Joao Pedro ended his goal drought for Chelsea, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This result extended Tottenham’s troubling home record in the Premier League, leaving fans visibly frustrated.
The Brazilian striker’s goal came late in the first half of the London derby, marking his first strike in nine games across all competitions since August 30 against Fulham. Pedro, who joined Chelsea from Brighton for £60 million ($78 million) in the close-season, has now scored three goals for the Blues.
Chelsea’s win, their third in four Premier League outings, propelled them to fourth place in the league standings, level on points with third-placed Tottenham but trailing on goal difference. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s struggles at home continue, having not won a league match at their stadium since their opening weekend victory over Burnley in August.
Tottenham’s Tactical Troubles
The ongoing home difficulties for Tottenham began under former manager Ange Postecoglou and have persisted into the tenure of current boss Frank. Despite a strong away performance with a 3-0 win at Everton, the home form remains a significant concern.
Fans have begun to express dissatisfaction with Frank’s tactical approach, which contrasts sharply with the club’s traditional attacking philosophy. Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, highlighted the growing unrest among supporters:
“This will be a big result for Chelsea, but a lot for Frank to ponder. They have a big problem in this stadium.”
Tensions were further exacerbated post-match when players Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven appeared to ignore Frank’s instructions, a situation the manager downplayed as a minor issue. “I understand why you ask the question but that’s one of the small issues,” Frank stated. “Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence have performed well this season and it’s just a small thing.”
Injuries and Defensive Lapses
Tottenham’s woes were compounded by an early injury to Lucas Bergvall, who suffered a head injury and was replaced by concussion substitute Xavi Simons. Bergvall’s frustration was evident as he pleaded with medical staff to remain on the field, eventually pushing a medic before being calmed by Frank.
Defensive lapses proved costly for Tottenham. Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo capitalized on a mistake, winning possession and setting up Joao Pedro for the game’s only goal. Frank’s frustration was palpable as he kicked a water bottle in response to the defensive error.
Despite some spirited attempts, including a powerful strike from Mohammed Kudus, Tottenham failed to seriously threaten Chelsea’s goal, leaving fans increasingly disillusioned with the team’s performance.
Arsenal and Manchester United’s Contrasting Fortunes
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Arsenal continued their impressive form with a 2-0 victory over Burnley, extending their lead at the top of the table. Goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice secured the win, with manager Mikel Arteta praising his team’s first-half performance:
“The first half was exceptional — we scored two goals and gave nothing away.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United salvaged a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest. Despite leading through Casemiro’s early goal, United found themselves trailing after quick goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona. Amad Diallo’s late volley rescued a point for United, with manager Ruben Amorim reflecting on the team’s resilience:
“My feeling is we played well but we dropped a little bit of energy. When we have the full energy we are the better team.”
Premier League Round-Up
In other matches, Wolves suffered a 3-0 defeat at Fulham, leaving them eight points adrift of safety. Crystal Palace returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Brentford, while Brighton overwhelmed Leeds 3-0 with standout performances from Danny Welbeck and Diego Gomez.
Looking ahead, Bournemouth, currently second in the league, are set to face Manchester City, aiming to maintain their strong start to the season.
As the Premier League season progresses, Tottenham’s home form remains a pressing issue, while Chelsea’s victory offers them momentum in their pursuit of a top-four finish. The coming weeks will be crucial for both teams as they navigate the challenges of the league.
