PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER, 2025
(5.30pm)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0(0) CHELSEA 1(1)
Chelsea scorer:-
Joao Pedro, 34
Attendance:- 61,202
Referee:- Jarred Gillett
Assistants:- Tim Wood, Wade Smith
Fourth official:- Sam Barrott
VAR:- Craig Pawson
Assistant VAR: Adrian Holmes
Teams:-
Spurs (4-2-3-1):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro (sub 13. Udogie, 73), 4. Danso (sub 17. Romero, 60), 37. Van de Ven (Capt.), 24. Spence; 6. Palhinha, 30. Bentancur (sub 9. Richarlison, 60); 20. Kudus, 29. Sarr, 15. Bergvall (sub 7. Xavi) (sub 28. Odobert, 73); 39. Kolo Muani (sub 22. Johnson, 73)
(Romero took armband when replacing Danso)
Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky; 11. Tel, 44. Scarlett
(Xavi was a concussion sub for Bergvall, hence the use of 6 substitutes)
Booked:- Bentancur (foul on James), Danso (foul on Caicedo), Xavi (foul on Garnacho), Kudus (foul on Cucurella)
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):- 1. Sanchez; 27. Gusto (sub 45. Lavia, 76), 29. Fofana (sub 4. Adarabioyo, 89), 23. Chalobah, 3. Cucurella; 24. James (Capt.), 25. Caicedo; 7. Pedro Neto (sub 12. Estevao, 85), 8. Fernandez, 49. Garnacho (sub 11. Gittens, 66); 20. Joao Pedro
Subs not used:- 12. Jorgensen; 34. Acheampong; 17. Santos, 38. Guiu
Booked:- Chalobah (unsporting conduct after Bentancur foul on James), Fernandez (foul on Palhinha)
Did the dead ball coach have a night off?
Spurs v Chelsea, 01.11.25
Spurs fell to yet another sorry defeat against Chelsea (their 38th in 67 Premier League meetings), and yet another sorry home defeat (their third in five league games this season). Spurs have managed just three home league wins since November last year, and one so far this season. We've failed to score in two of our three home defeats this season.
These and other statistics tell a sad tale. Our XG rating of 0.05 was our lowest rating in the thirteen years since those figures were created. Those present didn't need a computer to tell them we hardly bothered the Chelsea goalkeeper. Kudus recorded our one shot on target in the first half.
I wondered if the dead ball coach had a night off as I swear that 90% of our corners or free kicks were floated straight to Sanchez's arms.
Of course, Spurs were not helped by an early concussion replacement of Bergvall, and with the number of injuries in the club, perhaps our players are getting tired. Chelsea have played the same number of games and yet they showed more energy and desire on and off the ball. Spurs could hardly string two passes together and were bereft of ides going forward.
I saw Pedro Porro dawdling across the field to take corners, and too often, we wasted our own time preparing for such situations including Kevin Danso's long throws.
A lot is being made of Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven ignoring Frank's urges for them to acknowledge the crowd at the end of the game, but the team was booed off the pitch (and during the game), so I expect they were embarrassed at the thought.
Somehow, Spurs are still above Chelsea (on goal difference) and until Liverpool won the 8 o'clock game, we were third in the table. Thank heavens for our away form.
Spurs did their best to rack up the atmosphere with urges by stadium presenter Paul Coyte and a lights and indoor firework show, coupled with Thomas Frank appearing on video with personal comments such as "It's enormous". Spurs failed to live up to the hype.
Spurs v Chelsea, 01.11.25
None of Romero, Udogie or Odobert made the starting line-up, although they did get on before the end of the game.
Cucurella had a shot blocked after a 12th minute corner and Kudus was fouled as he sought to run out of defence with the ball. Xavi and Spence combined on the left before the Spurs cross was cleared beyond the far post. Chelsea captain Reece James (playing in midfield) had a shot from distance go over the target. Vicario held a left-footed shot by Garnacho.
Gusto gave away a cheap corner and after a second corner by Kudus, Sanchez held Xavi's return cross. Spence (again one of our most positive forces) won another corner, but this was delayed as Vicario needed treatment. A Danso throw from near the right corner flag was delayed after a missile was seemingly thrown from the away section.
Vicario was called to action after Pedro Porro's poor clearance rebounded of Garnacho to the feet off Joao Pedro, whose shot was saved. Spurs forged an attack and following Muani's pass, Kudus hit a shot just wide.
Spurs then conceded the one goal of the game after making a mess of trying to play from the back. Van de Ven was one of those caught out as he let in Caicedo to tee up Joao Pedro for an easy finish. Vicario had to save again from Pedro after Gusto's cross from the right.
There were six minutes added at the end of the first half and that was extended, partly due to a melee that developed after Bentancur fouled James. Chalobah was also shown a yellow card. That Kudus shot on target followed good play by Sarr, Muani then Kudus with his on-target shot.
Spurs kicked off the second half, playing towards the South Stand, but the ball was soon going the other way and Vicario had to save from Enzo Fernandez. Spurs won a corner at the other end, and a Danso throw did reach Bentancur, but he just could not get his feet right to hit a shot. Fernandez headed over at the other end after a Reece James delivery.
Vicario held a shot by Pedro Neto after Danso had lost the ball under pressure towards the left corner flag. Spurs won a corner with some good play down the right channel, but the corner was gifted to Sanchez.
Any rhythm in the game was soon broken by the raft of substitutions on both sides. One of these was Romero, who did his best to urge Spurs on, but to no avail. Sarr hit a pass to Kudus who hit a shot from a central position. This was firmly blocked and looped into the hands of Sanchez.
Substitute Xavi was replaced by Kudus and Udogie replaced Pedro Porro. Djed Spence moved to right back. Vicario had to save Neto's rising shot and James' effort from the rebound was over the target.
In added time, Chelsea could have added two more goals. Joao Pedro teed up sub Gittens, but he fired over with the goal gaping. Vicario made a brilliant stop from Pedro, after Fernandez's pass.
The inevitable loss to Chelsea and another poor home result was all too distressing.
Next up is a home Champions League game against Copenhagen on Tuesday. Needless to say, we desperately need to see a win.
. Spurs record in London Derby League matches since 1997
. Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
. Read the preview for this game.