Chelsea extended their lead over Tottenham to four points with a 2-1 win. Olivier Giroud and Marcos Alonso scored for the Blues as a late Rudiger own goal didn't influence the result.
Olivier Giroud was given the nod by Frank Lampard to start up top after the disappointing display from Michy Batshuayi. Dele Alli was dropped to the bench and Jose Mourinho selected Lucas Moura as the striker, still no Troy Parrott in the squad.
The opening ten minutes were quite passive with neither side looking to press the issue. Moura forced a save from Willy Caballero, with Kepa Arizaballaga still second choice, and Mason Mount made Hugo Lloris get down at his near post sharply to keep the score level.
Giroud had been given the opportunity to not only impress Lampard but France manager Didier Deschamps, and he obliged. Jorginho found Giroud with an excellent pass and he had an effort saved before Ross Barkley hit the post with the rebound. The ball fell to Giroud and he powered a shot past Lloris to give Chelsea the lead.
Chelsea's press had worked well against Tottenham's conservative approach. Marcos Alonso's chest-and-volley arrowed just over the top as Chelsea looked for a second. Another goal was not added and Tottenham came into the game more. An intricate move from Spurs resulted in Moura's shot being deflected over the bar and a heavy touch from Japhet Tanganga almost deceived Caballero but rolled agonisingly wide.
The same issues for Lampard had started to emerge but Chelsea would end the first half ahead, and deservedly so. Lampard's worries, though, would be immediately squashed in the second half.
In a move involving all of the players brought into the side by Lampard, Chelsea added a second. Giroud nodded the ball to Mount, flicked on to Barkley and then to Alonso and Lloris was unable to save an unstoppable shot. Chelsea were playing confidently and two up and potentially should've been a man up. Giovani Lo Celso appeared to stamp on Cesar Azpilicueta but VAR ruled it was accidental. He caught late and dangerously - a red, for me.
Tottenham never got into any rhythm during this match, which isn't surprising given their manager is Jose Mourinho. A nervousness did enter into the Chelsea faithful as the game went on as the encounter became scrappier with both sides unable to keep the ball. A penalty appeal for Tottenham on Harry Winks was rightly turned down.
Substitute Tammy Abraham almost got a third as he couldn't convert after great play down the right from Mount. Alonso hit the bar from a well taken free kick. After this, Darren Fletcher on commentary said the VAR officials admitted that Lo Celso should've been sent off. What a bizarre turn of events. It was down to human error which will always exist with just the referee making decisions, so what's the point of VAR?
The mess with VAR isn't surprising but Tottenham scoring was. Late on, Erik Lamela's shot diverted off Antonio Rudiger and into the net. The nerves returned to the crowd but Chelsea held on for an important win.
This performance again raises questions as to whether Mourinho is improving Tottenham. Chelsea, though, will be celebrating a win that is so crucial for Champions League qualification.
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