Chelsea restarted the machine against Tottenham. After a heavy defeat (5-0) against Arsenal, then a draw (2-2) against Aston Villa, the Blues rediscovered the taste of victory in an ultra-serious match on the defensive level against destitute Spurs ( 2-0), Thursday evening, in a late match of the 26th day of the Premier League.
The Blues thus gain a place in the ranking (8th) and are getting closer to Europe, Manchester United (6th) only having three points ahead. For its part, Tottenham sees 4th place and the Champions League slipping away.
If Tottenham, barring any surprises at the end of the season, should hold onto Europe at the end of the season, this has long been less the case for Chelsea this season. Maurici Pochettino’s Blues then counted on the two late matches they had to play to grab points and try to move up the standings. However, it’s not easy to face the current fifth in the championship to ensure this crazy comeback.
Trevoh Chalobah
Credit: Getty Images
A solid Chelsea
However, Chelsea were remarkably solid defensively. Despite some mistakes, at times, the Blues managed not to suffer too much at the start of the game, before quickly getting their feet back on the ball after the first quarter of an hour. For long minutes, Pochettino’s men controlled the game, stringing together runs and small opportunities.
It was before the half-hour mark that Trevoh Chalobah took advantage of a superb free kick from Conor Gallagher to deliver a perfect header to the opposite side, thus deceiving Guglielmo Vicario (1-0, 24th). Despite a burst of pride, Tottenham failed to appear dangerous until the end of the first period.
More enterprising after returning from the locker room, the Spurs then regained control of the game, without really finding the fault. The chances kept coming, with no less than 16 shots, with only 3 on target. A lack of efficiency which notably allowed Nicolas Jackson to score the break goal, again with a header, on a new free kick, this time hit by Cole Parmer (2-0, 72nd). Tottenham did not appear more opportunistic in the last 20 minutes, leaving the victory to Chelsea.
The Blues signed an important victory in the race for Europe, having had a complicated season in the championship. The three small points that separate them from Manchester United, 6th, allow Chelsea fans to hope to see their team defend their colors in a European competition next season, provided they do the job until the end.
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