Tottenham climb to 12th after 2-0 win at Chelsea as De Zerbi's rebuild shows signs of progress
Spurs beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to reach their highest league position since 2 January, with James Maddison and Mathys Tel starring despite another injury concern for Maddison.
Tottenham ended Saturday's Premier League action in 12th place, their highest position since 2 January, after a 2-0 win at Chelsea. It was only the second time in 42 attempts that Spurs have won two league games in a row, and the first time they have enjoyed as much as 68% possession in a match since April 2025. They are now unbeaten in three games, following a 1-1 draw at Manchester United with back-to-back victories.
Chelsea contributed to their own downfall: goalkeeper Mike Penders punched the opener into his own net and Cole Palmer was sent off for two yellow cards. James Maddison and Mathys Tel were singled out for strong performances, with Tel sealing the win with a low finish after a driving run. Maddison, however, was withdrawn in the second half with a suspected groin injury, and Roberto de Zerbi said he hoped it was not a big problem, calling the midfielder a special player Spurs need.
De Zerbi, appointed at the end of March 2026 with the club in crisis and just one point clear of the drop zone, oversaw more than £300m of summer signings. He credited a team meeting after the Manchester United game, where the group spoke honestly, as a turning point. Summer arrivals Jan Paul van Hecke, Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali all impressed against Chelsea, and De Zerbi said the win came through wingers Mohammed Kudus and Tel.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, described it as a dream afternoon for Tottenham, saying they looked controlled and at ease on the ball and that such results galvanise a side. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told BBC Sport that Spurs made a big statement in a convincing performance, praising Maddison as magnificent and Tel as magnificent on the left. These are pundits' assessments rather than verified conclusions.
Tel, who has drawn criticism from his own supporters since arriving from Bayern Munich for £30m in June 2025, told Sky Sports the win was very special given Spurs' past failures at Chelsea. Summer signing Fernandes said the side want to beat the top teams and change the club's mentality. Supporters will take encouragement from the result and the returning players, though attacking concerns persist: Spurs have scored just eight goals in as many games, with Omar Marmoush misfiring and Richarlison frozen out in the reserves.
