The candid meeting that ‘changed’ Spurs – are they finally on way back?
Tottenham beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, lifting them to 12th in the Premier League and offering signs of a recovery after two consecutive 17th-placed finishes. The win was their first at Chelsea in 36 years and has raised hopes that Roberto de Zerbi is changing the team’s confidence and performances.
James Maddison and Mathys Tel impressed, with Tel scoring the decisive goal, while Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders put through his own net and Cole Palmer was sent off. Spurs had 68% possession, their highest share in a match since April 2025, and it was only their second pair of consecutive league wins in 42 attempts. De Zerbi took charge in March with the club near the relegation zone, then oversaw a summer in which Spurs spent more than £300m on signings; Maddison’s latest injury remains a concern.
In short
- Spurs beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
- The result lifted them to 12th in the league.
- De Zerbi says the group’s spirit and performances have improved.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The win offers credible evidence that Spurs may be improving: they ended a long wait for a league victory at Chelsea, controlled possession and have now won two league matches in a row. De Zerbi’s influence, stronger performances from players such as Maddison and Tel, and substantial investment could give supporters reason to believe the team is building momentum.
The case against
One result, even a historic away win, cannot establish that Spurs are on their way back after two 17th-placed finishes. They remain 12th, consecutive league wins have been rare, and Chelsea’s own goal and Palmer’s sending-off shaped the match; Maddison’s injury also underlines how fragile any progress may be.
Explained simply
Tottenham Hotspur, usually called Spurs, are a north London football club who have spent recent seasons struggling in the Premier League, England’s top division. Finishing 17th twice left them close to the relegation places, where the lowest-ranked clubs drop into a lower division.
Roberto de Zerbi became Spurs manager in March, and the club spent more than £300 million on new players over the summer. James Maddison is an attacking midfielder, while Mathys Tel is a forward; both are among the players supporters hope can help improve the team.
Spurs are also one of London’s major clubs, and their rivalry with Chelsea gives matches between them particular attention. A sustained improvement would matter for the club’s league position and its prospects of returning to European competition, though injuries and results over time will shape whether that happens.