Chelsea staged an incredible comeback to beat Tottenham 4-3 in a pulsating London derby on Sunday, climbing to second in the Premier League and keeping their title hopes alive.
Two ice-cool penalties from Cole Palmer capped a rollercoaster night, leaving Spurs reeling and Chelsea fans ecstatic.
For Tottenham, the game began as a dream. Dominic Solanke silenced the traveling Blues supporters by darting to the near post to turn in Brennan Johnson’s cross.
Moments later, Dejan Kulusevski danced past defenders before firing a low shot into the net, doubling the lead inside 11 minutes. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium erupted with hope, seemingly setting the stage for a perfect evening.
But Chelsea, a team unbeaten in their last six league games, showed their resilience. Jadon Sancho, who had recently reignited his career on loan from Manchester United, stunned Spurs with a long-range thunderbolt to pull one back, sparking a fiery Chelsea resurgence.
The first half was electric, with chances flying at both ends. Spurs could have widened their lead, but Pape Sarr’s header clipped the crossbar, and Solanke failed to finish Son Heung-min’s precise delivery.
At the other end, Fraser Forster stood tall, denying both Palmer and Pedro Neto with acrobatic saves. Tempers flared, with VAR sparing Moises Caicedo and Kulusevski red cards for reckless challenges.
Chelsea came out for the second half with fire in their hearts and a point to prove. Palmer, exuding confidence, orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. Yves Bissouma’s clumsy tackle on Caicedo handed the Blues their lifeline, and Palmer stepped up, dispatching the penalty with the precision of a seasoned veteran.
Minutes later, Palmer’s magic set up the Blues’ third. His effort was blocked, but the ball rolled kindly to Enzo Fernandez, who unleashed a venomous strike into the net. The roar from the Chelsea faithful reverberated around the stadium.
Spurs’ nightmare deepened as injuries forced both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven off, leaving their defense in disarray. Chelsea seized the moment. Sarr’s rash challenge on Palmer handed the young Englishman another spot-kick.
This time, Palmer coolly chipped a cheeky Panenka past Forster, oozing confidence and rubbing salt into Tottenham’s wounds.
Son Heung-min’s late strike gave Spurs faint hope, but it was too little, too late. Chelsea, led by Enzo Maresca’s masterful tactics, held firm in a dramatic finish, leaving Spurs fans heartbroken and questioning manager Ange Postecoglou’s future.
The win pushes Chelsea within four points of league leaders Liverpool, while Tottenham’s slump deepens, with only one win in seven games.
The night belonged to Chelsea—a team reborn, brimming with belief, and staking their claim as unlikely title contenders.
