Tottenham Hotspur ended a 36-year wait for a league win at Chelsea with a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, a result Roberto De Zerbi believes can transform their season.
Spurs had won only once in their previous 41 visits to their London rivals in all competitions, with Gary Lineker scoring the winner in February 1990. Their only other success at Chelsea during that period came in a 3-1 victory in 2018.
The latest win lifted Tottenham from the bottom of the Premier League to 12th, although their position remained subject to the rest of the weekend’s fixtures. They had moved off the foot of the table by beating fellow strugglers Coventry City 3-1 at home on Monday.
The scale of the achievement was reflected in the celebrations. Tottenham’s supporters reacted at the final whistle as though they had won a trophy, while players could be heard from the Stamford Bridge press room leaping around the dressing room still wearing their boots.
“I think we are playing well, not just today,” De Zerbi told BBC Radio after the celebrations had settled.
“Maybe now there is another atmosphere, there is another union amongst the players. With these two wins in a row they can believe more and more in themselves,” the Italian added, later saying: “We have suffered enough.”
Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders was making his full Premier League debut and handed Tottenham the lead when he punched a Matheus Fernandes corner into his own net. The game had appeared to be heading towards a goalless draw before the error.
Mathys Tel then doubled the visitors’ advantage with a breakaway finish 10 minutes later.
“It’s very special because we have come to Chelsea so many times and not got a win,” the French striker told Sky Sports. “We showed great mentality today and we need to enjoy this win.”
Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer was sent off between the two goals after receiving two yellow cards in the space of nine minutes. Tottenham controlled much of the match, finishing with 70% possession and 15 shots to Chelsea’s seven.
The Blues remained fourth in the table before Sunday’s fixtures but were below their fluent best. They were also without leading scorer Joao Pedro, who was injured in training on Friday and is due to undergo tests in the coming days.
“We need to be self-critical. We need to be at a better level,” Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso told the BBC. “Sometimes you feel good and today, collectively and individually, we were not at our best.”
Asked about Palmer’s quick succession of bookings, Alonso said Chelsea needed greater self-control after collecting eight red cards last season.
“In those situations, the first yellow card can be decisive,” the Spaniard said. “It’s a process of the maturity of the team and of the individual players as well.”
