CHELSEA came from two goals behind to beat Spurs 4-3 and closed the gap on Liverpool to four points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Blues were 2-0 down within 11 minutes, before Jadon Sancho scored his second goal in five days to bring them back into it.
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With Arsenal losing ground after Fulham held them to 1-1 draw, Chelsea now enjoy a two point cushion over Mikel Arteta‘s men.
Cole Palmer‘s first penalty cancelled out both Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski‘s early strikes to leave many questioning what’s next for Ange Postecoglou?
Captain Enzo Fernandez completed the incredible comeback with a brilliant volley with his left foot from a bouncing ball in the 73rd minute.
A ridiculous shove from Pape Matar Sarr saw Anthony Taylor point to the spot again – with Palmer offering up a cool Panenka.
After missing untold chances, Son Heung-Min grabbed a consolation in 96th minute, but Spurs are winless since their 4-0 victory at Man City.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players…
Robert Sanchez – 4
The home fans were on to him for the entirety of the first half after he lumped the ball out of play early on.
Not an awful lot he could’ve done about the goals, and he did recover well in the second half.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Chelsea’s best defender on the day, he put in some strong challenges inverting into midfield and put in a solid performance once again.
Fortunate to escape a card for a late challenge on Pape Matar Sarr, before a brilliant second half.
Benoit Badiashile – 4
Looked uncomfortable playing as a left-footed centre-back on the right-hand side.
Often didn’t help Robert Sanchez by playing him into trouble, and looked awkward when trying to progress from the back.
Levi Colwill – 6
Allowed Solanke to get in front of him and finish brilliantly at the near post for the opening goal.
Didn’t have an awful lot to do in the second half, which was perhaps a good sign, as the whole defence was improved.
Marc Cucurella – 4
Slipped at the vital moment to practically set Spurs through and open the scoring within five minutes, before slipping AGAIN which saw Kulusevski double the lead.
Recovered really well after swapping his ice skates for football boots, nabbing the assist for Sancho’s goal and giving a solid showing for the whole second half.
That said, he has to be marked down for the two goals.
Romeo Lavia – 8
Energetic, strong and smooth on the turn in midfield, with some brilliant line-breaking passes too.
Much the same as Caicedo, he is becoming a dependable, impressive body in the Chelsea midfield.
Came off at half-time for Malo Gusto, which must have been a tactical switch.
Enzo Fernandez (c) – 9
Didn’t misplace a single one of his 28 passes in the first half, the same as Lavia – before adding a stunning, game-winning, left-footed volley to his myriad of impressive actions.
His best game in a Chelsea shirt came in one of their biggest matches of the season, as he continues his remarkable run of goal contributions.
Pedro Neto – 7
A threat on the right wing in the first half for Chelsea, he pressed well and came close to scoring Palmer’s deflected effort.
A constant danger, he was creative but slightly lacked in end product if you’re being critical.
Cole Palmer – 9
Mis-kicked a chance in the first twenty minutes you would usually bet your house on him scoring, before coming close again with a shot from range moments later.
Calmly dispatched his equalising penalty into the bottom corner, before setting up Enzo Fernandez to put his side in the lead.
Added the cherry on the Chelsea cake with an ice-cold panenka from the penalty spot.
Jadon Sancho – 8
Excellent finish to pull one back for the Blues and spark hope among supporters.
Generally sharp in build-up, and tricky feet as always, with a great slide-rule pass to see Caicedo win the penalty for Chelsea’s equaliser.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Looked a threat going forward for Chelsea in spells, but failed to get himself on the scoresheet on this occasion.
Seemed troubled as he departed the pitch for the oncoming Christopher Nkunku.
SUBS:
Malo Gusto (Romeo Lavia, HT) – 5
Was more direct and definitely an improvement on Malacia, albeit on the opposite flank.
However, still wasn’t able to be the difference which Ruben Amorim would’ve been looking for in this one.
Christopher Nkunku (Nicolas Jackson, 76)
Got in some good positions and pressed well, remaining an outlet for the Chelsea attack when they countered.
Ultimately not enough time to have the impact he would’ve liked.
Noni Madueke (Pedro Neto, 86)
Not enough time to impact the game in any way.
Renato Veiga (Marc Cucurella, 90)
Not enough time to give a solid review, hardly touched the ball.
Joao Felix (Cole Palmer, 90)
Came on with seven minutes to go, in which Chelsea were defending for the most part.
