Saturday’s north London derby saw Chelsea sneak past Tottenham 1-0, thanks to a smart, calm finish from Joao Pedro inside the penalty box.
The Blues left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with all three points and a sense of satisfaction after a convincing performance, though they may feel they could have added to their tally.
Caicedo Leads a Midfield Masterclass
Chelsea’s midfield dynamo, Moises Caicedo, was the driving force behind their dominance.
His tenacity and tactical awareness allowed Chelsea to control the game with ease, leaving Thomas Frank’s Tottenham struggling to create meaningful chances.
By the final whistle, Spurs’ disjointed and lacklustre display had their own fans booing them off the pitch.
A Clever Tactic Against Long Throws
Chelsea’s defensive organisation was particularly noteworthy when dealing with Tottenham’s long throws—a set-piece weapon that had troubled them in previous matches, including their loss to Sunderland.
When Kevin Danso lined up a throw-in near Chelsea’s box, three Blues players—Malo Gusto, Joao Pedro, and Alejandro Garnacho—sprinted forward to the halfway line, dragging three Spurs players with them.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez calmly claimed the ball and quickly launched a counter-attack, with Enzo Fernandez leading the charge.
The same tactic was repeated in the second half, showcasing Enzo Maresca’s tactical ingenuity.
Controversy Over Goalkeeper Injury Time
The match also reignited the debate over goalkeepers and injury breaks.
In the seventh minute, Spurs lost Lucas Bergvall to concussion checks, disrupting their rhythm.
Soon after, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario went down with a seemingly mysterious injury, giving Thomas Frank a chance to gather his team.
Chelsea staff were visibly frustrated, suspecting the delay might have been used strategically, highlighting the ongoing debate about allowing goalkeepers to consult their coaching staff during treatment.
Spurs Struggle to Respect Authority
Bergvall’s reluctance to leave the field after his concussion, combined with visible dissent from teammates like Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven after the final whistle, underlined Tottenham’s ongoing disciplinary issues.
While Bergvall’s frustration is understandable, player safety must take priority, and their reactions drew attention to the importance of following authority on the pitch.
Reece James Shines as Captain
Chelsea captain Reece James demonstrated exemplary leadership throughout the match.
From organising his teammates at half-time to celebrating every defensive action in front of the away fans, James showed exactly why Maresca expects so much from him.
His performance was pivotal alongside Caicedo, who continues to spark debate as one of the Premier League’s finest defensive midfielders.
Caicedo in Premier League Conversations
Moises Caicedo’s display has reignited discussions about the best defensive midfielders in England.
While names like Declan Rice and Rodri often dominate the conversation, Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca insists Caicedo ranks at the very top, highlighting the Ecuadorian’s growing influence on the league.
Fofana and Chalobah Form a Defensive Wall
Despite off-field controversy surrounding Wesley Fofana’s reckless driving incident, his performance on the pitch alongside Trevoh Chalobah was impeccable.
The duo provided a rock-solid defensive partnership in front of Sanchez, helping Chelsea keep a clean sheet and secure the crucial win in a high-stakes London derby.