Enzo Maresca's Chelsea kept their Champions League dreams alive on Thursday evening as they beat an under-firing Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge
22:05, 03 Apr 2025Updated 22:06, 03 Apr 2025
Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca's side are just outside the Champions League spots(Image: Getty Images)
Where do Tottenham Hotspur go from here? Another gameweek and another loss for Ange Postecoglou and his men.
It was hardly a classic under the lights, but Enzo Maresca's Chelsea have made their steps towards the Champions League as Spurs' season continues to slip and slide.
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There were two goals chalked off by VAR, but Enzo Fernandez was the difference maker thanks to his stroke just after the second half kicked into gear. And Daily Star Sporthas a look at what Maresca got right on Thursday evening.
Keeping their cool
A fight breaks out between both teams during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Stamford Bridge on April 3, 2025 in London, England.
The clash threatened to boil over in the first half(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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Chelsea were able to keep their cool just before the half-time whistle as the game threatened to descend into chaos.
Chelsea and Tottenham have had their fair share of tense clashes down the years - and it threatened to boil over when there was some pushing and shoving. It was a teetering point in the game that could have gone either way.
Instead, Enzo Maresca's side kept their cool and put the game out of Spurs' hands with a second-half blitz. There were some yellow cards at the end of the game, but none of them were overly silly.
Dominating the midfield
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea goal celebration with Cole Palmer of Chelsea after scoring to put Chelsea 1-0 ahead during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Stamford Bridge on April 3, 2025 in London, England.
Chelsea dominated the midfield(Image: Getty Images)
It was a drab first half from the two sides - but one thing was clear, Chelsea had the much better midfielder. Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher said: "You want to see a lot more in [Tottenham's] midfield, more cohesion.
"They've had no shots on target. It's the second time they've not had any shots on target in the first half. They did it at Fulham, they've done it today.
"You need more end product. You need to create more chances. It's not been good enough from Tottenham!"
Keeping Dominic Solanke quiet
Dominic Solanke of Tottenham Hotspur looks dejected during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Stamford Bridge on April 03, 2025 in London, England.
Dominic Solanke struggled(Image: Getty Images)
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Heading into the final minutes of the game, Dominic Solanke's touch map resembled that of a midfielder. The Englishman had barely got on the ball, and when he did it was all in the wrong areas.
Trevoh Chalobah would have emptied him from his pockets when he got home - he didn't give him an inch for the entire clash.
"Solanke has absolutely honked when it comes to outlet play. Chalobah has mugged him off several times. Expected much more from him considering this was his return to the Bridge," one fan shared. And another added: "What is Solanke’s job? Bro can’t get a shot as a striker!"