Tottenham Hotspur secured a rare 2‑0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, propelling the club to 12th place in the Premier League – the highest position since early January. The win, which came after a 3‑1 triumph over Coventry City earlier in the week, marked the first time Spurs have won two league matches in a row in 42 attempts, a feat that has reignited optimism among the club’s supporters.
Roberto de Zerbi, who took the managerial reins in late March, credited a candid team meeting held earlier in the campaign for the turnaround. “After the Manchester United game we had a big meeting where we removed the masks and spoke honestly in front of ourselves,” he said. “From that moment something started to change within us. We have changed the spirit of the group and improved the performances of the players, especially the more fragile ones.” The Italian coach also praised the relationships he has forged with his squad, noting that the club’s recent transfer spend – over £300 million – has begun to bear fruit. De Zerbi highlighted the contributions of new signings such as Jan Paul van Hecke, Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, all of whom played well against Chelsea.
The match itself was a showcase of possession and composure. Tottenham dominated the ball, recording 68 % possession – the highest since April 2025 – and created numerous chances. James Maddison, who returned from a long injury lay‑off, was instrumental in midfield before being withdrawn with a suspected groin problem in the second half. Mathys Tel provided the decisive goal, while the defensive unit, buoyed by a red card to Cole Palmer and an own goal from Mike Penders, kept a clean sheet. The win was Tottenham’s first clean sheet at Chelsea since 1986.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green described the match as a “dream afternoon” for Spurs, noting their control and ease on the ball. Martin Keown, speaking to BBC Sport, praised the team’s performance, calling Maddison “magnificent” in midfield and highlighting the effective work of Tel and Mohammed Kudus on the flanks. The club’s recent summer spending, which broke its own transfer record twice, has seen a number of new players settle into the squad, with De Zerbi emphasizing that the “key personnel” have changed the club’s mentality.
Despite the positive momentum, Tottenham still face challenges. The team remains unbeaten in three games but has scored only eight goals in as many matches, and the injury to Maddison leaves a gap in midfield. De Zerbi remains optimistic, stating that the club’s “spirit” has improved and that the rebuild is well underway. With the Premier League still in its early stages, the Spurs’ next fixtures will test whether the resurgence can be sustained and if the club can climb further up the table.