“João Pedro Strikes as Chelsea Edge Past Spurs 1-0 in London Derby”
Chelsea secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tottenham in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with João Pedro’s composed finish in the first half proving decisive. In a game filled with intensity and midfield battles, Chelsea showed greater control and resilience, keeping Spurs at bay despite late pressure. The win continues Chelsea’s steady rise under Maresca, while Tottenham’s inconsistency in front of goal once again cost them crucial points in the London derby.
Timeline :
34′ – Goal: João Pedro finishes clinically after Caicedo’s interception and pass, putting Chelsea 1-0 ahead.
43′ – Chelsea Control: Enzo Fernández tests Vicario with a curling effort as the Blues dominate possession.
72′ – Tottenham Threat: Brennan Johnson flashes a low cross across goal, but no Spurs player connects.
90+4′ – Full-Time: Chelsea stand strong in stoppage time to secure a disciplined 1-0 win in the London derby.
Tactical tussles :
Chelsea executed a smart and disciplined tactical plan at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Maresca’s side controlled the midfield through overloads, with Malo Gusto often tucking inside to create a four-man structure that outnumbered Spurs centrally. This allowed Chelsea to dictate possession and press effectively, leading to the opening goal, Caicedo’s high interception, and João Pedro’s composed finish. After taking the lead, Chelsea shifted to a compact mid-block, closing spaces between the lines and forcing Tottenham into wide, predictable play. Despite the Spurs’ attempts to push forward, their lack of creativity and cohesion in the final third meant Chelsea comfortably managed the game and secured a professional 1-0 victory.
Xg map – Tottenham (blue) vs Chelsea ( purple)
Tottenham tried to impose a high-pressing approach early on, aiming to disrupt Chelsea’s buildup and win the ball high up the pitch. However, their midfield often got bypassed due to poor spacing and Chelsea’s numerical advantage in central areas. Spurs relied heavily on quick transitions and wide play through Johnson and Kudus, but lacked a clear focal point in attack. As the game wore on, their press lost intensity, and they struggled to create clear chances, leaving them frustrated and short of ideas against Chelsea’s well-organized defensive block.
X-Factors :
João Pedro: Delivered the decisive moment with a composed finish, proving to be Chelsea’s match-winner in a tense derby.
Moisés Caicedo: Controlled the midfield battle with energy and precision, winning the ball high to create the goal.
Mohammed Kudus: Spurs’ brightest outlet on the night, constantly driving forward and trying to break Chelsea’s defensive shape with his direct dribbling.
Robert Sánchez: Calm and composed in goal, dealt confidently with Tottenham’s late pressure to preserve Chelsea’s clean sheet.
Manager’s reaction:
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea): “We are very happy, especially because we needed the reaction after we dropped points. The effort from the players has been top, and yeah, it’s a good win, it’s a derby.”
Thomas Frank (Tottenham): “All the players are, of course, frustrated. They would like to do well, like to win, and like to perform well. I understand that.”
Stats and Numbers:
| Stat | Tottenham | Chelsea |
| Possession | 49% | 51% |
| Shots | 3 | 15 |
| Shots on Target | 1 | 9 |
| Corners | 6 | 5 |
What it means :
The win lifts Chelsea further up the Premier League table to 4th spot, boosting their push for a European spot after a mixed start to the season.
For Tottenham, the defeat continues their inconsistent run, leaving them struggling to keep pace with the top four and raising questions about their attacking efficiency.
Conclusion:
Chelsea’s narrow but composed win highlighted their growing tactical maturity under Maresca, while Tottenham’s lack of creativity remains a concern. Can Spurs rediscover their attacking edge, or will Chelsea’s newfound stability signal the start of a consistent climb up the Premier League table?
