By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 22:13 BST, 3 April 2025 | Updated: 22:13 BST, 3 April 2025
Enzo Fernandez sent Chelsea back into the Champions League qualification positions with a second-half header that secured a 1-0 win over Tottenham in a typically feisty Premier League derby between the London rivals on Thursday.
The Argentina midfielder got in between defenders to nod home Cole Palmer´s cross in the 50th minute at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea climbed above Newcastle and Manchester City into fourth place in the Premier League, which should have five spots in next season´s Champions League. There are eight rounds left in the league.
This fixture has been wild and chaotic in recent years and while the latest edition was hardly a classic, there were 10 yellow cards and a melee to go with two goals disallowed after video review - one for each side.
Moises Caicedo thought he had put Chelsea 2-0 ahead in the 56th when he volleyed home sweetly after a free kick was only partially cleared, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Levi Colwill in the buildup after long VAR check that frustrated fans.
Tottenham substitute Pape Sarr then had a long-range strike scrubbed off because he fouled Caicedo before surging forward to take his shot. In the end, Sarr lost his goal and was booked for his challenge.
Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur, center, clashes with Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah, right, during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min had a chance saved by Robert Sanchez before 12 minutes of stoppage time.
Tottenham stayed in 14th place, with its priority now clearly the Europa League after reaching the quarterfinals.
The match saw the return from injury of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson after two months out.
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Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez celebrates after scoring the first goal against Tottenham during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, left, celebrates after scoring the first goal against Tottenham during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, left, celebrates after scoring the first goal against Tottenham during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Tottenham's goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, center, and Tottenham's Destiny Udogie, right, fight to save the ball from Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, left, during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Chelsea's Malo Gusto kicks the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Chelsea's Moises Caicedo shoots the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur, center, clashes with Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah, right, during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur, center, clashes with Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah, right, during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Tottenham's Son Heung-min, right, stops the Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur for a clash with the Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)