Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur secured their return to the Premier League’s top four, yet it was another reminder of their inconsistency in front of goal.
Enzo Fernandez’s second-half header proved decisive, but Enzo Maresca’s side once again let an opponent off the hook when a more clinical display could have ended the contest far earlier.
Chelsea dominated the first half, overwhelming Tottenham in midfield and exposing their defensive frailties. Nicolas Jackson, making his first start in two months, immediately made an impact, racing through on goal inside the opening minute.
His shot was partially blocked by Guglielmo Vicario before a panicked clearance sent the ball against the post. It was a chaotic moment, but one that set the tone for Chelsea’s early control.
Despite their dominance, Chelsea failed to make it count before the break. Jadon Sancho, preferred over the fit-again Noni Madueke, hesitated too often in key areas, frustrating the Stamford Bridge crowd. Maresca had urged him to shoot more, and when he finally did just before half-time, Vicario produced an outstanding save.
Chelsea needed a breakthrough, and five minutes into the second half, they found it. Cole Palmer’s floated cross exposed Tottenham’s defensive disorganisation, and Fernandez powered home a header to give Chelsea a deserved lead.
The hosts thought they had doubled their advantage when Moises Caicedo smashed in a stunning volley, but after a lengthy VAR check, Levi Colwill was ruled offside in the build-up. It gave Spurs a lifeline they barely deserved, and they finally began to threaten.
Sanchez had to react sharply to deny Son Heung-min at the far post, while Chelsea’s grip on the match loosened in the frantic closing stages.
Maresca admitted his side made life difficult for themselves. “We don’t work every day to play how we did in the final 10 minutes, with them having the ball,” he said. “But you need to learn to win like this as well.”
It was Chelsea’s fifth consecutive home league victory, but Maresca knows they cannot afford to be this wasteful in the run-in. With just eight games left, Chelsea’s Champions League fate is in their own hands. The question is whether they can show the ruthlessness needed to finish the job.
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