Chelsea defeated Tottenham in a tense London derby on Sunday afternoon, with Hakim Ziyech’s magnificent strike the highlight of the day.
The visitors got the better of a tense first half, but were fortunate to be tied at halftime. After wonderful work from the energetic Mason Mount, Romelu Lukaku should have scored in the first minute, but he skied his attempt, and Callum Hudson-Odoi failed to aim a back-post header.
Thiago Silva twice headed over from corners, one after some slick movement and the other after a dipping strike from Ziyech, who forced Hugo Lloris into a save.
After a quarter-hour, Spurs had their own chance on the break, but Harry Winks’ feeble attempt was straight at Kepa.
Matt Doherty survived a quick VAR review after trampling on Malang Sarr’s ankle just before the 20-minute mark, the first of a series of hot points.
The second came just before halftime, when Harry Kane’s joy was cut short after he was ruled to have shoved Thiago Silva before converting from a cross. It was a one-handed shove, therefore it was soft, according to replays. Lukaku’s half-chance was thwarted by a block, and the two teams headed into the interval goalless.
Chelsea’s pressure finally paid off two minutes into the second half, and it was a magnificent goal. On the edge of the area, Ziyech moved the ball out of his foot before unleashing an absolutely magnificent, arching finish into the top right corner over a stunned Lloris.
He was at it again two minutes later, this time slamming a loose ball towards goal, which Lloris was able to deflect away.
The Blues were in command, and Mount’s magnificent attempt sailed just wide of the crossbar before Silva doubled their lead. Mount’s free kick was greeted with an inch-perfect header into the corner by the Brazilian.
Lukaku rolled Davinson Sanchez and drove down on goal, but the Belgian’s greatest chance was stopped by Lloris, who was equal to his low drive.
In the closing minutes, the hosts were almost made to sweat, as Kane’s header was acrobatically turned away by the flying Kepa.
The English top flight will take a vacation next week, giving both sides a break in their schedules. Chelsea will play Plymouth Argyle in the fourth round of the FA Cup at home on February 5th. On the same day, Tottenham is in play at home against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
