Toothless Tottenham were booed off as Chelsea recorded a fifth straight win over their London rivals, with Joao Pedro’s first-half goal giving them a 1-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A sorry Spurs, who could have moved second with victory, recorded the lowest expected goals (0.05xG) by a Premier League team this season and their lowest on record since Opta started collecting Premier League xG data in 2012/13.
Tottenham's lack of creativity and spark once again proved a huge issue as the home fans showed their frustration throughout, as they watched their side fail to have a shot on target in the second half.
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Spurs made four changes from the midweek Carabao Cup defeat at Newcastle as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, defender Micky van de Ven and attackers Mohammed Kudus and Randal Kolo Mauni started.
Xavi Simons, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson and Antonin Kinsky dropped to the bench, which included Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, who both returned from injuries.
Chelsea made 10 changes from the Carabao Cup win at Wolves, with Malo Gusto the only player to keep his place as he started at right-back in a defence featuring Wesley Fofana.
Loud boos greeted the full-time whistle as Chelsea deepened Spurs' home woes, with Thomas Frank's side suffering a 12th loss in their last 19 league games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Chelsea, who move into the top four, will feel they should have won by a greater margin after Joao Pedro powered in a 34th-minute opener.
The Brazilian had the outstanding Moises Caicedo, whom Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher labelled a "monster in midfield", to thank for ending his 10-game goal drought for club and country as the Ecuadorian robbed Micky van de Ven of the ball to superbly tee up Pedro.
The goal came after Xavi Simons, brought on in the seventh minute as a concussion change for Lucas Bergvall, sold Van de Ven short. The £51m signing, who was linked with Chelsea in the summer, struggled to recover - and his evening got worse as he was substituted off in the 73rd minute.
A miserable Spurs were fortunate not to concede in stoppage time as Chelsea substitute Jamie Gittens and Pedro missed glorious chances.
Enzo Maresca's side, though, comfortably saw out the win for a fourth straight away victory in all competitions that puts them fourth in the Premier League and level on points with third-placed Spurs.
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