time this month that the Blues have defeated their neighbours.
Earlier, they had recorded an aggregate victory of 3-0 over the Lilywhites in the Carabao Cup semifinals.
Since Antonio Conte took over, Tottenham had been unbeaten in the league. In midweek, they showed incredible character to turn around their match against Leicester City with two late goals.
But, they couldn’t replicate that feat on Stamford Bridge last night.
Chelsea start strongly
Chelsea had a brilliant start to the game and only have themselves to blame for not getting ahead within the opening ten minutes.
Romelu Lukaku, who had enough time and space to perfect his effort, saw his volley fly over the crossbar only 45 seconds after the kick-off.
Minutes later, Lukaku sent a threatening ball towards the far post, but Callum Hudson-Odoi could only fire wide.
Chelsea continued to bang on the visitors’ door and in the 19th minute their sustained spell of pressure could have reduced Tottenham to 10-men.
The VAR took a lengthy look at Matt Doherty’s challenge on Malang Sarr before ruling it a no-red card offence.
After surviving that scare, the North Londoners were relieved to see Lukaku and Hudson-Odoi failed to make the best of their chances again.
Spurs show some spunk
Towards the end of the half, Spurs grew in confidence and started to come out of their shell.
Ryan Sessegnon had a go at the Chelsea goal from a Spurs counter, but his shot trailed way off the target.
Tottenham did get the ball on the back of the net moments later, but the celebrations were shortlived as the VAR adjudged Harry Kane of unlawfully pushing Thiago Silva to the ground before punching the ball into the net.
Ziyech’s memorable strike
After the break, Chelsea broke the deadlock with a remarkable Hakim Ziyech goal.
The Moroccan’s long-ranger sailed into the top corner from 20 yards out. Ziyech could have soon doubled his and Chelsea’s tally a few minutes later as Hugo Lloris made an excellent save to deny him a second.
But, Chelsea had to wait only eight minutes for their second goal.
Mason Mount dispatched another pinpoint corner into the Spurs box and Thiago Silva jumped above the opposition defenders to meet it with an equally convincing header.
It was a point of no return for Tottenham.
They rarely threatened afterwards. Harry Kane did came close to grabbing a consolation goal in the dying minutes, but Kepa Arrizabalaga was alert to preserve Chelsea’s clean-sheet.