Moses makes all the difference as Chelsea maintain winning run
CHELSEA extended their winning sequence to seven Premier League games, coming from behind once again to extend Tottenham’s 26-year wait for victory at Stamford Bridge.
Not since Gary Lineker scored the winner in February 1990 have Spurs won at Chelsea and the visitors suffered their first loss of the season as Antonio Conte’s Blues responded from conceding a first Premier League goal in 601 minutes.
Pedro’s sublime strike cancelled out Christian Eriksen’s superb opener and Victor Moses struck what proved to be the winner in an excellent success for Chelsea, who have not lost to Spurs at home in 30 games.
Spurs’ worries are about more than just facing Chelsea, though. Mauricio Pochettino’s men now have just one win in 10 games in all competitions.
Spurs struck first when Dele Alli, excellent in the first half, sucked David Luiz out from the centre of Chelsea’s three-man defence.
Alli accepted the contact but had already shifted the ball on to Eriksen who fired in a brilliant strike from the edge of the area.
It was the first goal Chelsea had conceded since Arsenal’s third in the 40th minute of the Gunners’ win on September 24 in a match which prompted Conte to switch to a 3-4-3 formation.
Luiz had Chelsea’s first shot, a free-kick straight at Hugo Lloris after 30 minutes, while Spurs peppered Thibaut Courtois’ goal, mainly with strikes from distance, and tested his distribution.
Spurs then granted Pedro too much room on the edge of the area and he punished them, turning before netting a fine curling effort.
Conte’s men dominated the second period, with N’Golo Kante shooting straight at Lloris before Costa tore down the left channel.
He held off Mousa Dembele and cut the ball back across goal. Moses, free on the right, met it and his shot went in off the covering Jan Vertonghen.
Conte urged caution afterwards, saying: ‘It is too early to talk of the title. This league is very tough. It is important to continue this way and improve the confidence.’