Roberto De Zerbi praised Tottenham Hotspur as a “complete team” after the club secured a 2‑0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The win, the second in Premier League history for Spurs at the West London ground, was secured by a 77th‑minute own goal from Mike Penders and a goal from Mathys Tel ten minutes later. Tottenham’s triumph came despite a red card for Cole Palmer, who was dismissed for two cautions – the first for confronting a Chelsea defender and the second for a late challenge on substitute Conor Gallagher.
The result is a landmark moment for De Zerbi’s side, who had struggled early in the campaign and sat at the bottom of the table after a costly £400 million spend on ten new players. The manager said the win was “a big moment for the fans, the club and the players” and highlighted the team’s progress in mentality, cohesion and on‑field performance. “We are improving a lot, in the mentality, in the group and the relationships with the players, and then we are improving on the pitch,” he explained. De Zerbi added that the club’s recent internal meeting before a 1‑1 draw with Manchester United had been a turning point, “removing the mask and speaking honestly, clearly in front of ourselves.”
Chelsea’s own milestone was the 10‑man side’s first red card at the venue, a rare occurrence that added to the drama of the match. The match also saw James Maddison, who had returned from an ACL injury, forced off after just six minutes of the second half. De Zerbi expressed hope that the injury would not be severe, noting Maddison’s importance to the squad and the need for medical assessment in the coming days.
With the win, Tottenham move up the Premier League table, while Chelsea’s defeat leaves them further from the top. The victory underscores De Zerbi’s belief that the team’s recent improvements are tangible, and the manager remains optimistic about the direction the club is heading. The next fixture will test whether the momentum gained at Stamford Bridge can carry forward into the remainder of the season.