LONDON — Tottenham Hotspur are showing signs of a revival after a deserved 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lifted them to 12th in the Premier League, their highest position since 2 January. The result, just their second league success in 36 years at Chelsea, was only the second time they have won two league games in a row in 42 attempts and follows back-to-back 17th-placed finishes.
Spurs dominated the ball with 68% possession — the first time they have enjoyed that much control since April 2025 — and were helped by Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders punching the opener into his own net before Cole Palmer was sent off for two yellow cards. James Maddison and Mathys Tel starred for the visitors, with Tel sealing the win with a stunning low finish after a driving run. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told BBC Sport: "Tottenham have made a big statement in a really convincing performance," adding: "I thought Maddison was magnificent in midfield. He's like the Artful Dodger, isn't he?"
"I think we have put something different into Tottenham in the last period," said head coach Roberto De Zerbi. "Not a different attitude, but different relationships with the players, different relationships within the group. We have changed the spirit of the group and improved the performances of the players, especially some of the more fragile players, maybe the younger players. Mathys Tel was one of the best players on the pitch. Archie Gray is younger but he is already mature because he has the right mentality. I'm very, very happy." Former Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "A dream afternoon for Tottenham. They looked controlled, looked at ease, they looked like they were comfortable on the ball."
Italian De Zerbi was appointed Spurs boss at the end of March 2026 as the club's third manager of the campaign, arriving with seven games remaining and Tottenham just one point clear of the drop zone. After securing safety, the club spent more than £300m on summer signings for the first time in their history, twice breaking their transfer record to add centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, Matheus Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. De Zerbi said: "Jan Paul van Hecke played very well, Matheus Fernandes played very well, Sandro Tonali played very well. I think it was Tonali's best game since joining Tottenham," adding: "I think we won the game with our two wingers, Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel. They made the difference."
Maddison, who missed almost all of last season with a serious knee injury, had been key in Monday's 3-1 home victory over Coventry City and again impressed before being withdrawn in the second half with a suspected groin injury. "I don't think it is a very important problem," De Zerbi said. "I hope it is not a big problem. He is a special player for us. We need him." Tel, 21, who arrived from Bayern Munich for £30m in June 2025, told Sky Sports: "It is very special because we have come to Chelsea so many times and not got a win. We showed great mentality today and we need to enjoy this win." Summer signing Fernandes, 22, added: "We are here to change the club's mentality, we want to beat the top teams, and make this victory for the fans." De Zerbi ran onto the pitch to celebrate with the travelling supporters at the final whistle in a rare win that follows Tottenham's 2-0 win at Chelsea as Palmer sees red.