Chelsea produced a stunning second half fightback to come from 2-0 down to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3.
Enzo Maresca’s side went 2-0 down after just 11 minutes against Tottenham, with Spurs finding the back of the net through Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski. While both goals were aided by Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, who slipped twice to gift Spurs the ball, they were excellent strikes which Robert Sanchez had little chance of saving.
On 17 minutes, Jadon Sancho managed to grab a goal back for the Blues, who threw everything they could at Spurs in the first half in search of an equaliser. And then after the break, they levelled proceedings at 2-2 when Cole Palmer fired his penalty past Fraser Forester following a wild challenge from Yves Bissouma on Moises Caicedo.
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Enzo Fernandez then put Chelsea ahead on 73 minutes with a beautiful half-volley, with Palmer then wrapping things up for Maresca’s side on 84 minutes with a stunning Paneka penalty to make it 4-2.
Tottenham did grab a goal back in injury time through Heung-Min Son, but the game was effectively over – with the result moving the Blues to within four points of Liverpool.
And here are five things Maresca will have learned from the impressive comeback from his side against Tottenham…
Chelsea are in the Premier League title race
Chelsea are in the Premier League title race – and they might be the team that challenges Liverpool this season. Earlier on Sunday, Arsenal slipped up by drawing 1-1 with Fulham on a day they could have moved four points behind the Reds who had their Saturday game against Everton postponed due to Storm Darragh.
For a while, it looked as though Chelsea would be dropping points too against Spurs until their stunning second half fightback. During the summer Chelsea looked a mess, with players jettisoned from the first team squad and a number of new faces coming into an already packed dressing room.
What Enzo Maresca has done in under half a year at Stamford Bridge has been nothing short of spectacular. The Blues right now look to be title contenders. Yes, if Liverpool win their game in hand, then Arne Slot’s side will move seven points clear of Chelsea. But Chelsea gave Liverpool a tough game at Anfield earlier this season and on their day are capable of beating anyone.
Enzo Maresca deserves all the plaudits
(Image: Getty)
They may have gone 2-0 down to Spurs, but Chelsea still looked excellent going forward against Ange Postecoglou’s side. Spurs‘ two goals were both excellent finishes from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski- albeit aided by two slips from Marc Cucurella to gift Tottenham the ball.
Despite being two goals down, Chelsea did not rollover. In fact, they just continued to attack. They managed to grab a goal back through Jadon Sancho, who scored a wonderful strike to make it 2-1.
Then in the second half, they equalised through a Cole Palmer penalty when Yves Bissouma’s reckless challenge saw him bring down Moises Caicedo inside the area. Enzo Fernandez’s goal, Chelsea’s third, was excellent, and Cole Palmer’s second penalty – a Paneka, was magnificent.
For all the talk of chaos around Stamford Bridge this past summer, Enzo Maresca has done an unbelievable job creating a coherent side out of a messy squad, with Chelsea now Champions League contenders – as well as possibly Premier League title contenders.
Capitalised on Spurs’ Spursy-ness
(Image: PA)
You just knew that when Spurs’ went 2-0 up after 11 minutes there would be more goals in this game. Thankfully for neutral football fans and unfortunately for Spurs supporters, there was. And if you’d told a Spurs fan at the beginning of the game they would go 2-0 up, they would probably have told you they’d go on to lose the game.
There was a sense of unease when Jadon Sancho scored on 17 minutes, suggesting Chelsea would not go down quietly. Chelsea kept going and got their equaliser in the second half through Palmer’s penalty, leaving the home crowd stunned.
Then on 73 minutes, the Blues completed their stunning comeback through Enzo Fernandez, who netted a stunning half-volley which beat Fraser Forster to make it 3-2 to Enzo Maresca’s side. And in the 83rd minute, the game was ended by Palmer who netted his second spot kick with a stunning Paneka penalty
Signing Jadon Sancho was a masterstroke
(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking of Jadon Sancho, what a signing he has turned out to be for Chelsea. His time in the Premier League looked to be all but over after falling out with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
But Maresca has done an unbelievable job in turning around Sancho’s career. The winger looks full of confidence and scored an excellent goal to get Chelsea back into the game against Spurs.
With teams willing to pay millions for creative wide forwards, the fact that Chelsea will only have to pay £25million to sign Sancho permanently from Manchester United makes a mockery of the latter’s decision to simply give up on the England international.
Buy Marc Cucurella some new boots
(Image: Getty Images)
However, one negative during the Sunday afternoon action for Maresca will have been the fact the club may need to invest in some new boots for Marc Cucurella, who slipped over twice in the opening 11 minutes, gifting Spurs the ball for their two goals.
Christmas isn’t far away, so maybe everyone could chip in and buy the Spaniard some new boots?