Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham: What Were The Main Talking Points As Mauricio Pochettino Comes Back To Haunt Spurs Once Again?

Putting in what was a dominant performance at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, Chelsea claimed London bragging rights as they secured a 2-0 victory against historic rivals Tottenham.

With their sights still firmly set on securing some kind of European return over the final few weeks, Mauricio Pochettino’s side opened the scoring midway through the first-half as Trevoh Chalobah produced a smart header.

Storming their way to a 4-1 victory when they travelled to north London for their reverse meeting against Spurs back in November, the Blues hardly had to get out of third gear as they secured a deserved victory in SW6.

With Senegal international Nicolas Jackson wrapping up all three points for Pochettino’s side after Cole Palmer rattled the woodwork with a thunderous free-kick, Chelsea have now collected 13 points from their previous five showdowns at Stamford Bridge.

As for Tottenham, now losing all of their three Premier League appearances on the bounce and collecting just a single domestic victory throughout April, Spurs will now be more than aware that their Champions League dreams are hanging by a thread.

On a night when Chelsea made another European statement in west London, we have taken a look at the main talking points.

Chelsea make a European statement of intent

Although Chelsea might have continued to show some extended inconsistencies since they welcomed Pochettino back to London last summer, the Blues will take away a string of positives following a dominant display here.

While the former Premier League champions might have opened up the New Year tipped as a landslide underdog in this season’s European chase, Thursday’s hosts are now breathing down the necks of both Newcastle and bitter rivals Manchester United.

Drawing a line under their three-match winless rut here and now sat within striking distance of skyrocketing into the Europa League spots, Chelsea will also be excited by their continued success on home soil.

Including a 6-0 romp against Everton on April 15th, Pochettino’s men have collected 13 points from just their last five Premier League showdowns in west London.

With the mood around Stamford Bridge appearing to be at a season-high, Chelsea should once again be smelling a golden opportunity when they welcome a struggling West Ham across the capital on Sunday afternoon.

Tottenham’s Champions League dreams take a huge blow

While Tottenham might have continued to receive a string of plaudits since they welcomed Ange Postecoglou to north London last summer, Spurs find themselves at the heart of what has become an extended crisis.

Although Thursday’s guests might have been desperate to claim a lucrative Champions League return this season, the Lilywhites have now lost all of their previous three Premier League appearances and their top-four ambitions are hanging by a thread.

Spurs now sit seven points adrift of dethroning Aston Villa in the top-four chase and with just a single game advantage remaining to their name over the final few weeks.

Eventually failing to mark what would have been an iconic north London comeback away at arch-rivals Arsenal last weekend as they slumped to a 3-2 defeat, Tottenham have also continued to gain a reputation for their glaring issues at the back.

Losing all of their previous three consecutive outings by an aggregate score of 9-2, Postecoglou’s side have also mustered just a single clean sheet from any of their last 15 appearances across all competitions.

Jackson haunts Spurs once again

While the record-breaking Palmer might have continued on a sensational flurry since arriving from Manchester City last summer, he is not the only new recruit who has impressed in their maiden campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Although Jackson might have come under plenty of scrutiny this year after missing a host of big chances, the Senegal international has become a real fan favourite around SW6.

Producing a smart second-half header here and essentially wrapping up all three points for the Blues, Jackson has gained a reputation for his relentless work rate leading Chelsea’s charge.

Bagging a first Premier League hat-trick when Chelsea travelled to Spurs for their reverse top-flight showdown on November 6th, Jackson has now registered four goals in his back-to-back appearances against Thursday’s guests this season.

Receiving a string of plaudits from Pochettino and with the ex-Tottenham boss making it clear that 22-year-old has a leading role to play next year, Jackson is the only player that sits alongside Palmer on double digits at Stamford Bridge.

Match Report

Chelsea: Petrovic, Gilchrist, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson

Subs: Acheampong, Casadei, Tauriainen

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Emerson Royal, Sarr, Bissouma, Johnson, Kulusevski, Son, Richarlison

Subs: Gil, Bentancur, Maddison, Lo Celso, Hojbjerg

Goals: Chelsea: Chalobah (24’), Jackson (72’)

Yellow Cards: van de Ven

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Robert Jones