toptop
Tottenham
ended their 28-year Stamford Bridge hoodoo as Dele Alli struck twice in a 3-1
win to severely dent Chelsea’s top-four hopes on Super Sunday.
Not since the days of Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne had Spurs triumphed at the
Bridge and their first Premier League win there came the hard way having fallen
behind to Alvaro Morata's opener (30).
With a fit-again Harry Kane back amongst the substitutes, Christian Eriksen's
stunning 30-yard strike was a real game-changer (45+1) for Spurs before Alli,
who was making his 100th Premier League appearance, struck twice in four minutes
(62, 66) after half-time.
The result leaves Antonio Conte's men eight points behind Tottenham in fourth
with their only hope of silverware being the FA Cup, where they play Southampton
in the semi-final.
Player Ratings
Chelsea: Caballero (5), Rudiger (6), Christensen (6),
Azpilicueta (7), Moses (4), Kante (7), Fabregas (3), Alonso (6), Willian (6),
Morata (6), Hazard (6).
Subs: Emerson (6), Giroud (6)
Tottenham: Lloris (6), Trippier (7), Vertonghen (7), Sanchez
(8), Davies (7), Dier (7), Dembele (7), Lamela (7), Alli (8), Eriksen (8), Son
(7)
Subs: Kane (6), Wanyama (6), Sissoko (6)
Man of the match: Dele Alli
The match was played in a hostile atmosphere following fixtures like the "Battle
of the Bridge" in 2016 when Spurs surrendered the title to Leicester courtesy of
a Chelsea comeback.
With the fast-paced tempo in midfield neither team had much space to work with
but Marcos Alonso, who scored twice in the reverse fixture at Wembley this
season, had a goal chalked off on 19 minutes as he was marginally offside from
an N'Golo Kante cross.
Spurs did not heed the warning of Chelsea's dangerous attacks down the right
flank and Morata made them pay on the half hour. Victor Moses swung in no more
than a decent cross and the Chelsea striker rose above a flapping Hugo Lloris to
flick in his first Premier League goal of 2018.
Chelsea remained a threat but Alonso was denied by Lloris and Kante had a
goal-bound effort blocked by Eric Dier.
Spurs looked short of ideas but Eriksen hauled them back into the game on the
stroke of the half with a stunning long-range effort.
There did not look much on from 30 yards out but the Dane pinged a swerving
effort that deceived a flat-footed Willy Caballero and flew into the roof of the
net.
Caballero redeemed himself somewhat after the break with a flying one-handed
save to deny Heung-Min Son but minutes later Spurs were in front, with a goal
which showcased the talent at the disposal of Gareth Southgate.
Dier picked out his international team-mate Alli with a super 50-yard pass over
the top and the 21-year-old controlled the ball into his stride before finishing
past Caballero.
Four minutes later, Alli wrapped up the game.
This effort was much scrappier than his first but nonetheless important as he
fired home from six-yards after a goalmouth scramble, where Chelsea's defenders
failed to clear their lines.
Kane was introduced with 15 minutes to go as Spurs dealt with a wave of Chelsea
pressure that was full of oomph but lacked a killer touch as another Premier
League title defence is left in tatters.
What's next?
Chelsea are back on Super Sunday next weekend with another London derby against
West Ham United while Spurs travel to relegation-threatened Stoke City on
Saturday afternoon.
Click Here For Official Team Sheet
Teams
Chelsea Caballero, Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Rudiger, Moses
(Giroud 81), Kante, Fabregas, Alonso (Emerson 83), Willian, Hazard, Morata
(Hudson-Odoi 88)
Subs Not Used Eduardo, Bakayoko, Cahill, Drinkwater
Booked
Goals Morata 30
Tottenham Hotspur Lloris (c), Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen,
Davies, Dier (Wanyama 81), Dembele, Lamela (Sissoko 88), Alli, Eriksen, Son
(Kane 74)
Subs Not Used Vorm, Rose, Aurier, Moura
Booked Davies
Goals Eriksen 45+1, Alli 62, 66
Attendance 41,364
Referee Andre Marriner