By Harry Bamforth
Published: | Updated:
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Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
Ange Postecoglou must have given his Spurs side one hell of a talking-to at half-time.
In just the first few minutes they already look like a different team, they want to fight for the shirt now.
Much better from them.
SECOND HALF: Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
Surprisingly, Spurs have not made any changes…
I thought we would have seen a few substitutes, but Ange Postecoglou sticks to his guns.
Anyway, we are back underway at Stamford Bridge.
‘Ange throwing tantrums’
Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at Stamford Bridge:
Unlike other stadiums, one of the positives of Stamford Bridge is the proximity of the press box to the technical area. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ange Postecoglou as angry as this. He was throwing tantrums all through that first half. Rightly so, too, because they have been abysmal.
Karen Carney: ‘I’ve never seen Ange so angry’
Karen Carney, former Chelsea midfielder, speaking on Sky Sports:
Angry Ange! Honestly, I’ve never seen him so angry and animated. They kept getting into midfield and giving it away and really it’s about Jonson and Son, they missed the ball and they lose possession and give away this free-kick that leads to the goal.
GOAL!!! Aston Villa 0-2 Olympiacos (El Kaabi)
It goes from bad to worse for Aston Villa…
It’s Ayoub El Kaabi at the double, he gets in behind the Villa backline again and slots it under Robin Olsen.
Olympiacos are in dreamland while Villa have a lot of work to do.
Gaalgaher the provider
Conor Gallagher is having some season for Chelsea.
The Blues skipper had a banner in his honour displayed before the match, and he rewarded his side with a brilliant assist.
I did not expect to see him provide more assists than some of the names on this list.
WATCH: Chalobah heads Chelsea in front!
I could watch this header on repeat.
The way it loops over Guglielmo Vicario is just so satisfying, the way he manages to stretch his neck muscles to head the ball was brilliant.
Chelsea fans, if you haven’t seen it, now is your chance. You will certainly enjoy it.
Just look how much it meant to Trevoh Chalobah too.
HALF-TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
There goes the whistle!
That was a topsy-turvy half of football, and it’s Chelsea who deservedly lead at the break.
The hosts have dominated the large majority of the match and Trevoh Chalobah gave them what they deserved after 24 minutes with a fabulous header.
However, despite being atrocious for 35 minutes or so, Tottenham did come to life a little as the half came to a close.
It’s certainly food for thought for the Blues.
GOAL!!! Aston Villa 0-1 Olympiacos (El Kaabi 17′)
This wasn’t in the script…
Ayoub El Kaabi is sent through and smashes the ball past Robin Olsen with aplomb, but his celebrations are cut short when the offside goes up.
However, VAR checks the goal for some time and it’s given. He was in fact onside.
Disastrous for Aston Villa!
HUGE BLOCK! Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
Oh, that is a brilliant block by Trevoh Chalobah!
The defender puts his body on the line to prevent Pape Sarr from bringing Spurs level.
He celebrates like he has just scored the Champions League final winner…
FOUR added minutes
There are groans from the crowd as the fourth official shares that there will be four minutes of stoppage time.
That tells you all you need to know, Tottenham are finally getting some momentum.
Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
Tottenham have finally livened up.
Since the Cristian Romero miss, the away side have looked miles more confident and you can feel the nerves inside Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have thrown away many leads this season…
DISALLOWED GOAL! Aston Villa 0-0 Olympiacos
Leon Bailey sends Villa Park into a frenzy, but the joy is short-lived…
The Jamaican forward heads home at the far post, but the goal has been ruled out due to a shirt pull from Clement Llenglet.
Villa Park can’t believe it, but it stays all square.
SO CLOSE! Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
Oh, Cristian Romero, how have you not scored?
Romero had so many opportunities in the North London Derby and he has just had a massive one here.
A free-kick is sent over to the back post, it lands straight on his head less than six yards out, but he somehow misses the target.
I’m not sure how he hasn’t scored there…
Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
Ange Postecoglou is going absolutely bonkers on the touchline.
The Australian is not a happy bunny, I don’t think he will be calling any of his players ‘mate’ at half-time.
It’s completely warranted, Tottenham have been dreadful so far.
CLOSE! Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
Chelsea are really enjoying themselves right now!
Cole Palmer is dominating the Spurs defence and he plays in Mykhailo Mudryk on the left. Mudryk cuts inside and fires narrowly wide of the post.
It was honestly so close, I was expecting it to hit the back of the net.
KICK-OFF: Aston Villa 0-0 Olympiacos
Right then, we are underway at Villa Park!
The stadium is alive and kicking, they know how much this match means.
Can Aston Villa get the job done in the first leg?
Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at Stamford Bridge:
Personally, I’m glad that goal stood. It would have been a farce if VAR disallowed it because Marc Cucurella was blocking Brennan Johnson before Trevoh Chalobah headed home. Those incidents happen 10 times a game!
Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
Stamford Bridge was moaning and groaning through that VAR process but at the end of it, there was a deafening roar.
The chants are in full flow now as Marc Cucurella’s supposed block was not deemed a foul.
Chelsea are in full flow too, Mykhailo Mudryk bursts past Pedro Porro again, but his cross is collected by Guglielmo Vicario.
Spurs are all over the place!
GOAL!!! Chelsea 1-0 Spurs (Chalobah 24′)
That is a stunning header!
It has been coming, and now Chelsea lead through Trevoh Chalobah and my word, it’s some header.
Spurs once again struggle from a set-piece, and Conor Gallagher’s free-kick lands straight onto Chalobah’s noggin and he loops his header over Vicario.
After a stupidly long VAR check, the goal is given.
CHANCE! Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Noni Madueke has taken some confidence from the Aston Villa match, he is looking very lively on the left-hand side.
He jinks his way in from the left and releases a smashing shot, but it flies just over the bar.
Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Perfect timing Kieran!
Mykhailo Mudryk has Pedro Porro on toats and he nearly squeezes his way through the whole defence but he can’t get a shot off.
This is the best I have seen him play in a long time!
Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at Stamford Bridge:
Mykhailo Mudryk can be a slippery so-and-so down the left wing. He’s already had the beating of Pedro Porro more than once here. When he’s playing confidently like this, he’s a joy to watch.
Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Moises Caicedo is in some pain and you can see why.
Dejan Kulusevski accidentally leaves his studs on his Achilles, which will be extremely sore. I squirmed just watching it.
While he is getting treated, the Chelsea crowd chant Thiago Silva’s name which results in a wave from the Brazilian.
This comes after he announced this week that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Alfie Gilchrist sees his name in lights, this is his moment… and he blazes the ball over.
It was a tough chance to be fair to the youngster. Marc Cucurella pulls a low cross and it evades everyone and seems to take an age to get to Gilchrist.
It does eventually, and you know the rest.
Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Guglielmo Vicario is always so nervous when a corner comes in.
Chelsea swing a corner in and Vicario shakily punches the ball clear and collides with Richarlison in the process.
Chelsea will know he struggles from set pieces, he has done all season, not just in the North London Derby.
Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Emerson Royal is screaming for a penalty.
The Spurs full-back is in a battle with Noni Madueke in the Chelsea area and he goes down quite theatrically.
The penalty is not given and I think it’s mainly because of how weirdly Emerson went down, in truth.
Chelsea will be relieved nothing is given…
Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Tottenham have their first attack and it falls flat on its face.
Chelsea give Brennan Johnson so much room that you expect him to drive at them, but he floats in a cross that goes out of play.
I’ve seen better attacks from the Welshman…
OFF THE LINE! Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Mickey Van de Ven has just saved Guglielmo Vicario’s bacon!
Mykhailo Mudryk sends Nicolas Jackson through and Vicario loses is balance as he comes close to Jackson down.
Jackson rolls the ball under him and it’s destined for the net, but Van de Ven races back to clear it as it’s about to cross the line.
It only went as far as Cole Palmer, but he couldn’t convert.
Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Tottenham are enjoying the lion’s share of possession in the early moments of this game, but they are coming under a lot of pressure.
Chelsea look really hungry tonight, and their press has just forced Vicario and Emerson to muck up. Nothing comes from it though.
Stamford Bridge is still very loud…
KICK-OFF: Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
It is so loud at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea fans are certainly ready for this derby.
Mauricio Pochettino and Ange Postecoglou embrace and we are ready to get this show on the road.
Chelsea get the ball rolling to an almighty roar!
Here come the teams!
Stamford Bridge is very vibrant tonight.
This rivalry brings drama, which in turn brings an incredible atmosphere. It seems the Chelsea fans are bringing it tonight.
As the teams come out, the Blues fans have changed the words of their usual tune ‘The Liquidator’ to let the Tottenham side know how they feel about them.
This is going to be intense.
Ange Postecoglou: Maddison can still have impact
Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham boss, speaking to Sky Sports:
Yeah, look I think he’s (James Maddison) like a lot of lads throughout the season, but irrespective of that it’s about freshening up the team tonight and we’ve got some guys who didn’t play at the weekend, Pap Sarr and Bissouma who will help us in the midfield. Madders doesn’t start – that doesn’t mean he can’t have an impact in the game.
Inexperience on the Blues bench
Wow, this statistic from Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill is incredible.
Chelsea have been ravaged by injury problems this season, they currently have 14 players out.
While their starting 11 is still rather strong, their bench is well, less so…
‘Maddison dropped for the first time’
Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, at Stamford Bridge:
Emerson Royal in at left-back and Maddison dropped for the first time are the talking points from team selection.
Also, Mikey Moore, a very exciting teenage talent on the bench for the first time. Still only 16.
Atmosphere building at the Bridge
I have just found myself bobbing along to the music at Stamford Bridge.
Whoever is in control of the playlist inside the ground has struck the right tone, it is groovy, and hopefully, the football follows suit.
Both sides are now out making their final preparations, we have just 20 minutes until the ball is rolling.
I’m not going to go back to enjoying the music…
No Torres ‘is a surprise’
Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport, at Villa Park:
No Pau Torres in the starting XI for Aston Villa which, unless he’s carrying a knock, is a surprise – he’s been one of their key players this season. The rest of the team is as we expected, with Diaby expected to partner Watkins in attack and Bailey and Rogers wide.
Aston Villa Team News – THREE changes
Here is Aston Villa’s starting 11 for arguably their biggest match in 42 years…
Unai Emery has made three changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Chelsea on Saturday night.
Robin Olsen deputies in goal for the injured Emi Martinez while Clement Llenglet and Moussa Diaby also come in.
Jackson’s Derby Day hat-trick
The last time Chelse faced Spurs, Nicolas Jackson announced himself to the Premier League.
I think it’s fair to say that Jackson has not had the smoothest of rides so far in the division, far from it.
However, one performance he can look back fondly on was we he bagged three goals away at Tottenham in a 4-1 win.
It may not have been the most dazzling hat-trick of all time, but all that matters id putting the ball in the back of the net.
Chelsea could do with him doing it again tonight.
Ange Postecoglou: Pochettino ‘was a success’ at Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham boss, speaking on Wednesday:
I think anyone who doesn’t think that Mauricio’s five and a half years here were successful, doesn’t really appreciate football for what it is because, you know, to get to the Champions League final, to, you know, come runners-up in the toughest league in the world.
There’s no silverware but in my mind, particularly the way he developed that group, I think he was a success. This is the business we’re in and we get measured by – most of us get measured by other things so we’ve got to accept that.
On the other side of the battle
Mauricio Pochettino certainly knows this rivalry well, just from the other side.
The Argentine gave Spurs fans some of their best memories in recent history and he was adored during his time at the club.
Pochettino had Tottenham challenging for titles again, led them to a Champions League final, and was the catalyst for Harry Kane’s success.
So, when it was announced last summer that he would be taking the reigns at rivals Chelsea, it’s fair to say Spurs fans were not the happiest.
As you have just read, Pochettino still holds strong feelings towards Tottenham, but tonight he will need to let them go.
It’s going to be another battle at the Bridge, but this time he is in the blue corner.
‘Big game for Alfie Gilchrist’
Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at Stamford Bridge:
Big game for Alfie Gilchrist at right back, along with Benoit Badiashile alongside Trevoh Chalobah. Badiashile grew into the game at Aston Villa – he had a great second half – and he’ll need to show some dominance here.
Before kick-off, there should be a big display for Conor Gallagher, as Chelsea fans look to send a message to the hierarchy ahead of an intriguing summer in which he could be sold… possibly to Tottenham.
There’s no place like home for Palmer
I bet Cole Palmer is happy to be back at Stamford Bridge.
The attacking midfielder has been on fire recently for the Blues, especially at home, he has netted in each of his previous seven league appearances at the Bridge.
Not to mention, he is also the leading Premier League goalscorer in 2024, netting 12 goals since the turn of the year, with all of them coming at home.
Will he add to his tally tonight?
Mauricio Pochettino: ‘It is going to be emotional’
Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea boss, speaking on Wednesday:
It is always emotional (facing Tottenham) because we are going to meet people we worked with for a long period. Yes, I cannot hide my emotion for the club and I think it is going to be emotional.
Tottenham Team News – Maddison DROPPED
Wow, I wasn’t expecting to see James Maddison on the bench.
Ange Postecoglou has not held his punches, he makes five changes from the team that lost the North London Derby.
Emerson Royal, Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, Brennan Johnson, and Richarlison all come in.
The big news is that Maddison has been dropped…
Chelsea Team News – ONE change
Just the one change for Chelsea then.
It’s not one they wanted to make, but they have had to, as Thiago Silva is ruled out with injury.
Young Adam Gilchrist returns to the starting 11 to make his first home Premier League start.
Lots of love between Poch and Ange
How often do you see rival managers with this kind of relationship?
I’m sure all friendliness will be kicked out the door very soon when the teams make their way onto the pitch.
Pochettino didn’t look like he wanted to let him go!
Teams arrive at the Bridge
Oh, the anticipation is killing me!
Both teams have now arrived at Stamford Bridge ahead of tonight’s monster clash – my excitement just went up a level.
This is going to be a cracking match, when they meet it always is, and the players are ready to do battle.
Which players will be starting? We will find out very soon.
Eight years ago today: Battle of the Bridge
Yes, you read that right, EIGHT years…
On 2 May 2016, the Battle of the Bridge was born. It’s a Premier League classic, a match that is always looked back on when these two meet.
I remember exactly where I watched this match. I was preparing for my GCSE exams and decided to take a break from studying to watch it with my friends. Boy, was that a good choice.
The match had everything, from terrible tackles that led to fights, 12 bookings, four goals, and a last-minute equaliser from Eden Hazard that left Spurs’ title hopes in tatters.
It was a spectacle that will be remembered as the day that Chelsea helped Leicester City secure a magical Premier League title, while also stepping the rivalry between the two clubs up a notch.
If we get drama even close to what we saw that fateful night, you better strap yourselves in.
By the way, I’m sorry if I made any of you feel old with this post…
Never a dull moment…
When these two meet there are always fireworks.
There has only been one stalemate in the last 22 meetings between these two sides in all competitions. It almost always guarantees goals.
Do you want to know what else it brings to the table? Handbags.
This match seems to have a knack for getting feisty. There was the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ and then also last season’s handshake drama between Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte.
The passion always bleeds through in this one and it comes in different ways season upon season.
I wonder what they have in store for us this evening.
Spurs craving rare win at Blues
Stamford Bridge is very rarely a happy hunting ground for Tottenham.
Spurs have only a single win in their last 38 matches away at Chelsea, which came back in 2018 when the now-Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino, was in charge.
Having spoken to various Tottenham fans, it’s clear that they don’t go into this fixture with much hope, they have been let down too many times.
However, I may say this a lot, but statistics are there to be broken. Just look at Everton last week, they won their first Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park in 14 years when nobody gave them a chance.
If there was ever a good season to come up trumps away at Chelsea, this is one of them. The Blues are a far cry from their super teams of the past.
Will tonight be one for the history books?
Villa’s big night in Europe
Chelsea and Tottenham are not the only Premier League side in action tonight.
Aston Villa have waited 42 years for a big night in Europe such as tonight, and it’s finally here. They face Olympiacos this evening at Villa Park for the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final.
The Villans are now surely favourites to bring home the trophy, but it will be no easy task. All I do know is that Villa Park will be rocking tonight.
We will be sure to bring you all the big updates from the match in the West Midlands, I have a feeling there will be a lot of goals to let you all know about.
The stakes are high
Tonight could be a defining night in both Chelsea and Tottenham’s seasons.
We have now entered the final month of the Premier League campaign and both sides are still in the hunt for Europe.
Tottenham currently sit in fourth place, seven points behind Aston Villa, but with two games in hand – the first of which they play tonight.
Last night it was confirmed that Germany have secured second place in UEFA’s coefficient table for this season, only the top four places in the Premier League will qualify for Champions League football next season.
Tottenham can’t afford to lose tonight if they want to be in European club football’s premier competition, next year.
Meanwhile, Chelsea still have faint hopes of qualifying for the Europa Conference League next season and a win tonight would certainly keep them in the hunt.
If they earn three points tonight they will move up to eighth position, just two points behind Newcastle in the final European spot with four games to lose.
There is a lot that both teams can lose tonight, it’s going to be tasty.
Battle in the Capital
I think it’s time for another derby!
It feels like we have been having them every other day lately, especially in London, but there are not many in the capital bigger than Chelsea vs Tottenham.
After the North London Derby, this has to be the second biggest London derby, Chelsea and Spurs don’t like each other. The rivalry has really heated up in the last few years – a certain match comes to mind…
If I can guarantee anything about tonight, the match will certainly not be bland. Their rivalry mixed with the lack of defensive structure in both sides, means we are set up for a belting game.
Don’t forget, Chelsea and Tottenham are still gunning for a place in European competition next year. There is no room for slip-ups.
I can’t wait for this one to get going, so let’s get cracking.
Key Updates
SECOND HALF: Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
GOAL!!! Aston Villa 0-2 Olympiacos (El Kaabi)
HALF-TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Spurs
GOAL!!! Aston Villa 0-1 Olympiacos (El Kaabi 17′)
DISALLOWED GOAL! Aston Villa 0-0 Olympiacos
KICK-OFF: Aston Villa 0-0 Olympiacos
GOAL!!! Chelsea 1-0 Spurs (Chalobah 24′)
KICK-OFF: Chelsea 0-0 Spurs
Aston Villa Team News – THREE changes
Tottenham Team News – Maddison DROPPED
Chelsea Team News – ONE change