Tottenham’s fight for Premier League survival will go down to the final day after they were beaten 2-1 by rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Match Report
A point would have been enough to virtually secure Spurs’ top-flight status due to their superior goal difference over West Ham.
However, Roberto De Zerbi’s side now know they must defeat Everton on Sunday to guarantee their place in the Premier League next season, although a draw is still likely to suffice.
Spurs began brightly and nearly found an early breakthrough when Mathys Tel connected with Pedro Porro’s cross, only to head against the post with Robert Sanchez beaten.
Chelsea gradually settled into the game, with Cole Palmer forcing a strong save from Antonin Kinsky before the visitors fell behind in the 18th minute. Enzo Fernandez unleashed a strike from 25 yards that nestled into the bottom-left corner.
The Blues continued pressing for another goal and almost doubled their advantage when Fernandez’s free-kick crashed against the crossbar, while Palmer squandered a huge opportunity in first-half stoppage time.
Chelsea, who will be managed by Xabi Alonso next season, eventually extended their lead in the 67th minute through Andrey Santos after capitalising on Randal Kolo Muani’s costly giveaway.
Spurs responded seven minutes later as Richarlison converted from close range after an inventive backheel assist from Pape Matar Sarr, and De Zerbi’s men pushed hard for an equaliser late in the contest.
James Maddison saw a promising effort prevented by a superb last-ditch intervention from Jorrel Hato before the Spurs midfielder sent a free-kick over the bar deep into stoppage time.
Data Debrief: Spurs succumb to Chelsea yet again
On the same day Arsenal secured the Premier League title for the first time since 2004, Spurs remain unsure if they will face their North London rivals next season after another defeat to Chelsea.
Spurs have now suffered 39 Premier League defeats against Chelsea, with only Manchester United causing them more losses in the competition (40). Meanwhile, the Blues ended a seven-match winless league streak, scoring as many goals in this game as they had managed across those previous seven outings combined.
Chelsea are now unbeaten in eight matches (W6 D2), marking their longest home unbeaten streak in Premier League London derbies since a 13-game run between January 2013 and May 2015.
Calum McFarlane’s team, though, had to battle hard for the victory. They recorded an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.63 from nine shots, compared to Spurs’ 1.72 from the same number of attempts, although only three of Tottenham’s efforts were on target.
Spurs’ survival hopes on the final day could hinge on Richarlison, who faces former club Everton — the side he famously helped save from relegation in 2022.
Richarlison has contributed to 15 Premier League goals this season (11 goals, four assists). Only once before, during the 2019-20 campaign with Everton (16), has he registered more goal involvements in a single Premier League season.
The 29-year-old has now scored 75 Premier League goals, with only Roberto Firmino (82) and Gabriel Jesus (78) netting more among Brazilian players in the competition’s history.
