Chelsea sealed a 1-0 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, with Enzo Fernandez’s second-half header proving decisive in a heated London derby.
Cole Palmer, returning to form, delivered a pinpoint cross for Fernandez, who arrived unmarked to power home the winner.
The result extends Chelsea’s dominance over Spurs, with Ange Postecoglou becoming the first Tottenham manager to lose his first four league meetings against the Blues.
Spurs thought they had equalized late in the game when Pape Matar Sarr’s long-range strike beat Robert Sanchez, but VAR ruled it out for a foul on Moises Caicedo.
The decision sparked frustration among the traveling fans, who had already voiced their displeasure with Postecoglou’s tactics.
Chelsea started brightly, nearly scoring within the opening minute when Nicolas Jackson’s deflected effort hit the post.
The first half was marked by intensity rather than clear-cut chances, with both sides having goals disallowed and tempers flaring in stoppage time.
After Fernandez’s opener, Caicedo thought he had doubled the lead with a volley, but a lengthy VAR check ruled it out for offside.
Tottenham pushed for an equalizer, but Brennan Johnson’s cross to Son Heung-min in the 89th minute was wasted.
The defeat further dents Spurs’ top-four hopes and piles pressure on Postecoglou, whose side must now rely on Europa League success to secure Champions League football next season.
Chelsea, meanwhile, move closer to their rivals in the league standings.
