Tottenham stun Chelsea for second league win in a week as Cole Palmer is sent off
· Guardian-PL
There were times when Roberto De Zerbi’s frustration threatened to boil over. The Tottenham manager cut a tense figure in his technical area. He bounced around for 90 minutes and let out blasts of fury whenever he saw something that displeased him, but in the end he was able to celebrate leading Spurs to their first win at Stamford Bridge since 2018. It was not a pretty game. It was not a good game. The breakthrough was a comedy own goal from Mike Penders. The young Belgian goalkeeper, deputising for the injured Emi Martínez, was culpable when Spurs went ahead, flapping at a corner from the excellent Mateus Fernandes and punching the ball into his own net. Jacob Steinberg’s full report to follow
There were times when Roberto De Zerbi’s frustration threatened to boil over. The Tottenham manager cut a tense figure in his technical area. He bounced around for 90 minutes and let out blasts of fury whenever he saw something that displeased him, but in the end he was able to celebrate leading Spurs to their first win at Stamford Bridge since 2018.
It was not a pretty game. It was not a good game. The breakthrough was a comedy own goal from Mike Penders. The young Belgian goalkeeper, deputising for the injured Emi Martínez, was culpable when Spurs went ahead, flapping at a corner from the excellent Mateus Fernandes and punching the ball into his own net.
Xabi Alonso, who saw his side lose at home for the first time this season, could argue there was an element of fortune to the result. But this was one of Chelsea’s worst performances since appointing the Spaniard in the summer. They were caught out at both ends. Penders’ inexperience proved costly and Chelsea struggled without João Pedro leading the line. It was strange that Alonso did not start Danny Welbeck.
Chelsea were blunt and knew they were beaten when Cole Palmer saw red shortly after the own goal. Mathys Tel soon made it 2-0 to clinch a second consecutive win for Spurs and lift them into 12th place.
- Jacob Steinberg’s full report to follow
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