Tottenham Hotspur moved to 12th in the Premier League following a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, marking their highest league position since January 2. This win, the club’s first at the stadium in recent years, serves as a significant milestone for a team that has faced consecutive 17th-placed finishes. The performance suggests that the restructuring process under manager Roberto de Zerbi is finally gaining traction. And, after back-to-back 17th-placed finishes, there are growing signs Roberto de Zerbi’s side are showing there is real light at the end of a pretty dark tunnel. Spurs had taken seven attempts to get their first league win of the season against Coventry on Monday and on Saturday they looked transformed from the side that did not even score a goal until September 1. Results like this galvanise a side. With seven games remaining, Tottenham were just one point clear of the drop zone, he arrived as the club’s third manager of the campaign and. Isn’t he, he’s like the Artful Dodger. But he’s brave against the ball, that midfield is full of mischief. Which is remarkable for a team which was just a few places from the bottom of the table, spurs had almost 70% possession. I think it was Tonali’s best game since joining Tottenham. Who missed almost all of last season with a serious knee injury, was key in Monday’s 3-1 home victory over Coventry City – and he again looked impressive before being withdrawn in the second half, the return of Maddison. In the summer, Spurs twice broke their transfer record with three of their first signings, as they added centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. Including Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski, who are making comebacks from lengthy absences, maddison is part of a returning group of players. As well as the team meeting before the Old Trafford encounter, Spurs enjoyed a warm-weather training camp in Marbella, where heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua paid them a visit.
The match was only the second time in 42 attempts that Tottenham secured back-to-back league wins.
The visitors displayed marked improvement, enjoying 68% possession—their highest share in a single match since April 2025.
While Chelsea contributed to the result with an own goal from goalkeeper Mike Penders and a late red card for Cole Palmer, Tottenham’s performance was largely credited to a transformed squad playing with newfound control. Although Chelsea certainly gave them a helping hand with goalkeeper Mike Penders punching the opener into his own net and Cole Palmer sent off for two yellow cards, the win was deserved too.
De Zerbi, who took charge in late March 2026 with the team near the relegation zone, has overseen a busy transition period. After ensuring top-flight safety last season, the club invested over £300 million in summer signings to reshape the squad. De Zerbi emphasized that a frank team meeting held after the recent match against Manchester United was the turning point for the group’s morale. Italian De Zerbi was appointed Spurs boss at the end of March 2026 with the club in crisis.
“Before Manchester, we spoke a lot and had a big meeting. We removed the masks and spoke honestly and clearly in front of ourselves,” De Zerbi said. “I think we have put something different into Tottenham recently. We have changed the spirit of the group and improved the performances of our players, especially the younger ones.” From that moment, I think something started to change within us. While his coaches and substitutes raced towards the players in the corner of the ground, de Zerbi ran on to the pitch to celebrate with the travelling supporters at the final whistle.
Match Key Details and Insights
- James Maddison: Instrumental in midfield before suffering a suspected groin injury in the second half.
- Mathys Tel: Delivered the decisive contribution, earning praise for his attacking presence.
- Clean Sheet: Tottenham’s first at Stamford Bridge since 1986.
- Current Run: Three matches unbeaten, including a 1-1 draw at Manchester United and two consecutive league wins.
- De Zerbi’s Impact: Inherited a squad lacking confidence and has since sought to overhaul team relationships and mentality.
The return of James Maddison has been vital to the team’s recent form, though his substitution due to injury remains a point of concern. De Zerbi expressed hope that the issue is not serious. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown described the display as a “big statement,” noting that the midfield looked effective and disciplined throughout the afternoon. Despite another injury setback for Maddison, as he highlighted a team meeting earlier this month that sparked their revival in fortunes, it left De Zerbi glowing with positivity. I thought Tel was magnificent out on the left-hand side, [Mohammed] Kudus on the right was also really effective, and everybody really managed to handle the ball really well on the night. It was notable Fernandes, 22, was criticised by his manager last month.
Players have also echoed the manager’s sentiments regarding the club’s evolving culture.
Mathys Tel, who has faced criticism since his £30 million arrival from Bayern Munich in June 2025, reflected on the significance of the result. “It is very special because we have come to Chelsea so many times and not got a win. Who has attracted criticism from his own supporters since arriving from Bayern Munich for £30m in June 2025, provided the decisive moment to seal just a second league success in 36 years at Chelsea – a stunning low finish after a driving run, it was fitting that Tel.
We showed great mentality today,” Tel said.
Summer signing Matheus Fernandes added that the squad’s objective is to shift the club’s reputation and secure victories against elite opponents.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green observed that the win could act as a catalyst for the club. “They looked controlled and at ease. You feel, and say it quietly, Tottenham might just be coming back,” Green noted on Radio 5 Live. As the team climbs the table, the focus remains on sustaining the momentum gained from these back-to-back victories.
Important Details
- The French forward, 21, told Sky Sports: “It is very special because we have come to Chelsea so many times and not got a win. We showed great mentality today and we need to enjoy this win.
- The goal is something special for me, I’m happy about it and let’s keep pushing now, we created a lot of chances today. We walk out together.
- Summer signings starting to settle as rebuild under way.
- Tottenham spent more than £300m on signings in the summer.
