Premier League London derby: Chelsea in first place

London Derby: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea goals: Rodriguez Pedro 45, Victor Moses 51
Tottenham goal: Christian Eriksen 11

In one of the biggest fixtures of the season, Chelsea battled back from behind to win the London Derby against Spurs after an opening goal by Christian Eriksen put Spurs ahead at 11 minutes. Rodriguez Pedro scored the equalizer for Spurs at 45 minutes, and Chelsea “Hero of the Match” Victor Moses scored the winner at 51 minutes. Tottenham lost their unbeaten record in the Premier League this season, while Chelsea extended their unbeaten run to seven wins. Both squads wore their first-choice colors - Chelsea wearing bright blue, and Spurs in sparkling white shirts.

It is obvious that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has reinvented his side, after watching the Blues defeat rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the wonderful atmosphere of the London Derby at Stamford Bridge, earning their three points and the top spot at the summit of the Premier League Table going into Match Week 14. Clearly Chelsea are a team to reckon with sitting firmly in the running for the Premier League title this season, and are capable of getting a spot in the Champions League next campaign. Antonio Conte fielded the same Premier League Chelsea side for the sixth successive time, and won again with the same men. Chelsea saw off Tottenham Hotspur by mustering a comeback after going a goal behind early in the first half. Pedro and Victor Moses supplied the goals for a ruthless Chelsea to defeat their London rivals.

A contented and confident Conte got the feedback he needed to know he had made the right choice in the selection of his side. Conte’s side is far different than the Chelsea club who capitulated against Liverpool and Arsenal. “Now we are another team compared to the Liverpool and Arsenal games,” said Conte. “If we were the same team we would lose this game, for sure. Now we have another type of confidence. I liked our reaction a lot. We won and I am pleased because it wasn’t easy.” Tottenham began the match playing in top form, but the style that had kept them unbeaten in the Premier League since the start of the season did not hold up against mighty Chelsea. After being knocked out of the Champions League, Mauricio Pochettino’s men needed to be brave and reach deep to come up from their blues and regain their confidence.

“If you want to analyze the result, Chelsea win, congratulations. If you want to analyze the 94 minutes, Tottenham had a lot of positives,” said Pochettino post match. “But in football you need to score. In football sometimes it’s difficult to explain but this is not difficult. They were clinical in front of the goal and we weren’t.” In the beginning of the match, Spurs looked confident and maintained possession. Ten minutes into the match they opened the scoring. Mousa Dembélé moved the ball up the left side to Dele Alli then to Christian Eriksen who sent a thunderous shot into the net.

Spurs’ Dembélé and Victor Wanyama were able to hold Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen before David Luiz attempted Chelsea’s first shot just before the half-hour mark - a free-kick that was easily saved by Hugo Lloris. Tottenham continued their dominance and continued to create chances with efforts from Kyle Walker, Harry Kane and Eriksen. A minute before half-time, Spaniard Pedro took possession 20 yards out and scored Chelsea’s first goal of the match, sending a shot into the top corner. In the second half, Chelsea were soon in possession, with pressure coming from Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, and Moses.

Chelsea boss Conte postponed any title talk after the victory. “It is not right to talk about this,” said Conte. “We have a long way in front of us. It’s important to stay humble and continue to trust in our work. Today we won a game against a really strong team. Tomorrow it’s important to think about the next game, against City, another very strong team. We have to continue to work. We don’t forget that against Arsenal and Liverpool we lost.” Buoyed by seven wins in a row, Conte’s Chelsea are a “different team” now compared to the club that lost to Liverpool and Arsenal, with the leaders buoyed by seven consecutive wins and confident they can go on to win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

“Two months ago we went to Arsenal and we weren’t ready, but now we know what we have to do,” said Eden Hazard. “Manchester City and Liverpool are both good so, if we want to be top at the end, we have to finish above them.” Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses will start talks over an improved contract in the New Year after recently attracting interest from Barcelona. The Nigeria international scored the winner against the Spurs on Saturday. Moses has spent the past three seasons out on loan and has two years to go on his current contract.

Before the game, a smiling Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino discussed his back line and his side’s slump at the end of last season. “Jan Vertonghen will play in the center with Eric Dier, and Kevin Wimmer will play on the left. But both can play on the left. The possibilities are good,” said Pochettino. “We need to forget about what happened last season.” Before the match Chelsea manager Antonio Conte talked about his confidence in his squad. “I have a lot of confidence in my whole squad. But it is normal that I pick the eleven who start, because in this moment they play very well,” said Conte. “I always tell my players to be focused and concentrate, and to think of the game. This is most important if you want to win.”

Squads

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte named an unchanged side from the eleven starters who defeated Middlesbrough last Sunday. Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino made three changes to his side that crashed out of the Champions League at Monaco last week. Danny Rose was unavailable while Kieran Trippier and Harry Winks dropped to the bench. On the starting squad are Jan Vertonghen, Kyle Walker and Christian Eriksen.

Chelsea
Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Pedro, Costa, Hazard. Subs: Begovic, Ivanovic, Fabregas, Oscar, Willian, Batshuayi, Chalobah.

Tottenham Hotspur

Lloris, Dier, Wimmer, Vertonghen, Walker, Wanyama, Dembele, Son, Eriksen, Alli, Kane. Subs: Janssen, Vorm, Nkoudou, Trippier, Onomah, Winks, Carter-Vickers.Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

Earlier in the day, Manchester City and Liverpool plundered points ending up tied for second place. Next Chelsea face Manchester City this weekend. Chelsea v Manchester City tickets are for sale now online at 1st4FootballTickets.com!