Chelsea’s win over Tottenham was pivotal for the club’s hopes of European football next season. The run of seven Premier League games without a win came to an end, and there were many positives.
Goals from Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos cancelled out Richarlison’s close-range effort and saw Chelsea climb into eighth place in the Premier League table, which promises the Conference League.
After that Tottenham performance, does Andrey Santos make a Xabi Alonso first XI?🤔
What a performance, though 🤩
Andrey Santos' wife's text to him
Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
A win against Sunderland on Sunday could see Chelsea climb to seventh and qualify for the Europa League. Xabi Alonso will feel he has unfinished business after losing the 2024 Europa League final.
An important win, as Chelsea jumped on the back of the optimism surrounding Alonso’s appointment. Fernandez and Santos were both excellent, Cole Palmer was rejuvenated and Jorrel Hato sparkled.
Calum McFarlane heaps praise on Jorrel Hato form since sacking
Netherlands international Hato had started to come good towards the back end of Rosenior’s stint as Chelsea manager. But it is his form since Rosenior departed that has caught the eye of Chelsea fans.
After an indifferent spell in the first half of the season following his £37m move from Ajax, Hato has been moved into the middle of the defence and is thriving. He was picked over other centre-backs last night.
Jorrel Hato of Chelsea salutes the supporters
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
A crucial moment came with the score at 2-1 to Chelsea, in the dying embers of the match. It looked as if James Maddison might score, only for a last-ditch block from Hato to keep the England star at bay.
McFarlane told Chelsea’s YouTube: “Yeah, he’s been brilliant since he’s come into the team in the last few months. Really consistent, can do everything on a football pitch. He’s a really exciting prospect.
“He’s still so young as well, so there’s so much development there, but I thought he was immense tonight. I thought he has been since he’s been coming into the team,” McFarlane continued on the Chelsea ace.
Troy Deeney says Jorrel Hato might have relegated Tottenham
The block from Hato was immense. It showed everything Chelsea have been accused of lacking this season, that fight, that determination, and that experience to leave his position to make the crucial block.
Hato, Joao Pedro or someone else? 🤔
Jorrel Hato prove me wrong graphic
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
It was a scrappy win, but it was a win nonetheless. Hato had as much say in blocking Maddison’s shot as Fernandez and Santos did in scoring their goals. Troy Deeney picked Hato in his BBC Team of the Week.
He said: “His tackle on James Maddison potentially sent Spurs down. It was a huge, huge tackle from a young player who deserves more game time. Hopefully, he will get more chances under Xabi Alonso.”
If Alonso was watching, there is no doubt that he will have been impressed and with McFarlane staying on the Chelsea coaching staff, Hato will no doubt be one of the leading players under the Spanish boss.
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