Headed goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson gave Chelsea a 2-0 victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, dealing a blow to Spurs’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. next season.
The former Chalobah Academy defender deftly deflected the ball into the top corner following a Conor Gallagher free kick 35 meters out in the 24th minute on Friday morning AEST.
It gave Chelsea a deserved lead after sustained pressure from the home team, with opportunities for Mykhailo Mudryk, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke.
Spurs defender Micky van de Ven kept his team in the game, with last minute tackles in the box and a clearance off the line.
Tottenham’s Australian coach, Ange Postecoglou, looked furious on the bench during the first 45 minutes and his team came out into the second half with greater vigor and determination.
But the efforts of Son Heung-min and Pedro Porro were blocked and saved.
Senegal’s Jackson calmed the home nerves during the course of the game in the 72nd minute when he was on hand to head in after a free kick from Chelsea’s top scorer Cole Palmer hit the crossbar and rebounded.
The three points, which moved them up to eighth place, were vital to Chelsea’s progress, under former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, towards a Europa League place after a disappointing season, but left Tottenham seven points behind. of the first four.
Postecoglou took responsibility for the defeat.
“I feel like we’ve lost a bit of faith and conviction in our football and it’s up to me to change that,” he told Sky Sports.
“We weren’t good enough. That’s on me.”
Tottenham have a poor record against their south-west London rivals. They lost their home game last November 4-1 and have only won one of their last 10 games.
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