Tottenham 3 Chelsea 1: Brilliant Spurs hammer Sarri's men to first defeat

Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were on the scoresheet, while Christian Eriksen was inspired in Tottenham's 3-1 win over Chelsea.

Published : Nov 25, 2018 01:27 IST

Son Heung-min brought up his 50th goal in Tottenham colours with a sublime 54th-minute solo effort to break Maurizio Sarri's unbeaten streak as Chelsea boss.
Son Heung-min brought up his 50th goal in Tottenham colours with a sublime 54th-minute solo effort to break Maurizio Sarri's unbeaten streak as Chelsea boss.
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Son Heung-min brought up his 50th goal in Tottenham colours with a sublime 54th-minute solo effort to break Maurizio Sarri's unbeaten streak as Chelsea boss.

Tottenham left Maurizio Sarri's unbeaten record as Chelsea boss in tatters as it stormed to a 3-1 derby win at Wembley.

Dele Alli's sixth goal in this fixture got Spurs off to a flyer and Harry Kane made it 2-0 in the 16th minute. Son Heung-min was a menace to a ramshackle Chelsea defence throughout and brought up his 50th goal in Tottenham colours with a sublime 54th-minute solo effort.

Olivier Giroud's late header from Cesar Azpilicueta's cross could not stop Mauricio Pochettino's men leapfrogging Chelsea to go third in the Premier League, five points shy of leader Manchester City on 30 points.

READ | West Ham 0 Manchester City 4: Sane scores brace for dominant champion

Spurs swarmed all over Chelsea right from kick-off and had their reward in the eighth minute when Alli headed Christian Eriksen's delightful free-kick beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Son then blazed over and Kepa produced a superb save to deny the South Korea international.

The world's most expensive goalkeeper will look back at events from the 16th minute less favourably as David Luiz squirmed out of the way of Kane's speculative drive and Kepa remained static as the ball zipped past him.

 

Willian had a strike deflected over as Chelsea showed signs of life early in the second period, only for Son to bring the house down. The effervescent Tottenham forward had plenty to do when Alli fed the ball to him down the right flank, but he comfortably outstripped Jorginho and was barely troubled by David Luiz's ineffectual presence on his way to arrowing a crisp finish into the bottom corner.

Kane and Alli should have added further goals before substitute Giroud found scant consolation for a well-beaten Chelsea.

What does it mean? Pochettino underlines his brilliance

Manchester City is seemingly streaking off in pursuit of more records, with Liverpool remorselessly gegenpressing in pursuit. Throw in the excitement of bright new eras at Arsenal and Chelsea and it has been easy to cast a gloomy outlook over Tottenham. No new players, a delay in opening its new stadium and a faltering Champions League campaign have all contributed. But Pochettino has built a wonderful, formidable team that should never be underestimated. Sarri discussed the gap Chelsea has to make up on City this week. On this evidence becoming the best team in London, never mind the country, is a very tall order.

ALSO READ | Watford 0 Liverpool 3: Reds stay on Manchester City's tail

All-action Son reaches landmark in style

Eriksen's genial craft and Son's relentless running were a disorientating combination that Chelsea never effectively combated. The brilliant third goal will be long remembered by the Spurs faithful, not least because it seemed to neatly encapsulate all of Son's considerable qualities – pace, tirelessness, intelligence and a clinical edge.

 

David Luiz has one of those David Luiz games

There can be little doubt over David Luiz's considerable capabilities but there are few more maddening footballers in this era. This was a display right out of his Brazil v Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final playbook. His contributions to the second and third Tottenham goals were, frankly, pathetic.

What's next

Tottenham will continue its attempt at Champions League escapology when Inter visits Wembley on Wednesday, with Chelsea entertaining PAOK a day later.

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