Chelsea Vs Tottenham Hotspur [2–1] – Premier League 2025/2026: Spurs Survival Fight Unfinished – Tactical Analysis

Chelsea and bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur faced off in the penultimate game of the season, a matchup crucial to both the fight for European places and the relegation battle.

This is one of the fiercest rivalries in the league, and this game was 10 years on from 'The Battle of the Bridge', where, again on the penultimate game week of the season, Tottenham travelled to Stamford Bridge in need of a result to stay in a title race with Leicester City.

Things have changed quite a bit for all three teams involved, or for those watching closely on that occasion.

In their first game since announcing that Xabi Alonso would take over in the summer, Chelsea were looking to secure some form of European football for him next season.

They had already been ruled out of Champions League football but were looking towards Brighton in seventh, which would get them into the UEFA Europa League.

Tottenham, on the other hand, needed just a point from their final two games going into this after West Ham United had lost 3-1 at St. James' Park two days earlier.

With Everton at home on the final day (one of the better away teams in the league), a point against a Chelsea side that hadn't won in seven league games would relieve the chance of any nerves playing a factor on Sunday.

While Tottenham started the better of the two sides, able to exploit the space out wide and between the lines, they ultimately fell behind to what you could either describe as an absolute screamer or a goalkeeping mistake (or, potentially, both).

They then conceded a characteristically (at least of the last few seasons) sloppy goal.

Richarlison gave them some hope, but it was the worst possible night for Spurs' fans.

Beaten by bitter rivals Chelsea, their Premier League status still not secure, and, to top it off, even more bitter rivals Arsenal secured a first league title in 22 years.

This tactical analysis breaks down the key moments of the game and how Spurs dominated much of it but were ultimately too fragile to get a result.

Chelsea Vs Tottenham Hotspur Lineup & Formation

Chelsea Lineup Vs Tottenham Hotspur

Interim boss Callum McFarlane changed system from the FA Cup Final defeat to Manchester City three days earlier.

Having gone with a back three at Wembley, he decided to switch back to a 4-2-3-1 against Tottenham.

Robert Sánchez remained in goal.

Josh Acheampong replaced Malo Gusto and started at right-back, with Marc Cucurella dropping back to left-back after starting higher up previously.

Wesley Fofana and Jorrel Hato started in defence, with Levi Colwill left out.

Andrey Santos and Moisés Caicedo started in the midfield pivot, with the Brazilian replacing Reece James.

Ahead of them was a trio of Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández.

Liam Delap replaced the injured João Pedro.

Chelsea made all five substitutions during the game.

Trevoh Chalobah replaced Acheampong on 74', and Mamadou Sarr replaced Fofana on 81' as McFarlane looked for fresher legs in defence.

Dário Essugo, Alejandro Garnacho and 18-year-old Sumatra Mhueka came on just before injury time for Neto, Palmer and Delap.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup Vs Chelsea

Having not played in over a week, Roberto De Zerbi was afforded the chance to name an unchanged XI and formation (his trusted 4-2-3-1) from the team that drew 1-1 with Leeds United.

Antonín Kinský started in goals, with a back four of Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie ahead of him.

Rodrigo Bentancur and João Palhinha, who had just learned he'd missed out on a FIFA World Cup place, started in the double pivot.

Randal Kolo Muani started wide right, with Mathys Tel out left, and Conor Gallagher returning to a chorus of boos at his former side in the #10.

Richarlison played as the lone striker.

The Italian made just three changes and in one go, bringing on Djed Spence, Pape Sarr and James Maddison with 20 minutes to go for Udogie, Palhinha and Kolo Muani in like-for-like changes.

Chelsea Vs Tottenham Hotspur: First Half Struggles

The first half of this game was a cagey affair.

Tottenham dominated the ball and looked to hit Chelsea in wide areas, with Cucurella often cheating in possession early on and Kolo Muani looking to run in behind.

The first shot of the game came in the 11th minute, with Tel hitting the post for the visitors.

Kolo Muani had beaten Cucurella to a pass, and as we can see in the image above, caught the Spaniard out of position again early on.

Palhinha (in possession) decides to spread the ball out wide to Tel on the other side.

Tottenham are then able to flood forward with numbers, and with Fernández drifting inside (#8), there is space to exploit out on the right.

Porro is given the time and space to cross the ball into the box, and with his excellent ability in that department, is able to find Tel's head, beating the inexperienced Acheampong to the ball.

It narrowly avoids going in, but this move gave Spurs hope and a method to hurt Chelsea, attacking the wide areas.

Tottenham's encouraging start lasted another seven minutes, when Fernández scored from long range.

Palmer picks up a second ball after Chelsea have sent it long and plays it inside.

Spurs are not set defensively, and there's space for Neto to run into.