Tottenham finished the Premier League matchday in 12th place on Saturday after a 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It is their highest league position since 2 January, following two consecutive finishes in 17th place previously.
The win was only the second time they had won two league games in a row in 42 attempts. Tottenham needed seven attempts for their first league win of the season against Coventry on Monday, and the club did not score a goal until 19 September. For the first time since April 2025, they had 68 per cent possession in a match.
Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders scored the first goal against his own team, while Cole Palmer was sent off for two yellow cards. James Maddison and Mathys Tel had prominent roles in the win. Tel, the 21-year-old French striker who signed from Bayern for £30 million in June 2025, scored the decisive goal for the second league win in 36 years at Chelsea.
Manager Roberto de Zerbi highlighted a team meeting earlier this month that sparked the turnaround. 'Seven points after Manchester. Before Manchester we talked a lot, we had a big meeting,' De Zerbi said. 'We took off the masks and spoke honestly and clearly to each other. From that moment, I think something started to change in us.' He added: 'I think we have brought something different to Tottenham in the last period. We changed the spirit of the group and improved the performances of the players, especially some of the more fragile players, maybe the younger players. We have suffered enough.'
De Zerbi ran onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate with the fans. The Italian manager was appointed Spurs boss at the end of March 2026 as the club's third manager of the season. When he arrived, there were seven games left and Tottenham were just one point above the relegation zone. The club spent more than £300 million on summer signings for the first time in its history, and broke their transfer record twice in the summer with three of their first signings. They added defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle.
De Zerbi praised individuals: 'Jan Paul van Hecke played very well, Matheus Fernandes played very well, Sandro Tonali played very well. I think that was Tonali's best game since he joined Tottenham. Omar Marmoush played a good game. Mathys Tel also played very well. I think we won the game with our two wingers, Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel.' Fernandes, 22, was criticised by his manager last month.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live. 'A dream afternoon for Tottenham,' Green said. 'Results like this galvanise the team. Maddison got injured and will be a question mark for the next few weeks. Tottenham could come back.' Maddison missed almost all of last season due to a serious knee injury, and his return was key on Monday.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown spoke to BBC Sport. 'Tottenham made a big statement in a very convincing performance,' Keown said. 'I thought Maddison was magnificent in midfield. I thought Tel was magnificent on the left, Kudus on the right was also very effective. Spurs had nearly 70 per cent possession.'
Tel told Sky Sports: 'It is very special because we have come to Chelsea so many times and not won. We showed great mentality today and we must enjoy this win. We created a lot of chances today. The goal is something special for me, I am happy for it and we keep pushing now.' Summer signing Matheus Fernandes said: 'We are here to change the mentality of the club, we want to beat the best teams and dedicate this win to the fans.'
