Joao Pedro finally ended his Chelsea goal drought as the Brazilian striker sealed a 1–0 victory over Tottenham, extending Spurs’ miserable home run on Saturday.
Enzo Maresca’s side took the lead late in the first half of the London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Joao Pedro struck decisively. It was his first goal in nine matches across all competitions, his last coming against Fulham on 30 August.
The 24-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Brighton in a £60 million summer transfer, has now scored just three goals for the Blues.
Chelsea’s third win in their last four Premier League fixtures lifted them to fourth place, level on points with third-placed Tottenham but trailing on goal difference.
Tottenham, however, remain winless at home in the league since defeating Burnley on the opening weekend of the season in August. Their poor home form, which began under Ange Postecoglou, has persisted under new boss Thomas Frank, who has yet to reverse the trend.
Although Spurs were knocked out of the League Cup by Newcastle in midweek, they have shown stronger form away from home, including a convincing 3–0 victory at Everton in their previous league outing.
However, Tottenham supporters are growing restless with Frank’s cautious tactics, which clash with the club’s attacking ‘to dare is to do’ philosophy.
Frank’s afternoon took an early turn for the worse when Lucas Bergvall sustained a head injury and was replaced by concussion substitute Xavi Simons. Bergvall appeared frustrated with the medical staff’s decision to withdraw him, angrily pushing one of them before Frank stepped in to calm the situation.
Sloppy Spurs
Alejandro Garnacho looked Chelsea’s liveliest attacker in the opening half, forcing Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario into an early save from long range.
Vicario suffered a knee knock midway through the half but continued after treatment and soon denied Joao Pedro from close range after a ricochet off Garnacho.
Pedro, however, made amends in the 34th minute. Moises Caicedo dispossessed Simons and Micky van de Ven on the edge of the Spurs area and slipped the ball to Pedro, who fired emphatically into the roof of the net from six yards.
Frank reacted furiously to Tottenham’s slack defending, kicking a water bottle in frustration on the touchline.
Joao Pedro nearly doubled his tally moments later, forcing Vicario into a fingertip save with a powerful effort from Malo Gusto’s pass.
Rodrigo Bentancur was fortunate to escape with only a booking after a reckless challenge on Reece James was judged “not serious foul play.”
Tottenham finally tested Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez just before the interval through Mohammed Kudus, but the Spaniard saved comfortably.
Enzo Fernández squandered a glorious chance to double Chelsea’s lead early in the second half, heading over from James’s inviting cross.
Tottenham’s inability to maintain possession and lack of attacking drive left their supporters visibly agitated, as Chelsea continued to dominate.
Vicario had to intervene again to tip Pedro Neto’s fierce strike over the bar, and Tottenham failed to mount a meaningful late challenge, condemning them to yet another disappointing home defeat.