Premier League GW11 - Tottenham vs Chelsea

Tottenham vs Chelsea | Picture Credits: Getty Images

In a highly anticipated Premier League match, Tottenham hosted Chelsea, and it was an incredible match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs were eager to maintain their strong play after being undefeated under Ange Postecoglou. Under Mauricio Pochettino's leadership, Chelsea sought to go up from a comparatively lower spot in the league standings.

Spurs' Stellar Start:

Spurs are the only team in the Premier League without a loss this year thanks to Ange Postecoglou's outstanding start to the season. Spurs had a two-point lead over defending champion Manchester City and could go up to the top of the Premier League standings with a win, so the stakes were high.

Pochettino Returns:

Former Tottenham star Mauricio Pochettino was back at his old team, Chelsea, but in a new role as head coach. During the 2018–19 season, the Argentine manager guided Spurs to the UEFA Champions League final. His new task was to lead Chelsea, who was now ranked 13th in the league and was underperforming. But a victory in this London derby might propel them back into the top half.

Starting Lineups:

Tottenham (4-2-3-1):

• Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
  

• Defenders: Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie
  

• Midfielders: Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr
  

• Attacking Midfielders: Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson
  

• Forward: Son Heung-min
  

Subs: Giovani Lo Celso, Rodrigo Bentancur, Oliver Skipp, Richarlison, Emerson, Bryan Gil, Fraser Forster, Eric Dier, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1):

• Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
  

• Defenders: Reece James, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill
  

• Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez
  

• Attacking Midfielders: Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling
  

• Forward: Nicolas Jackson
  

Subs: Malo Gusto, Chimuanya Ugochukwu, Marc Cucurella, Deivid Washington, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Ian Maatsen, Dorde Petrovic, Mykhailo Mudryk.

VAR at it's best! Does Nothing Good!!! | Picture Credits: Getty Images

Second Half: Drama Continues

This already exciting match saw even more turns and twists in the second half. Cole Palmer had a chance to put Chelsea ahead in the 47th minute, but his shot missed the mark.

The game changed dramatically for Tottenham in the 55th minute after Destiny Udogie received a second yellow card, cutting the team's roster to only nine men and increasing the difficulty of their task.

Vicario made a fantastic save in the 67th minute to stop Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk from close range. Vicario's heroics, even with two players out, kept Tottenham in the match.

In the 75th minute, Jackson scored his second goal for Chelsea, taking advantage of a clever play featuring Raheem Sterling to give Chelsea the lead 2-1.

More VAR drama occurred in the 79th minute when Eric Dier of Tottenham looked to have scored, but a VAR review rejected the goal for offside. The scoreline did not change from 2-1.

Nicolas Jackson, who had already scored once for Chelsea, brilliantly headed the ball over the bar in the 56th minute after Reece James had produced a perfect cross. This would have given Chelsea a larger lead. With Jackson securing his brace in the ninety-first and fourth minutes, Chelsea led 3-1 and the game appeared all but won.

Jackson was not finished, though. He finished off his incredible hat-trick in the ninety-first minute and seven, giving Chelsea a dominating 4-1 lead. Jackson even had a chance to score a fourth goal in the ninety-ninth and ninth minutes, but his effort struck the crossbar.

First Half: Early Drama:

The game began with a flurry of activity, and Tottenham made their presence felt with the first goal after just six minutes. Spurs took a 1-0 lead when Dejan Kulusevski's strike nicked past Levi Colwill of Chelsea, sent Robert Sanchez the wrong way, and nestled into the net.

Chelsea had a great chance in the eleventh minute when Nicolas Jackson was set up by Raheem Sterling, but the forward stumbled and Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham made an important stop. But in the thirteenth minute, Son Heung-min showed off his skill with a spectacular goal that was later disallowed after a VAR review for an offside call.

Then, with a goal from Sterling in the twenty-first minute, Chelsea tied the score. Their happiness was short-lived, though, as the VAR review found that Sterling's arm had come into touch with the ball, disallowing the goal.

When Tottenham's Cristian Romero avoided a potential red card for a challenge on Levi Colwill in the 23rd minute, the tension reached unprecedented levels.

Chelsea looked to have scored through Moises Caicedo in the 27th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Romero was the subject of yet another VAR review, this time for a penalty and the possibility of a red card for a strong challenge on Enzo Fernandez, as if this dramatization wasn't enough.

When the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened again in the 31st minute, it determined that Romero's challenge was indeed worthy of a red card and gave Chelsea a penalty. Despite Vicario's best attempts, Cole Palmer coolly converted the penalty to tie the game at one. After a tense first half, both sides headed to their locker rooms with a score of 1-1.

Cool Parmer!!! | Picture Credits: Getty Images

It was a red card indeed | Picture Credits: Getty Images

Chelsea defeated a nine-man Tottenham team 4-1 to win the match, capping an incredible contest that came to a conclusion at the last whistle. Red cards, early goals, disallowed goals, and a plethora of dramatic moments kept both sets of fans on the edge of their seats during this thrilling game.

Chelsea's victory propelled them into the top half of the Premier League standings, while Tottenham, despite their extraordinary efforts and commitment, was unable to overcome their opponent. Spurs were still one point behind league leaders Manchester City in second place.

This London derby gave football fans an incredible demonstration of the energy, emotion, and unpredictable nature of the game for which the Premier League is known.

Jackson at his best | Picture Credits: Getty Images