Tottenham climb to 12th after rare win at Chelsea
Tottenham won 2-0 at Chelsea on Saturday to move up to 12th in the Premier League, their highest position since 2 January. James Maddison and Mathys Tel starred as a Mike Penders own goal and Cole Palmer's red card helped Spurs to a second straight league win.
- Competition: Premier League
- Result: Chelsea 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
- Goals: Mike Penders own goal, Mathys Tel
- Red card: Cole Palmer (Chelsea) for two yellow cards
- League position: Tottenham up to 12th, highest since 2 January
- Possession: Tottenham enjoyed 68% possession, their highest since April 2025
Confirmed line-ups
The source article does not provide full starting line-ups or substitutes for either team. The following players are mentioned as featuring or being involved:
Chelsea
Players mentioned: Mike Penders (goalkeeper, scored own goal); Cole Palmer (sent off for two yellow cards).
Tottenham Hotspur
Players mentioned: James Maddison (withdrawn in second half with suspected groin injury); Mathys Tel (scored decisive goal); Mohammed Kudus; Archie Gray; Jan Paul van Hecke; Matheus Fernandes; Sandro Tonali; Omar Marmoush; Dominic Solanke; Dejan Kulusevski.
What was said
"I think we have put something different into Tottenham in the last period. Not a different attitude, but different relationships with the players, different relationships within the group."
"We have changed the spirit of the group and improved the performances of the players, especially some of the more fragile players, maybe the younger players. Mathys Tel was one of the best players on the pitch. Archie Gray is younger but he is already mature because he has the right mentality. I'm very, very happy."
"A dream afternoon for Tottenham. They looked controlled, looked at ease, they looked like they were comfortable on the ball. Results like this galvanise a side. When you look at the players coming back, yes Maddison got injured and he'll be a question mark over the next few weeks, but players coming back, momentum coming back - you feel, and say it quietly, Tottenham might just be coming back."
"Tottenham have made a big statement in a really convincing performance. I thought Maddison was magnificent in midfield. He's like the Artful Dodger, isn't he? That midfield is full of mischief, but he's brave against the ball. I thought Tel was magnificent out on the left-hand side, [Mohammed] Kudus on the right was also really effective, and everybody really managed to handle the ball really well on the night. Spurs had almost 70% possession, which is remarkable for a team which was just a few places from the bottom of the table. I think what's changed for Spurs is the key personnel."
"It is very special because we have come to Chelsea so many times and not got a win. We showed great mentality today and we need to enjoy this win. We created a lot of chances today. We walk out together, the goal is something special for me, I'm happy about it and let's keep pushing now."
"We are here to change the club's mentality, we want to beat the top teams, and make this victory for the fans."
"Jan Paul van Hecke played very well, Matheus Fernandes played very well, Sandro Tonali played very well. I think it was Tonali's best game since joining Tottenham. Omar Marmoush played a good game. It was a tough game for him, but he fought in the right way. Mathys Tel played very well too. I think we won the game with our two wingers, Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel. They made the difference."
"I don't think it is a very important problem. I hope it is not a big problem. He is a special player for us. We need him."
"After the Manchester United game, we had a big meeting. We removed the masks and spoke honestly and clearly in front of ourselves. From that moment, I think something started to change within us."
De Zerbi's comments reveal a manager who believes the psychological shift is as important as the tactical one. The reference to "fragile players" and "younger players" suggests he has focused on rebuilding confidence in a squad that had lost its way.
Keown's praise for Maddison and Tel highlights how Spurs' wide players were the difference. The former Arsenal defender's observation about possession is telling — Tottenham controlled the game in a way they rarely have in recent seasons.
The numbers
- 68% — Tottenham's possession at Chelsea, their highest since April 2025.
- 2 — League wins in a row for Spurs, only the second time in 42 attempts.
- 8 — Goals scored by Tottenham in eight league games this season.
- £300m+ — Tottenham's summer spending on signings.
- £30m — Fee Tottenham paid Bayern Munich for Mathys Tel in June 2025.
- 12th — Tottenham's league position after the win, their highest since 2 January.
- 1986 — The last time Spurs kept a clean sheet at Chelsea before Saturday.
Deal details
Tottenham broke their transfer record twice in the summer, signing three players among their first acquisitions: centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, midfielder Matheus Fernandes from West Ham, and midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. All three impressed against Chelsea.
Mathys Tel arrived from Bayern Munich for £30m in June 2025 and scored the decisive goal at Stamford Bridge.
Injury and availability
- James Maddison: Withdrawn in the second half with a suspected groin injury. De Zerbi said: "I don't think it is a very important problem. I hope it is not a big problem."
- Mohammed Kudus: Returning from a lengthy absence and featured against Chelsea.
- Dejan Kulusevski: Also making a comeback from a lengthy absence.
- Richarlison: Frozen out in the reserves after being left out of Tottenham's Premier League squad.
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea): Sent off for two yellow cards, will be suspended.
Why De Zerbi's Tottenham are finally moving forward
Roberto de Zerbi inherited a Tottenham side in crisis at the end of March 2026, with the club just one point clear of the drop zone and seven games remaining. After securing safety, the club backed him with over £300m on summer signings for the first time in their history.
The Italian has spoken of players who cried after matches and lost all confidence. His response has been to rebuild relationships and trust, and the results are starting to show. Back-to-back league wins for only the second time in 42 attempts is a modest milestone, but the manner of victory at Chelsea — with 68% possession and a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1986 — suggests real progress.
James Maddison and Mathys Tel were the standout performers. Maddison, making his return from a serious knee injury that kept him out for almost all of last season, was described by Keown as "magnificent" and "brave against the ball". Tel, criticised by some of his own supporters since his £30m move from Bayern Munich, delivered the decisive moment with a stunning low finish after a driving run.
The win was also built on a midfield that included summer arrivals Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, both of whom De Zerbi singled out for praise. Tonali, in particular, produced what his manager called his best game since joining. With Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski returning from long-term absences, De Zerbi suddenly has options.
Tottenham remain unconvincing in attack with just eight goals in as many games. Omar Marmoush misfired again, Dominic Solanke was underwhelming in previous matches, and Richarlison has been frozen out. But the defensive solidity and control shown at Chelsea offer a platform.
Talking points
- Is 12th really a sign of progress, or just a brief upturn in a season that could still go either way?
- Maddison's injury is a major concern — can Spurs cope without their creative hub if he faces a spell on the sidelines?
- Tel's goal might silence his critics, but one good performance does not justify his £30m fee yet.
- De Zerbi's team meeting after the Manchester United draw seems to have been a turning point — but will it last?
What happens next
Tottenham's next fixture is not specified in the source. However, they will be sweating on Maddison's fitness and hoping to build on back-to-back wins. Chelsea, meanwhile, must cope without the suspended Cole Palmer. The result leaves Spurs unbeaten in three games and with momentum ahead of their next league outing.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score between Chelsea and Tottenham?
Chelsea 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur, with a Mike Penders own goal and a Mathys Tel strike sealing the win.
Did Cole Palmer get a red card against Tottenham?
Yes, Cole Palmer was sent off for two yellow cards.
Where are Tottenham in the Premier League table now?
Tottenham moved up to 12th, their highest league position since 2 January.
Related Articles
Filed under: Match Reports | LA Premier League Home
