Chelsea secured the right when the West met the North in the London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side claimed their first win since beating Everton almost three weeks ago, sparking new hopes of breaking into the top seven and returning to Europe next season.
For Spurs, this was their second consecutive defeat after the loss to Arsenal and makes it increasingly likely that they will be playing Europa League football rather than Champions League football in 2024/25, trailing fourth-placed Aston by seven points It’s not realistic to close Villa with so few games left.
This device always has the potential to become sharp. Remember The Handshake?
Chelsea at Tottenham tonight.
My head is spinning that this only happened last season, it feels like a different decade.
– HLTCO (@HLTCO) May 2, 2024
Trevoh Chalobah gave Chelsea the lead with a header midway through the first half.
Trevoh Chalobah heads Chelsea into the lead! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XIs9T4BiyS
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2024
But there was also a long VAR check, during which an offside position and a possible foul were checked.
The VAR did its best to rule out the Chelsea goal, even though Cucurella was in play and Gallagher took the free kick.
Then they switched to a possible foul, which not a single Tottenham player called for!
“Clear and obvious” 😂
– Sripad (@falsewinger) May 2, 2024
Cucurella with the block is a foul
— Jamie Ohara (@Mrjamieohara1) May 2, 2024
Chalobah had been waiting for this for a long time.
It’s been a while! ⏰
Trevor Chalobah scores his first Premier League goal in over two years with a wonderful header that puts Chelsea ahead. #BBCFootball #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/GMUCJEKFRs
– Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 2, 2024
In doing so, he proves that his critics are wrong.
I’ll be honest, I’m a big critic of Trev Chalobah, but he’s been fantastic since coming back into the team. Props to him 👏💙 pic.twitter.com/xxqm6on877
– Chelsea Fans Responsibility (@CFCAccountable) May 2, 2024
Ultimately it wasn’t good defending against Spurs.
Tottenham concedes set pieces in every game. pic.twitter.com/nwL18wLmWP
– Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 2, 2024
“He went crazy”
Ange Postecoglou is not happy 😡 pic.twitter.com/eC0HKNa38v
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2024
Nicolas Jackson doubled Chelsea’s shot as the clock ticked into the final 20 minutes and converted the rebound as Cole Palmer’s free-kick flew back off the crossbar.
Nicolas Jackson scores TWO goals for Chelsea! 🔵🔥 pic.twitter.com/7HkXFoPD7N
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2024
His record against Spurs since moving to England is excellent.
Jackson vs Spurs this season
2 games
4 goalsSpurs owner 😭 pic.twitter.com/RcDnHkMoPt
– Janty (@CFC_Janty) May 2, 2024
It was also something of a milestone for the team after a lack of goalscorers in recent years.
For the first time since 2017/18, multiple Chelsea players have scored more than 10 goals in a Premier League season:
2017/18:
◎ 12 – Eden Hazard
◎ 11 – Alvarto Morata2023/24
◉ 20 – Cole Palmer
◉ 11 -Nicolas JacksonNobody reached double figures for them in the PL… pic.twitter.com/HV7SgnCOdd
– Squawka (@Squawka) May 2, 2024
Son Heung-min’s performance was not rated by anyone.
Son Heung – minimal effort tonight pic.twitter.com/Dzsg2MHuTi
— OldGold80 (@OGold80) May 2, 2024
It just wasn’t a good night for the Spurs.
Nothing on this planet makes me angrier than Tottenham Hotspur. Nothing.
– Talking about THFC (@TalkingTHFC) May 2, 2024
Sometimes the coach makes a mistake, but today it seems like it’s directly the fault of the players on the pitch. Lack of bravery all over the field and some ridiculous decisions. 2:0
– Hunter Godson (@HunterGodson) May 2, 2024
But it was also a big evening for the Chelsea youth team.
Alfie Gilchrist said goodbye with a standing ovation #CFC fans. Did well against Son and Johnson. Only second PL start. #CHETOT
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 2, 2024
Alfie Gilchrist comes out. He is tired. Josh Acheampong will make his Chelsea debut. Gigantic.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) May 2, 2024
The main hero of the evening was Marc Cucurella, who didn’t have an easy time at Chelsea.
Cucurella bows 🔵 pic.twitter.com/c3FKAHTv9U
— CFC Blues (@CFCBlues_com) May 2, 2024
Man of the match.
Marc Cucurella was an absolute titan tonight and took to his role like a natural.
Bow down, my son 💙 pic.twitter.com/Zxi8izslXF
— Tom Overend (@tovers98) May 2, 2024