Chelsea failed to win for an eighth successive Premier League match, their worst run since 2001, as they were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham Hotspur at the latter’s eponymously-named home stadium.
These two teams played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in August, but a lot has changed since then.
Thomas Tuchel was in charge of the Blues, for example, and his replacement in the dugout, Graham Potter, is under increasing pressure.
Chelsea had won just two of their last 15 games before kick-off, although the fact they had won each of their past three visits to London rivals Tottenham may have given them hope of arresting their slump.
The visitors looked the better of the two sides early on, with João Félix, in particular, looking lively.
The Portugal international, along with Raheem Sterling, provided the biggest tests for Fraser Forster in the Spurs goal, yet the goalkeeper was equal to both efforts.
Tottenham, meanwhile, were without Antonio Conte in the dugout for a fourth successive match as he recovers from surgery.
In all three games stand-in manager Cristian Stellini has taken charge of, Spurs have prevailed, and they almost took the lead here when Pierre-Emile Højbjerg hit the post via Wesley Fofana’s deflection.
Chelsea lost captain and top defender Thiago Silva to injury after 20 minutes, and it seemed they would be losing another starter when Hakim Ziyech was sent off in injury time for pushing Emerson Royal in the face.
However, although referee Stuart Atwell initially brandished a red card, he reduced it to a yellow following a visit to the pitchside monitor – that was the final important incident of a tense and scrappy first period.
It took less than 30 seconds for the hosts to make their mark after the interval. Emerson Royal had a shot saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga but, after the ball fell to Oliver Skipp following a poor clearance, the midfielder fired a shot into the top corner via Kepa’s fingertips.
Chelsea’s response was symptomatic of their campaign thus far – some nice touches in and around the area, but nothing to particularly worry Tottenham’s backline.
In the end, it was the home side who instead found the back of the net, as Harry Kane tapped home at the back post following Eric Dier’s header.
Tottenham are now four points clear of Newcastle United in fifth, although they have played two games more. Chelsea, meanwhile, remain 10th, and are closer to the bottom three than the top four.
