CHELSEA extended their brilliant run at home to Tottenham – thanks to two headers.
The Blues have not lost at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League to their fierce rivals since April 2018.
And Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson ensured Mauricio Pochettino did not let that record slip against his former employers.
The pair found the net either side of half-time from two very different free-kicks that ended up with the same outcome: the ball in the back of the net and the home fans going bananas.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Mauricio Pochettino’s men…
Completely uninvolved for opening stages before a smart low stop to turn away a cross – then did the same seconds after the break.
That was just about that for the Serbian stopper.
Could not resist the cry of 40,000 Chelsea fans screaming “shooooot” as the ball fell kindly to him on the corner of the box – but the right-back couldn’t keep his sweet drive down.
Outjumped at the back post by Cristian Romero who should have equalised but failed to find the target with his close-range header – where have we heard that before this week?
Limped off with five minutes to go having put in a top shift against some quality attackers.
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Sent Stamford Bridge into raptures with his cracking, old-school header after evading his marker at the back post.
His first goal since March 2022 – and he had even longer to wait as VAR checked offside and a foul but eventually it was confirmed… well worth the extra few minutes.
Then made a vital last-ditch challenge to deny Pape Sarr just before half-time and produced another fine sliding tackle to dispossess Son Heung-min.
In the week Thiago Silva announced his exit, Badiashile showed what Chelsea fans can expect for years to come with a Rolls-Royce performance keeping Richarlison very quiet.
So much so that the Brazilian was dragged off on the hour having offered absolutely nothing – well, 18 touches to be precise.
Organised the back four, solid throughout and confident stepping out with the ball. Excellent.
Trevoh Chalobah heads Chelsea into the lead!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2024pic.twitter.com/XIs9T4BiyS
Caught out of position a couple of times early on then touch let him down at other end in great position.
Could have been in Chalobah’s bad books if he was penalised for a cynical off-the-ball block before the goal.
Did make an important intervention as Spurs built pressure, though, and was fortunate to win the very soft free-kick for second goal.
Chelsea fans showed their love for the skipper before kick-off with a giant tifo unfurled up The Shed.
And the captain delivered with a peach of a free-kick delivery to the back post for Chalobah to open the scoring.
Helped provide calm head in what is always an emotional game, constantly barking out orders and instructions to his team-mates.
Again seemed to thrive with a bit more freedom in the absence of fellow £100million-plus midfield partner Enzo Fernandez.
Just put too much weight on a through ball that could have set Nicolas Jackson through for a one-on-one – should have done better, really.
Might have had his heart in his mouth when tussling with Emerson Royal in Blues area, but the Spurs man’s theatrical fall did not help his penalty appeals.
At the other end, his eyes lit up as he flashed a fizzing effort just over.
Very much won his battle with Emerson Royal and often made the right decision – even if it did not yield a goal. There’s a lot to like about the winger when he’s on song.
Had no chance with early open goal as ball smashed at him and just couldn’t sort his feet out in time.
As usual, effortlessly carried the ball forward with that languid style of his – but was a bit too casual with his first-time effort early in second half.
Desperately, desperately unlucky not to make it 2-0 when his pearler of a free-kick flew over the wall and crashed against the underside of the bar… thankfully Jackson was following in.
Certainly Chelsea’s liveliest player in the first half.
Constantly wanted to get on the ball and cause havoc for the Spurs defence – creating plenty of chances before curling one of his own beyond the far post.
A few hits and a few misses – the story of his Chelsea career so far. Much quieter after the break.
Less than 90 seconds on the clock when he got into his first spat with Cristian Romero. Who had minute two on the sweepstake?
Three minutes later was in behind the Argentine and should have scored but Guglielmo Vicario and Micky van der Ven combined to just about clear.
Did get the goal for his efforts on 72 minutes, though, as he reacted first to that Palmer free-kick and looped a header over three Spurs men on the line, cue bedlam inside the Bridge.
Nicolas Jackson makes it TWO for Chelsea!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2024
