Chelsea came from two goals behind to record a 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's spectacular Premier League contest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The result has moved the Blues back into second spot in the Premier League table, four points behind leaders Liverpool, while Tottenham remain down in 11th, with Ange Postecoglou's side losing their seventh league game of the season.
The breakthrough arrived after just five minutes, as Dominic Solanke turned a dangerous cross from Brennan Johnson into the back of the net from close range to spark jubilant scenes inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham scored again in the 11th minute, with Dejan Kulusevski picking out the bottom corner after working his way into the penalty box.
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella slipped for Tottenham's first goal, allowing Johnson to drive into a crossing position, and he was also sliding around before Kulusevski netted a second, with the Spaniard heading over to the bench at 2-0 to change his boots.
Chelsea were back in it in the 18th minute, though, as Jadon Sancho found the bottom corner off an assist from the heavily-involved Cucurella, and it was an excellent finish from the on-loan Manchester United attacker.
Pape Sarr headed against the crossbar late in the first period, just moments after being heavily challenged by Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo, which was not viewed to be excessive in the eyes or the referee or VAR.
Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the 59th minute of the contest when Caicedo was brought to the ground by Yves Bissouma with a rash challenge, and Cole Palmer stepped up to level the scores for Enzo Maresca's side.
The turnaround was then complete in the 74th minute, with Enzo Fernandez smashing one into the back of the net on the half-volley following excellent work from Palmer.
Chelsea were awarded another penalty in the 83rd minute when Sarr brought Palmer to the ground, and the ex-Manchester City youngster stepped up to score his second spot kick of the match and secure all the points for the Blues, who have once again demonstrated why they should be placed in the title argument this season.
Spurs did net a consolation late on through Son Heung-min, but there was never enough time for the hosts to score what would have been an incredible fourth.
TOTTENHAM VS. CHELSEA HIGHLIGHTS
Dominic Solanke goal vs. Chelsea (5th min, Tottenham 1-0 Chelsea)
Cucurella slips, Johnson capitalises and Solanke STRIKES! 🏹
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
Tottenham take an early lead ⚡ pic.twitter.com/B4YAhUMnRG
Tottenham make the breakthrough in the fifth minute of the match, as Solanke turns a cross from Johnson into the back of the net from close range; Solanke gets ahead of Levi Colwill to make contact, and the North London outfit are ahead on home soil.
Dejan Kulusevski goal vs. Chelsea (11th min, Tottenham 2-0 Chelsea)
Cucurella slips AGAIN and Kulusevski doubles Tottenham's lead! 🤯
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
The Chelsea defender immediately runs off the pitch to change his boots 🫣 pic.twitter.com/R1enDM5PGp
Tottenham have their second of the match in the 11th minute, with Kulusevski finding the bottom corner with a strike from just inside the Chelsea box; Cucurella slipped again in the build-up and then went straight over to change his boots after Kulusevski found the corner.
Jadon Sancho goal vs. Tottenham (18th min, Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea)
Jadon Sancho pulls one back for Chelsea and it's a BEAUTY! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/I0L4Gx9uaB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
Sancho finds the bottom corner from a Cucurella assist, and it is very much game on at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium; that is now goals in successive Chelsea matches for the on-loan Manchester United attacker.
Cole Palmer goal vs. Tottenham (61st min, Tottenham 2-2 Chelsea)
Cole Palmer equalises for Chelsea from the spot! 🥶 pic.twitter.com/ITlfR8Yulf
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
Chelsea level the scores in the 61st minute of the match, as Palmer sends his penalty past the Tottenham goalkeeper; a rash challenge from Bissouma and Caicedo saw the spot kick awarded, and Chelsea's number 20 made no mistake from the spot.
Enzo Fernandez goal vs. Tottenham (74th min, Tottenham 2-3 Chelsea)
Cole Palmer weaves his way through the Tottenham defence and Enzo Fernandez is there to finish it off with a brilliant strike 💫 pic.twitter.com/UofYO0PxY4
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
Chelsea score a third in the 74th minute, with Fernandez smashing one into the back of the net from inside the box after smart work from Palmer; incredible scenes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - the Blues have turned this game around to lead.
Cole Palmer goal vs. Tottenham (84th min, Tottenham 2-4 Chelsea)
"Coolness PERSONIFIED" 🥶
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
Cole Palmer with a Panenka penalty to put the game beyond all doubt! pic.twitter.com/JE96MpFUrr
Palmer scores his second penalty of the match after being fouled by Sarr inside the box; it is straight down the middle from the England international, and Tottenham are somehow now 4-2 behind on home soil.
97th min: Tottenham 3-4 Chelsea (Son Heung-min)
Could they? Tottenham have a third late on through Son, who turns in from close range, but it is surely too little, too late.
MAN OF THE MATCH - COLE PALMER
© Imago
Palmer, as has often been the case, was Chelsea's star of the show on Sunday, with the England international scoring twice from the penalty spot, while he set up Fernandez for his side's third of the afternoon.
Tottenham just could not live with the 22-year-old, who had four successful dribbles and four shots during a sensational display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he beats teammate Fernandez to his award.
TOTTENHAM VS. CHELSEA MATCH STATS
Possession: Tottenham 38%-62% Chelsea
Shots: Tottenham 13-17 Chelsea
Shots on target: Tottenham 5-8 Chelsea
Corners: Tottenham 5-10 Chelsea
Fouls: Tottenham 17-11 Chelsea
BEST STATS
Dominic Solanke now has more league goals vs. Chelsea (1) than he has Premier League appearances for them. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/AmBbgf7XO2
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 8, 2024
11 - With just 11 minutes played, this is the earliest Chelsea have been 2-0 down in a Premier League game since December 1996 v Leeds United (10th minute). Cinderella. pic.twitter.com/idBvW1U1EY
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 8, 2024
48 - Cole Palmer now has 50 goal involvements (33 goals, 17 assists) in 48 Premier League games for Chelsea; only Erling Haaland for Man City (39), Andy Cole for Newcastle (43), and Mo Salah for Liverpool (46) have ever reached 50 in fewer PL games for a club. Audacious. pic.twitter.com/nlaHMUvoAR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 8, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea will be bidding to make it six straight wins in all competitions when they head to Astana in the Conference League on Thursday night, before welcoming Brentford in the Premier League next Sunday.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will look to bounce back when they tackle Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night, before returning to Premier League action away to struggling Southampton next Sunday.
Matt Law
