With all eyes falling on Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, Chelsea once again claimed local bragging rights against their historic rivals as they clung to a nail-biting 2-1 victory in west London.
In what was the definition of a must-win showdown for both sides, the red-hot Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring with a sensational 30-yard strike after just 18 minutes as he set Chelsea up for a first Premier league victory since way back on March 4th.
With news breaking prior to Tuesday’s showdown that Xabi Alonso has been appointed as the latest new boss in the west London dugout, the Blues doubled their lead with 23 minutes left as Brazilian youngster Andrey Santos swept home from close range.
While Richarlison might have tapped home at the back stick moments later to set up a grandstand finish at Stamford Bridge, Roberto Di Zerbi’s side suffered yet another Premier League defeat in SW6 and their fight for top-flight safety now officially goes down to the wire.
Ahead of what is an incredibly nervy battle between two of England’s most fiercest rivals on Tuesday night, we have taken a glance at the main talking points.
Alonso’s arrival boosts Chelsea
Suffering late FA Cup heartbreak at Wembley on Saturday afternoon as they eventually fell to that 1-0 loss at the hands of Manchester City, many were wondering what Chelsea would show up on their return to west London.
Watching both Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca leave the club this calendar year, the Blues have found themselves at the heart of a public crisis and they have shattered a string of unwanted records.
In fact, opening Tuesday’s fiery derby showdown having remarkably collected just one-point from any of their previous seven consecutive Premier League appearances, they also had a major battle on their hands to book any kind of European adventure for next season.
However, with it shockingly announced just hours before Tuesday’s showdown that former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso had put pen to paper on a deal in SW6, the Spanish tactician saw his soon-to-be new squad claim an essential boost here.
Extending on their remarkable dominant record against Spurs and getting their…
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