Chelsea host Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Frank Lampard’s Blues will be looking to bounce back after the damaging defeat to Manchester United on Monday evening. They’ll have to do so without a host of first-team options though with N’golo Kante and Christian Pulisic long-term absentees. Tammy Abraham could return though with Ruben Loftus-Cheek set to be in the squad for the first time this season.
Tottenham are in the midst of an injury crisis too with Son Heung-min joining Harry Kane on the treatment table after breaking his arm in the win over Aston Villa last weekend. Jose Mourinho’s side lost to RB Leipzig in the Champions League in midweek but head to Stamford Bridge just one point behind their rivals in the race for the top four. We’ll have all the latest for you throughout the afternoon right here:
Frank Lampard has gone up against Jose Mourinho three times as a manager, he’s also won three times:
Olivier Giroud scores as Blues strengthen grip on fourth place:
Cesar Azpilicueta has praised his team’s spirit and voiced his surprise that Giovani Lo Celso wasn’t sent off for stamping on his leg. He said:
“We have shown through the season that we can adapt to different systems, every game is different but we knew our home form wasn’t the best and in this home derby we showed our character and our spirit. We are a squad and we need to be ready for every game. Everybody keeps fighting hard to be in the team.
“I’m not a player that likes to be on the floor. I’m a defender, I’m tough and I make fouls but it was a clear stamp on my shin and I was surprised because I felt it straight away. I’m surprised it was not a red card or even a yellow card, anybody can make mistakes but when you have a lot of replays it can make things easier.”
Reaction from the opening goalscorer Olivier Giroud who said:
“It was a very important game for us today. I want to talk about the team spirit, we’ve shown great character today. We knew that it was maybe a kind of turning point, we lost a bit of confidence at home but it was nice to bounce back and get this win.
“It was hard work against a rival so I feel relieved. It was a good feeling for me and a good moment, it’s been three months since I’ve started so it was a specil day for me and for all of us.”
Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham: The Frenchman took his chance with Tammy Abraham still unable to start following an ankle injury:
Chelsea 2 – 1 Tottenham
90+2 mins: The nerves have descended on Stamford Bridge after that goal. There’s four minutes added time and Tottenham are desperate for possession. Willian is caught offside and Spurs get the ball.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Tottenham
87 mins: It’s been a disappointing day for Tottenham. They haven’t looked threatening enough. There have been moments that they could have scored but they’ve been few and far between. Chelsea have been dominant from the get go.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Tottenham
84 mins: Chelsea win a free kick on the edge of Tottenham’s D. It’s a tricky angle and Marcos Alonso hits it with his left foot. The ball dips and hits the crossbar!
Chelsea 2 – 0 Tottenham
81 mins: Tammy Abraham comes close after a good move from Chelsea. They work the ball well on the right wing as Mount gets free. He runs into the box and passes to Abraham. Abraham gets a touch to the ball but Lloris makes a good save.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Tottenham
78 mins: Ross Barkley has had a decent game but his match is over now. Willian comes on to replace him as we approach the last ten minutes of the match.
Serge Aurier and Dele Alli both come on for Spurs, Steven Bergwijn and Toby Alderwiereld are the men to make way.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Tottenham
75 mins: Harry Winks squeezes himself into the box and goes to ground looking for a penalty. He doesn’t get one and Tottenham waste a potentially good attack.
Chelsea’s intensity has slackened, understandably at 2-0 up, but it is allowing Tottenham more of the ball.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Tottenham
69 mins: Lucas Moura tries to make something happen for Spurs by going on a decent run into the box. He’s met by blue shirts wherever he turns and can’t find a teammate when he cuts the ball into the middle of the box.
Tammy Abraham is stripped and ready to come on for Chelsea.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Tottenham
66 mins: Tottenham have a chance to get back into the game. They win a free kick about 20-yards out. Lamela takes it and wins a corner as the ball is deflected out off the bar.
The corner comes into the box and Caballero punches it away. Alderweireld sends the ball back into the box but Caballero claims it.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Tottenham
60 mins: That’s better! Spurs put together a good period of possession and pass the ball quickly to Ndombele. He turns well and runs into the box cutting through the centre-backs. There’s a moment were he can shoot but decides against it and Reece James comes in from his left and shoves him off the ball.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Tottenham
57 mins: Two goals down and no sign of changing it from Spurs. They can’t form a consistant attack and when they do they don’t get further than Chelsea’s back line.
Chelsea 2 – 0 Tottenham
54 mins: Jorginho tries to send Mount in behind the Tottenham back line but Davinson Sanchez does well to hold him off and let the ball roll out of play.
When is it and what time is kick-off?
The match will begin at 12.30pm on Saturday 22 February.
What TV channel is it on?
The match will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1, with coverage beginning at midday.
Prediction
Frank Lampard’s side are struggling badly at the moment, with the manager’s frustrations becoming increasingly apparent. Yet, the loss of Son Heung-min could prove so detrimental to Spurs’ hopes, not only in breaking down Chelsea’s defence, but for the remainder of this season. With Tammy Abraham set to return, Chelsea should finally recapture some of the firepower they showed earlier in the season and give their manager the response he desperately needs.
Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
