The Battle of the Bridge, Eden Hazard denies Spurs The Title, Dele Alli's Brace and Tuchel vs Conte – only a few moments that show that Chelsea vs Tottenham never fails.
It took only 50 seconds for this all -action London Derby to accelerate, with a long ball over the upper leading Micky van de Ven to hit the ball on Nicolas Jackson's shin before he rattled the post – Spurs' first of the game.
The second perhaps a few moments later came, with a Cole Palmer Cross that begged to Enzo Fernandez to tap it over the line, only for Udogie to put an end to what looked like Destiny.
With the first half that seemed to be simmering, the fire on both sides was re-created before half-time with a Cristian Romero-Duw on Levi Colwill who encourages a fighting book that has become a textbook for this fixture.
The second half, however, was where this game really came to life, with Enzo Fernandez going home to open the score after Cole Palmer had crossed it from the left.
Moments later, Chelsea thought they had a second, with a stunning Moises Caicedo volley nested in the bottom corner, only to be excluded by VAR.
That was not the only VAR-Controverse in this game, because Pape Matar Sarr took out of reach in a low strike before it was also allowed for an error in the structure.
Eventually the difference was made by the £ 200 million midfielders of Chelsea, who saw the show in the night and saw their side back to the fourth in the Premier League.
This is how Sunssport's Lloyd Canfield rated the players …
Robert Sanchez – 7
This season a lot has been made of the goalkeeper situation in Chelsea, where both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen cannot meet the standards that the supporters expect from home.
It was the first to be selected today, and although far from the greatness of Petr Cech, in honesty for him he set a good representation.
Question marks came up again when his blush was spared by VAR, after he was beaten out of reach by Pape Matar Sarr, but he made up for that with a crucial (even dramatically) saving in death to prevent traces from leveling.
Malo Gusto – 6
The inclusion of Malo Gusto in the starting XI is said to have surprised a few fans, especially given the electrical impact that Reece James had in international duty for England.
That said, he actually started the game very clearly with a huge block in his own box and a shot with the next fans in Ecstasy, only to realize that the ball had hit the side and had not gone inside.
Although he did enough at the back, he somewhat disappointed with his death, and the blues look more comfortable with Marc Cucurella who turns in midfield.
Trevoh Chalobah – 8
With Wesley Fofana who returned to the medical table, where he spent most of his time this season, the Re-Call of Trevoh Chalobah was needed again.
He has been a very capable deputy for Big Wes, with a strong physical element for his game, as well as a good passing range and power.
It was his long ball over the top that created destruction in the first 50 seconds of the game, which led Van de Ven to touch his own post.
Levi Colwill – 8
A rock personalized.
Levi was completely dominant tonight, with a performance that showed why he was so highly appreciated by Chelsea fans.
It was against colleague Cobham Academy product Dominic Solanke would not have been an easy task, but he remained brilliantly and was strong in the air and on the ground.
Marc Cucurella – 9
With Chelsea's player of the season announced this week, Marc Cucurella is a name this week on the lips of many after what his best career campaign has been.
He was again influential, this time more in the defensive phases, while it was his forward game that so far has yielded him so much praise this season.
Crucial tackles, winning the ball high on the field, and also an eye for a pass, it was again a good display of the Spaniard despite not stealing the headlines.
Moises Caicedo – 9
Enzo Maresca had a look of horror on his face when his Star -midfielder went in a real inconvenience with his hamstring after a challenge on Djed Spence in the beginning.
And rightly so, because his interest for Chelsea cannot be underestimated this season, with the Ecuadorian sensation again.
Many would have taken the easy way out after picking up a knock, but no Moises, he fought to the end, and occasionally bumped into challenges full of heart when his team needed him the most.
If his beautiful half volley in the bottom corner was excluded by VAR, he would have had a perfect 10.
Enzo Fernandez – 9
Enzo Fernandez does not shy away from a great opportunity, and he came up with boy when it mattered for Chelsea tonight.
He might have had to open the score in the first half when Cole Palmer was the ball over the box in the context, but he was unable to get that vital touch to distract it in the net.
The Argentinian, which shone during the break in the break for his national team against Brazil, was present to make up for it when he nods a wonderful Palmer delivery at the back of the net to bring the score to 1-0 just after the break.
His passion and love in this side is unparalleled, making him a favorite of fans here – and the home fans will feel that their £ 200 million midfield was worth every cent of tonight.
Pedro Neto – 6
Nicolas Jackson's return saw Neto again tonight in his favorite position on the right wing, instead of playing as a striker.
None of the Chelsea wing players was enormously impactful, but the Portuguese star was probably the better of the two in the night, shown because he was switched to the left when Noni Madueke returned.
In general, the more of what we have seen from Neto so far was this campaign, a lot of hard work and some flashes of good technical skills – but not the type of end product that Chelsea currently needs.
Cole Palmer – 8
His performance in the way of this luminaire was the embodiment of Cole Palmer on his ice cold best, if you think back to his Panca penalty and man of the competition display in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But since then things have changed for Cole, with its bad form not to be denied since the change of the year.
After fighting due to injuries and illness, many saw this as an opportunity for Palmer to burst back to life and to get his season back on track, that is exactly what he did.
A smooth second half Cross landed on the head of Enzo Fernandez who ended with Aplomb, giving him his first direct goal contribution in nine games.
Tonight he was a difference maker and hopefully can start the rest of the season.
Jadon Sancho – 4
Cripple around Stamford Bridge when Jadon Sancho was on the ball for much of the first half, frustrated with fans about his lack of desire to just insist on the goal as he did in the bone to score.
It just happened that one of the best chances of the blues of the first half fell on his right -hand boot, and when he finally had an attempt, it was excellently refused by Vicario in the Spurs just.
Jadon was replaced by the recurring Noni Madueke halfway through the second half to loud applause.
He will offer more in terms of casual creation and target threat to convince the blues to keep him the summer window.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Nicolas Jackson is back in this game, was a huge boost for Chelsea and a cause for excitement for home support, especially considering his excellent record in London derby's.
A physical presence in the box is something that the blues have missed so much while playing Christopher Nunku or Pedro Neto in front in his absence.
That power and desire almost paid dividends after just 50 seconds when Van de Ven hit the ball of his tibia and on the pole.
Unfortunately that was for Nico today, he could not get his comeback goal.
Subs:
Noni Madueke (Jadon Sancho, 67) – 6
Chelsea fans were delighted to finally see Noni back from an injury, and he will undoubtedly be a welcome boost for the team when we close at the end of the season.
He might have been more impactful if he had been selected by Maresca, where the winger had to do a lot of defensive work while Chelsea wanted to keep their 1-0 lead.
His desire and working speed was greatly appreciated by the crowd.
Reece James (Nicolas Jackson, 82) – 6
A leader in this side, Reece was bought at the right time to help his match to view the game.
He didn't have much opportunity to move forward at all, but asked him.
Kiernan Dewsbury -hall (Enzo Fernandez, 90+1) – 5
Had 10 minutes to look the game and help his side to defend the leadership, with his energy that helps to exercise traces to move quickly.
Tosin Adarabioyo (Cole Palmer, 90+1) – 5
The 'uncle' of the team was bought at death to help his team to victory what he did.
Offers calm and strength at the back for the blues and this campaign has been a valuable asset on its side.
Comments