Tottenham end 36-year Chelsea wait with landmark Stamford Bridge victory

Tottenham Hotspur ended a 36-year wait for a league victory at Chelsea with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge, prompting scenes of celebration from players and supporters who viewed the result as a potential turning point in their season.

The victory was only Tottenham’s second at the ground since Margaret Thatcher was Britain’s prime minister. Their previous success there came in 2018, while their only win in their preceding 41 visits in all competitions had been a 1-0 triumph in February 1990, when Gary Lineker scored the decisive goal.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side had started the week bottom of the Premier League, but Monday’s 3-1 home win against fellow strugglers Coventry City was followed by Saturday’s victory, which lifted them to 12th place with the rest of the weekend’s fixtures still to be played.

Tottenham’s travelling fans celebrated the final whistle as though their side had won a trophy. Players could be heard from the Stamford Bridge press room jumping up and down in the dressing room, still wearing their boots.

“I think we are playing well, not just today,” De Zerbi told BBC Radio after the celebrations had settled.

“Maybe now there is another atmosphere, there is another union amongst the players. With these two wins in a row they can believe more and more in themselves,” said the Italian, who later added: “We have suffered enough.”

The opening goal had an element of fortune. The match appeared to be heading towards a goalless draw until Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders, making his full Premier League debut, punched a Matheus Fernandes corner into his own net.

Tottenham doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Mathys Tel finished a counter-attack.

“It’s very special because we have come to Chelsea so many times and not got a win,” the France striker told Sky Sports. “We showed great mentality today and we need to enjoy this win.”

Chelsea’s afternoon became more difficult when Cole Palmer was sent off for the first time in his senior career. The midfielder received two yellow cards within nine minutes.

Tottenham controlled much of the contest, finishing with 70% possession and 15 shots to Chelsea’s seven.

Chelsea remain fourth in the table before Sunday’s matches, but Xabi Alonso’s team were below their fluent best. They also lacked leading scorer Joao Pedro, who was injured in training on Friday and is expected to undergo tests in the coming days.

“We need to be self-critical. We need to be at a better level,” Alonso told the BBC. “Sometimes you feel good and today, collectively and individually, we were not at our best.”

Asked about Palmer’s dismissal, Alonso said he wanted greater self-control from his players, after Chelsea recorded eight red cards last season.

“In those situations, the first yellow card can be decisive,” the Spaniard said. “It’s a process of the maturity of the team and of the individual players as well.”