Tottenham Hotspur’s fight to avoid the humiliation of relegation will go down the final day of the Premier League season after defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs knew victory would guarantee survival at the expense of West Ham United – and that a point would almost certainly be enough because of their superior goal difference.
Instead, they go into their final game at home to Everton with a two-point advantage over West Ham, but with the door left ajar for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to escape.
Chelsea, who had Calum McFarlane in charge having confirmed Xabi Alonso as their new manager from July, took the lead after 18 minutes when Enzo Fernandez sent a shot swerving beyond Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
Mathys Tel headed against the post for Spurs in the first half, but otherwise they were strangely lacklustre until late on, Chelsea doubling their lead after 67 minutes, Andrey Santos scoring from close range after Randal Kolo Muani conceded possession cheaply.
Richarlison gave Spurs hope with 16 minutes left, but they could not add the second goal that would have meant so much, ratcheting up the tension before Sunday’s decisive meeting with Everton.
Spurs were furious when they were denied a late penalty after Marc Cucurella was cautioned for dragging down Micky van de Ven at a corner, but it was adjudged that the ball was not yet in play.
Chelsea’s win improves their own chances of European football as they move into eighth position ahead of Brentford on goal difference.
