Tottenham Hotspur’s unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge which also moved Chelsea to the summit of the league once again. The gripping London Derby was a tale of two halves and did pack a substantial amount of spices – two spectacular goals, Conte’s vivacious celebrations at the sidelines and a heated argument between both managers that thankfully concluded with handshakes.
In terms of team selections, no surprise that Conte deployed the similar XI and formation while Mauricio Pochettino had to make a number of changes as some key players continue to receive medical attentions.
Spurs started the game livelier, showing more purpose and clearly looking to exorcise their midweek Champions League setback and the poor record against the Blues, especially at Stamford Bridge. In the 10th minute, Christian Eriksen broke the deadlock with a left-footed thunderous strike that ended Chelsea’s clean sheet streak and downright silenced the home crowd. The Danish international has been off colors since the season started and it was the perfect way to alarm his return. Teeming with confidence, the visitors looked like the home side while the Blues weren’t even finding solutions for a comeback. Dembele and Wanyama completely overwhelmed their opponents in the middle of the park with quick pressing and challenges, while Kyle Walker rather employed like an auxiliary winger on the right flank.
As it was looking like the away side would be marching into the break, holding onto the lead, Pedro clawed one back with a sublime goal. Not being closed down quickly by the Spurs defenders, the former Barcelona man brilliantly working the space before hitting a curled right-footed effort into the far corner, leaving Hugo Lloris no chance. His third goal of the season got the home fans and Conte springing with ecstasy.
Both teams resumed the match in the second period with no changes to their side. Five minutes later, Chelsea’s most improved player this season, Victor Moses got the home side ahead with a clean strike, resulting from a Diego Costa assist, who bombarded into the penalty box with sheer grit despite being shackled by a couple of Spurs defenders. Though, Pochettino would be infuriated looking at Moses finding so much space in the 18-yard box. Adding up to his frustrations, Conte’s reactions not far away got them exchanging a few words yet it did not stop the Chelsea boss to continually urge the home crowd to make it a pressure-cooker environment for the visitors.
Since taking the lead, it was all Chelsea. They grew in confidence as the match advanced and habitually started knocking the doors of the Spurs backline. Yet, the man to watch, Eden Hazard was somewhat quiet by his standards. Both managers brought in a number of fresh players from the bench yet the score remained in favours of Antonio Conte’s team.
It’s been a disastrous week for the team in white and they’ll be looking to bounce back when they host Swansea at home next weekend. The Blues, on the other hand, will pat themselves on the back having registered 7 wins on the trot.
As exciting as the match, we have rounded up some of the best tweets from around the world.
Better. Quicker, smarter pass from Matic finds Pedro, and you get a little bit more time to be able to pull off something like that.
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) November 26, 2016
That turn from Pedro reminded me of Oscar vs Juventus. Not quite the strike but still very, very good.
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) November 26, 2016
Victor Moses: Great talent that’s so far had a career of being shipped out with no future at any of the clubs.
Conte has given him belief.
— West Ham Social (@WestHamSocial) November 26, 2016
This is the Pedro that Chelsea thought they were getting from Barcelona. In the right role/ system he can be spectacular #cfc #thfc
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) November 26, 2016
This is Victor Moses’ season. What a player.
— ️ (@HazardEdition) November 26, 2016
Pedro stunning turn and finish 1-1, magical. #CHETOT
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) November 26, 2016
Victor Moses you are amazing
You deserve your place at Chelsea
Well done Diego Costa for the play
Damn. Just damn.— ConteTweets (@ConteTweets) November 26, 2016
Moses splits Tottenham apart
— ChelsTransfer (@ChelsTransfer) November 26, 2016
Wow… What a strike from @ChrisEriksen8 0-1!!!! #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/btjvUndoEz
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) November 26, 2016
Turnaround at Stamford Bridge.. 2-1 Chelsea! Dier needs to close down nearer… Moses is on after getting opportunity under Conte! #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/Gk4OrxGTnQ
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) November 26, 2016
Cracking goal from Eriksen. Come on Spurs, I’m sick of that bloody Stamford Bridge record.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 26, 2016
44 great minutes, one mistake and we never recovered mentally. A lot of really good young players in our squad who need to grow up #THFC
— Julian Betts (@BettsJulian) November 26, 2016
Unbeaten run was nice record but a lot of draws tainted it. Decent performance 1st 45 – hopefully it’s a wake up call to start winning more.
— Nikhil Saglani (@Nikhil_Saglani) November 26, 2016
Really disappointed. Thought we would get pumped but instead we just gifted it to them, they didn’t have to do anything to win it. A gift.
— General Burkinshaw (@TsideSpurs) November 26, 2016
Things we learned today. Wimmer isn’t a full back. Dier isn’t a centre back. We will never win again at Chelsea. We need to buy quality.
— Tottenham Grammar (@PhilYiddo) November 26, 2016
Played really well so not too disappointed. On the plus side, Alderweireld and Lamela should be back next week. #COYS
— Stephen Vincent (@StevieV14) November 26, 2016
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