# Glitch in Chelsea’s coding costs Alonso as resurgent Spurs win set-piece battle | Barney Ronay

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/glitch-in-chelseas-coding-costs-alonso-as-resurgent-spurs-win-set-piece-battle-barney-ronay/
- Published: 2026-10-24T20:59:57+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-24T21:52:52+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/24/chelsea-tottenham-premier-league-austin-macphee-mike-penders-roberto-de-zerbi
- Topics: Football, Sport

## Key points

- A Chelsea corner tactic left space for Tottenham to score.
- Mike Penders’ own goal broke the deadlock.
- Mathys Tel sealed Spurs’ win after Cole Palmer was sent off.

## Summary

Tottenham beat Chelsea with a late goal after a match dominated by cautious tactical play and unusual corner routines. Chelsea’s plan to pull players out of their own penalty area left space for Tottenham’s corner, and goalkeeper Mike Penders punched the ball into his own net, giving Spurs the opening they needed.

Cole Palmer was sent off for a second yellow card after fouling Conor Gallagher, and Mathys Tel scored in the 87th minute with a low shot inside the near post. Chelsea struggled to create chances without João Pedro, while Tottenham’s win reflected their success in the set-piece battle; the article also questions whether Chelsea’s changing squad and tactics are undermining their attacking play.

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