Tottenham secure 2-0 win at Chelsea: Signs of revival under De Zerbi

Tottenham Hotspur secured a rare and impressive 2-0 victory away against Chelsea on Saturday, lifting them up to 12th place in the Premier League table—their highest league position since January 2. Following consecutive 17th-place finishes, the result provides growing optimism that Roberto de Zerbi's side is finally turning a corner.

The win at Stamford Bridge marks only the second time Tottenham have won back-to-back league games in 42 attempts, propelled by standout performances from James Maddison and Mathys Tel. Spurs also recorded 68% possession, their highest in a single match since April 2025, capitalising on an own goal by Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders and a red card shown to Cole Palmer.

Italian manager Roberto de Zerbi, who took charge in late March 2026 when the club was fighting relegation, pointed to a crucial team meeting earlier this month as the catalyst for their recent revival. The squad also benefited from a warm-weather training camp in Marbella, where heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua visited the players.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

"I think we have put something different into Tottenham in the last period. Not a different attitude, but different relationships with the players, different relationships within the group. We have changed the spirit of the group and improved the performances of the players, especially some of the more fragile players, maybe the younger players. We have suffered enough."

Roberto de Zerbi

In the summer transfer window, Spurs broke their transfer records and spent over £300m for the first time in history to back De Zerbi. New arrivals such as Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, Matheus Fernandes from West Ham, and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle all delivered impressive displays against Chelsea.