Chelsea secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, keeping their European football aspirations alive while dealing a significant blow to their London rivals’ Champions League qualification hopes.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Trevoh Chalobah rose to meet Conor Gallagher’s free-kick with a powerful header, despite a VAR check for a possible foul in the build-up.
Spurs struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Cristian Romero’s headed opportunity in the first half representing their best chance.
Chelsea doubled their lead in the 71st minute as Cole Palmer’s free-kick struck the bar and Nicolas Jackson headed in the rebound, sealing the win for the Blues.
The victory propelled Chelsea into eighth place, just two points behind seventh-placed Newcastle, keeping them within touching distance of a European spot. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s hopes of finishing in the top four suffered a setback as they fell seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with a game in hand.
The defeat confirmed Liverpool’s place in the Champions League for the 2024-25 season.
Chelsea’s strong home form continued, with Jackson posing a constant threat to the Spurs defense throughout the game. Despite several key players sidelined due to injury, Mauricio Pochettino’s side put in a resilient performance, with Gallagher impressing both on and off the pitch.
In contrast, Tottenham’s struggles persisted, with manager Ange Postecoglou making five changes from their previous defeat. Spurs’ recent dip in form, coupled with defensive vulnerabilities, has left them trailing in the race for a top-four finish, highlighting the challenges ahead for the North London club.