Premier League: Let the Battle Recommence

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea

Let’s pull no punches.

These two don’t like each other very much and it shows.

I’ve alluded to this in a previous Premier League clash between the two – certainly some sections of their respective support make it clear and that has been very much mirrored on the pitch at times also.

Of course, never more so than in 2016 in what was dubbed the ‘Battle of the Bridge’.

Now the two clubs are preparing to meet in the Premier League again this Sunday and, after just one win in their past 12 clashes, Spurs could be forgiven for scenting blood.

Talking Points

That is because Premier League 2023 highlights have been so hard to come by for Chelsea of late.

Sure, they have had key absences at times this season – none more than N’Golo Kante and Raheem Sterling – and their January outlay on players was vast adding to the pressure, even if the recruitment proves financially worthwhile in the long term following the arrival of many young talents with the capacity to be key figures for the next decade or more.

Combined though, all these factors add to the pressure manager Graham Potter is currently facing as he attempts to blend a new-look squad and, with each passing result, the scrutiny grows on the ex-Brighton man.

Certainly, a new low was reached last Saturday when a trademark free-kick from James Ward-Prowse in first-half stoppage time earned the Premier League’s bottom club a surprise victory at Stamford Bridge.

His curling effort over the Chelsea wall and into the corner from the edge of the penalty area was his 17th direct free-kick in the Premier League.

Premier League

Leeds United

Southampton

CLICK HERE

TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

Yes it has been noted within the club’s new hierarchy that Potter has had to deal with injuries to several key players and he retains the board’s support, even if some fans who were taken with predecessor Thomas Tuchel are becoming impatient.

But while the talk of giving Potter time to build continues, he is not doing a great job of winning over the sceptics.

Chelsea are 10th after winning two of their past 14 games and there was no excuse for losing at home to the league’s worst side.

That is why they could do with beating their old rivals again; old rivals who scent blood and are keen to avenge recent defeats.

History

After holding a hoodoo over Spurs for so long, Chelsea then struggled for a few years against their London rivals.

Yet they have enjoyed the upper hand again of late, including five victories in their last six.

Four of those came last season, three within as many weeks of each other.

In January, they were 2-0 home winners in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final as Kai Havertz and an own goal put them in control before Antonio Rudiger scored the only goal of the second leg for a 3-0 aggregate success.

When they met in the league at Stamford Bridge little over a week later, Chelsea – managed by Tuchel – again triumphed as Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva scored two quick goals early in the second half without reply.

The earlier season meeting in North London had resulted in a comfortable 3-0 win for the Blues, Silva, Kante and Rudiger the marksmen – which meant over four games last term, Chelsea were 8-0 winners.

Harry Kane is expected to save Spurs from a defeat when they take on struggling Chelsea in the Premier League — Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring against Chelsea during their Premier League match last August 2022

The one exception to their recent record came earlier this season when Harry Kane netted a stoppage-time equaliser in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in which the post-match exchange between Tuchel and ex-Spurs boss Antonio Conte made the headlines.

Although Spurs won a penalty shoot-out after a League Cup clash in September 2020, it is November 2018 since they beat their adversaries in the league.

On that occasion, Dele Alli, Kane and Son Heung-Min scored in a dominant 3-1 victory.

Overall, Chelsea have triumphed in 77 of their meetings with Spurs enjoying victory 55 times and 42 matches ending all square.