Premier, Chelsea beat Conte: Tottenham defeated

The London derby is owned by Tuchel. Chelsea beat Conte’s Tottenham (returning to Stamford Bridge as an ex) and consolidated in the fight for a place in the Champions League. In the second half, Ziyech’s “golazo” and Silva’s header were decisive, while Lukaku was still dry and in the first half the referee canceled a goal from Kane. Match dominated by the Blues: 66% of ball possession, 7 shots on goal to 3, 586 passes against 319. Tottenham thus lost in the league against Chelsea, after being beaten also in the semifinals of the Carabao Cup. The Blues return to victory in Premier (the first of 2022) and are third (47 points), Spurs seventh at -11.

THE CHOICES

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Tuchel relies on Lukaku (who hasn’t scored in the Premier League since 29 December). Conte focuses on Bergwijn (who had decided the trip to Leicester with a brace), sending Moura to the bench. And he doesn’t summon Alli, fueling rumors about a possible departure of the Englishman. 4-1-4-1 for Chelsea: Kepa in goal, defense with Azpicuelta, Rudiger, Silva and Sarr, Jorginho in the middle, while Ziyech, Mount, Kovacic and Hudson-Odoi joust behind Lukaku. On the bench the various Werner, Pulisic and Kanté. Conte responds with a 4-4-2: Lloris between the posts, protected by Tanganga, Dier, Sanchez and Davies, midfield with Doherty, Winks, Hojbjerg and Sessegon, an attacking couple formed by Bergwijn and Kane.

Chelsea have a passion for the game right from the start (72% of possession in the first half), but in the first half it does not create particular dangers for Lloris. The chances, at the start, of Lukaku (1 ‘) and Hudson-Odoi (4’) finish on the bottom. The Spurs respond with Winks (14 ‘): the defense of the Blues holds up. At 20 ‘Doherty intervenes hard on Sarr and risks a red card. At 40 ‘Kane unlocks the balance, but the referee Tierney sees a foul on Silva and cancels the goal. Lukaku tries the shot in the 44th minute: Dier opposes his attempt. The second half opens with the immediate advantage of Chelsea: Ziyech scores it with a great goal, removing the cobwebs from the intersection of the posts (48 ‘). At 49 ‘the Moroccan of the Blues is still dangerous: Lloris saves his shot from distance. The Blues double down in the 55th minute: a cross from Mount, a header from Silva and the ball in the net. The Spurs respond with Bergwijn, but Kepa is there (59 ‘). The Blues retain full control of the match. And they risk only in the final: Kane’s gored, Kepa’s parade (86 ‘).

THE SITUATION

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Chelsea thus achieves their first league victory of 2022 (after four dry rounds, which cost Tuchel’s team the gap from the top, now 10 points away). By beating the Spurs, the Blues climb to 47, third in the standings (with one more match) to -1 from Liverpool, second, -10 from leaders City and +9 from Manchester United, fourth. Tottenham miss the opportunity to overtake Arsenal, West Ham and Red Devils. And he remains seventh at 36 points. Conte’s team has three games to recover: the race for the Champions League is still open.