Chelsea secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, boosting their chances for European football next season while dealing a significant blow to their London rivals’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Trevoh Chalobah met Conor Gallagher’s free-kick with a powerful header to put Chelsea in front. Despite a lengthy VAR check for a possible foul in the build-up, the goal stood.
Spurs struggled to create clear chances, with Cristian Romero missing their best opportunity with a headed effort wide of the mark. Chelsea capitalized on their control of the game in the 71st minute, with Cole Palmer’s free-kick hitting the bar and Nicolas Jackson heading in the rebound.
The victory lifted Chelsea to eighth place, just two points behind seventh-placed Newcastle and within reach of a European spot. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s hopes for a top-four finish took a hit as they are now seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with a game in hand.
The defeat confirmed Liverpool’s place in next season’s Champions League. Despite missing several key players to injury, Chelsea put in a strong performance, with Jackson and Gallagher particularly impressive.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, in his 400th game in English football, had to rely on his starting XI due to the lack of experienced options on the bench. However, his team struggled to find a rhythm and create meaningful chances.
With just two clean sheets in their last 25 Premier League games, Tottenham’s defensive frailties were evident once again. Manager Ange Postecoglou made five changes from their previous game but failed to inspire his side to victory.
The result leaves Tottenham with an uphill battle to secure a Champions League spot, while Chelsea’s European aspirations remain alive and kicking.