Joao Pedro lastly introduced a halt to his Chelsea objective drought because the Brazilian striker sealed a 1-0 win to increase Tottenham’s dismal file on their dwelling turf on Saturday.
Enzo Maresca’s facet took the lead when Joao Pedro netted late within the first half of the London derby on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It was his first objective in 9 video games in all competitions relationship again to his final strike in opposition to Fulham on August 30.
The 24-year-old has netted solely 3 times for the Blues since signing from Brighton in a £60 million ($78 million) transfer within the close-season.
Chelsea’s third win of their final 4 Premier League video games lifted them into fourth place, behind third-placed Tottenham on objective distinction.
Tottenham have not gained at dwelling within the league since beating Burnley on the opening weekend of the season in August.
Their wretched dwelling league type in 2025 began beneath Frank’s predecessor Ange Postecoglou and the previous Brentford boss is but to discover a remedy.
Though they misplaced within the League Cup fourth spherical at Newcastle in midweek, Tottenham have fared significantly better on the highway this season, with an emphatic 3-0 win at Everton of their earlier top-flight recreation.
However Tottenham followers are starting to indicate indicators of discontent at Frank’s prosaic ways, which stand in stark distinction to the membership’s ‘to dare is to do’ ethos.
Frank was hit by an early damage blow when Lucas Bergvall suffered a head damage and was changed by concussion substitute Xavi Simons.
Bergvall appeared to plead with Tottenham’s medical workers to let him keep on and once they refused, he angrily pushed one of many medics earlier than Frank intervened to diffuse the state of affairs.
Sloppy Spurs
Alejandro Garnacho carried Chelsea’s predominant menace within the first half because the Argentine ahead examined Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario from distance.
Vicario went down with an knee damage halfway by the half, however he was capable of proceed after remedy and instantly got here to Tottenham’s rescue.
Pedro Porro’s clearance rebounded off Garnacho to Joao Pedro inside the realm and Vicario stood tall to repel his low strike.
However Joao Pedro wasn’t to be denied and he made amends for that miss with Chelsea’s opener within the thirty fourth minute.
Moises Caicedo tenaciously harried Simons and Micky van de Ven on the sting of the Tottenham space, successful possession and poking the ball in direction of Joao Pedro, who lashed into the roof of the web from six yards.
Frank was livid with Tottenham’s sloppy defending, kicking a water bottle in disgust on the touchline.
Having ended his barren run, Joao Pedro practically struck once more when he took Malo Gusto’s cross and unleashed a strong effort that Vicario tipped over.
Rodrigo Bentancur may contemplate himself lucky to flee with a reserving after the Tottenham midfielder’s ugly problem on Reece James was deemed “not critical foul play”.
Tottenham lastly compelled Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez into motion on the stroke of half-time with a Mohammed Kudus blast, however the Spaniard was equal to it.
Enzo Fernandez, unmarked 10 yards from objective, headed wastefully over from James’ cross quickly after the interval.
Frank’s facet have been responsible of conceding possession far too simply, with their lack of attacking impetus leaving their supporters more and more annoyed.
The followers’ angst mounted as Vicario needed to tip over from Pedro Neto’s fierce strike and Tottenham by no means critically threatened a late escape.
