Chelsea boost top-four hopes to pile pressure on Postecoglou
Enzo Fernandez scored as Chelsea beat Tottenham to move into the Premier League's top four and boost their hopes of Champions League football next season.
Defeat for Spurs piled more pressure on head coach Ange Postecoglou - whose side stay 14th, and remain on course to finish outside the top 10 for the first time since 2008.
The Blues, boosted by the returns from injury of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, dominated proceedings at Stamford Bridge, but they were frustrated by a goalless first-half having missed plenty of opportunities.
They carried the same threat after the interval and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Fernandez headed home Palmer's inch-perfect delivery.
Moises Caicedo swept a crisp volley past Guglielmo Vicario moments later, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside in the build-up following a four-minute VAR review.
Tottenham then had an equaliser ruled out after substitute Pape Matar Sarr fired in from 20 yards out.
Referee Craig Pawson, advised by VAR to have a look at the pitchside monitor, overturned his decision after watching the Spurs midfielder catch Caicedo with his studs before taking aim.
The result moves Chelsea to fourth in the Premier League, knocking reigning champions Manchester City down to fifth and Newcastle to sixth.
Maresca's side set up for big run-in
The Blues were in scintillating form from the off as they returned to action following the recent international break.
They were unlucky not to score in the first minute, when Jackson hit the post after Micky van de Ven's attempted clearance rebounded off the forward's shin.
The home fans were quick to celebrate when they though Malo Gusto had scored with a fierce strike before quickly realising it had rifled into the side-netting.
Vicario made a superb fingertip save to deny Jadon Sancho, while Jackson continued to cause Van de Ven and Cristian Romero all sorts of problems with darting runs towards the Tottenham penalty area.
And it was the two Spurs centre-backs who were caught off guard when Fernandez drifted easily between the pair and leapt highest to direct Palmer's cross in.
A strong end to the season is well within reach for Enzo Maresca's side.
Bolstered by the return of key players from injury, a Champions League spot is in their sights, while the chance for silverware in the Europa Conference League seems a genuine possibility.
Pressure piles on Postecoglou
Six minutes to come to a clear and obvious decision - Ange on VAR 'lottery'
After looking lacklustre for much of the game, Tottenham's surge forward in search of an equaliser came all too late.
Son Heung-min was agonisingly close to netting an 89th-minute leveller as he slided in to reach Brennan Johnson's cross, but Robert Sanchez scrambled across his goalline brilliantly to deny the Spurs captain.
While Chelsea constantly hassled their visitors, Tottenham looked panicked in defence, sloppy in possession and struggled to fashion many clear-cut chances.
Vicario, meanwhile, provided little reassurance to his backline with multiple wayward passes and an inability to command his box convincingly.
Frustrations boiled over on the stroke of half-time when Cristian Romero's shove on Levi Colwill caused a maul as players squared up to each other.
But Tottenham were unable to channel their emotions into anything worthwhile.
And in the wake of this defeat, Postecoglou's future at the club becomes all the more uncertain.
Some away fans directed chants of "you don't know what you're doing" at the Australian manager, who becomes the first-ever Spurs boss to lose his first four fixtures against Chelsea.
But there is still a hope for success in the Europa League - and a first trophy since 2008 - with a quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt next week.
Source: BBC Sport
