Tottenham secured only their second Premier League win at Stamford Bridge with a 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, thanks to an own goal from goalkeeper Mike Penders and a late strike from Mathys Tel. Chelsea finished the match with ten men after Cole Palmer was sent off in the 80th minute.
Not since Dele Alli scored twice in a 3-1 win in April 2018 had Spurs left Stamford Bridge with three points. Before that, their previous league victory at the ground came in 1990, when Gary Lineker scored the winner.
De Zerbi praises collective mentality
Speaking after the game, Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi praised his side's collective mentality in blustery conditions. "We played very well," he said. "There were great individual performances, and a great collective performance."
De Zerbi highlighted the performance of Mateus Fernandes, the £86m summer signing who played the full 90 minutes. "I love watching my players fighting on the pitch. Fernandes played 90 minutes with a big, big, big quality. I want to see Fernandes with personality. I want to see Fernandes enjoy the ball, even if he can make a mistake, it doesn't matter," he added.
Results elsewhere meant Spurs headed into the fixture back in the relegation zone, while Chelsea began the afternoon fourth under new manager Xabi Alonso. It was Tottenham, however, who looked the more confident and settled side.
Maddison injury mars first half
The visitors controlled possession from the opening stages, with Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and James Maddison regularly combining to play through Chelsea's midfield. The best opportunity of the first half fell to Omar Marmoush, but he directed a tame effort at Penders from close range.
Chelsea carried a significant threat themselves, with Antonín Kinsky producing a strong save to tip Palmer's effort around the post. Just three minutes after the restart, Maddison was forced off with an injury and replaced by former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. It was only Maddison's second start since May 2025 due to long-term injury problems.
De Zerbi was hopeful afterwards that the injury would not prove serious, stating: "I hope it's not a big problem because he's a special player for us. We need him."
Fernandes and Tonali click
De Zerbi has struggled at times this season to get his big-money summer signings, Fernandes and Tonali, clicking. At Stamford Bridge, it looked like he had finally cracked the code, with Tottenham's midfield three consistently positioning themselves in triangles to escape Chelsea's press.
A fixture known for its animosity boiled over in the 71st minute. Spurs captain Micky van de Ven was booked for a late challenge on Moises Caicedo before Fernandes handled the ball to halt Chelsea's counter-attack. Palmer then barged Fernandes to the ground, sparking a confrontation involving players and both benches. Fernandes and Palmer were booked, although De Zerbi felt the Chelsea forward could have been shown a straight red card.
Own goal and Tel strike seal victory
Six minutes later came the breakthrough. Penders, making his first Premier League start, failed to deal with Fernandes' corner under pressure from Jean-Paul van Hecke and punched the ball into his own net. Only two minutes later, Palmer caught Gallagher late and was shown a second yellow card.
The decisive moment came in the 87th minute. Tel won possession inside his own half before driving directly at the Chelsea defence, cutting inside past Maxence Lacroix and firing low into the corner. For a player who has struggled at times to make his mark since joining Spurs permanently, it was a fabulous individual goal.
The away side began the afternoon in the relegation zone and facing one of the most difficult fixtures on their calendar. Yet they left Stamford Bridge having secured what must be De Zerbi's finest victory since taking charge. After a difficult start to the season, they will hope this result will finally kickstart their campaign.
