Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London – A solitary goal from Joao Pedro was enough to secure a hard-fought victory for Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur in a tense London derby on Saturday. The Brazilian forward's 34th-minute strike ended his recent goal drought and propelled Chelsea up the Premier League table.
The match began with a high tempo, with both teams eager to assert their dominance. However, it was Chelsea who gradually gained control, dictating the play with their midfield dynamism. Tottenham, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, with their attacking moves often stifled by Chelsea's organized defense.
Chelsea's dominance paid off in the 34th minute when a mistake by Tottenham's Xavi Simons and Micky van de Ven allowed Moises Caicedo to win back possession. Caicedo then teed up Joao Pedro, who finished emphatically from close range, giving Chelsea a deserved lead. This was Pedro's first goal in nine games across all competitions, since his strike against Fulham on August 30th.
Tottenham attempted to respond, but they found it difficult to break down Chelsea's resilient defense. Their only shot on target came just before halftime when Mohammed Kudus's effort was saved by Robert Sanchez. Chelsea, meanwhile, continued to create chances, with Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham's goalkeeper, forced into several saves to keep his team in the game.
The second half saw Chelsea maintain their control, although Tottenham showed glimpses of attacking intent. Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens had opportunities to extend Chelsea's lead, but Vicario proved to be a formidable barrier. Tottenham's frustration grew as the game wore on, and the home fans booed their team off the pitch at full time.
Chelsea's victory was their seventh in eight Premier League games, lifting them to fourth in the table. The win also extended Chelsea's impressive record against Tottenham, with 11 wins in their last 14 games. For Tottenham, the defeat was their third at home under their new boss, Thomas Frank, and highlighted their struggles to maintain consistency.
Speaking after the match, Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca acknowledged Joao Pedro's recent struggles with fitness, suggesting it had impacted his form. However, he expressed confidence in the player's ability to score goals once he regained full fitness. Joao Pedro himself admitted he "needed this goal" and emphasized the importance of contributing to the team's success. Thomas Frank, Tottenham's manager, lamented his team's lack of "energy and intensity" and acknowledged Chelsea were the better side.
