Chelsea saw off Tottenham in a hotly contested London derby on Sunday afternoon, with a stunning strike from Hakim Ziyech the highlight of the day.
The hosts had the best of a feisty first half, but were fortunate to go in at the break level. Romelu Lukaku should have scored in the first minute but skied his shot after excellent work from the effervescent Mason Mount, before Callum Hudson-Odoi failed to direct a back-post header.
Thiago Silva twice headed over from corners either side of a some smooth footwork followed by a dipping strike from Ziyech, who forced a save from Hugo Lloris.
Spurs had their own opening on the break after a quarter of an hour, but Harry Winks’ weak shot was straight at Kepa.
The first of a number of flash points came just before the 20-minute mark, when Matt Doherty survived a swift VAR review after treading on Malang Sarr’s ankle.
The second arrived shortly before half-time, when Harry Kane’s celebrations were cut short as he was adjudged to have shoved Thiago Silva before finishing from a cross. Replays showed it was a one-handed push, and therefore soft.
Lukaku saw another half-chance quashed by a block, and the two sides went in level the break.
Chelsea finally made their pressure pay two minutes into the second half – and it was a stunning goal too. Ziyech shifted the ball out of his feet on the edge of the area before whipping an absolutely sublime, arching finish into the top right corner.
Two minutes later he was at it again – this time smashing a loose ball towards goal but Lloris was able to push it away.
The Blues were in the ascendancy and Mount saw his own fine effort sail just over the crossbar, before Silva doubled their advantage. The Brazilian met Mount’s free kick with an inch-perfect header into the corner.
Chelsea remained on top throughout the half. Lukaku had his best chance saved as he rolled Davinson Sanchez and bore down on goal, but Lloris was equal to his low shot.
The hosts were almost made to sweat in the dying embers, but Kane’s header was acrobatically tipped away by the flying Kepa.
It ended 2-0 to Chelsea. Here’s how the players rated…
Thiago was heavily involved / James Williamson – AMA/GettyImages
Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) – 7/10 – A safe pair of hands on the rare occasions he was tested. Brilliant save to deny Kane late on, clawing the ball away.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) – 7/10 – Really solid at right-back, and managed to get forward to support the attack.
Thiago Silva (CB) – 8/10 – Booked for a cynical trip as Spurs broke. Went down easily before Kane’s goal was chalked off, which was lucky. Perfect header for 2-0. He loves playing Tottenham.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 7/10 – A real defensive pest as ever. Didn’t give his man an inch all afternoon.
Malang Sarr (LB) – 7/10 – Did really well in an unfamiliar left-back role, dealing with his double-defensive opposite numbers.
Mount was everywhere / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages
Mateo Kovacic (CM) – 7/10 – Unspectacular but got through a lot of important work and broke up Tottenham’s play.
Jorginho (CM) – 7/10 – Intelligently picked up pockets of space to receive the ball and play forward. Excellent tackling too. Subbed.
Mason Mount (AM) – 8/10 – Looked in the mood and like he had a point to prove. Absolutely everywhere, buzzing about with supreme confidence. Free-kick assist for Thiago.
Ziyech scored a stunner / James Williamson – AMA/GettyImages
Hakim Ziyech (RW) – 9/10 – Bright start. Dazzling footwork before testing Lloris. WHAT. A. GOAL. Masterful strike into the top corner, and zinged Lloris’ fingertips again moments later. His best game in a Chelsea shirt.
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 7/10 – Should have scored at least once but this was still a very good centre-forward’s display. Grey in confidence and forced an excellent save after the break.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (LW) – 7/10 – Looked really bright and dangerous throughout in his favoured left-wing slot.
N’Golo Kante (CM) – 7/10 – Shielded the defence expertly and kept Chelsea ticking over.
Marcos Alonso (LWB) – N/A
Saul (CM) – N/A
Dier struggled / JUSTIN TALLIS/GettyImages
Hugo Lloris (GK) – 6/10 – Made some good saves but could do nothing about the goals.
Japhet Tanganga (RB) – 5/10 – Better than his previous visit. Booked when he got too tight to Hudson-Odoi. Lucky not to get a second for holding the same man. Subbed.
Eric Dier (CB) – 4/10 – Loose with the ball under pressure. One of many defenders who should have done better as Chelsea made it two.
Davinson Sanchez (CB) – 5/10 – Given a really physical examination by Lukaku, and eventually was losing out regularly.
Ben Davies (LB) – 5/10 – Didn’t get tight enough to Ziyech as he whipped it home. Didn’t really do anything to help his side.
Winks spurned a half-chance / JUSTIN TALLIS/GettyImages
Matt Doherty (RM) – 4/10 – Survived a VAR check for a red after catching Sarr very late. Should have at least been booked. Not clear what his job was on the right, really.
Harry Winks (CM) – 5/10 – Dangerous early foray forward but shot was weak. Busy-ish but couldn’t really get into the game or affect play. Subbed.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) – 5/10 – Tried to break things up but Spurs lost the midfield battle resoundingly.
Ryan Sessegnon (LM) – 3/10 – Strange selection from Conte – one of four full-backs on the pitch for Spurs. Hit a shot-cross out for a throw-in. That was it
Kane cut a frustrated figure / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages
Steven Bergwijn (ST) – 5/10 – Physicality caused some issues but a bit chaotic and loose.
Harry Kane (ST) – 6/10 – Fed off scraps and forced to drop deep initially. Saw his finish chalked off for a slight push on Thiago. Looked dangerous when he had it, but that was rare.
Lucas Moura (LM) – 5/10 – Did very little of note.
Oliver Skipp (CM) – 6/10 – Tried to make things happen and played forward.
Byran Gil (RM) – N/A
For more from Krishan Davis, follow him on Twitter.
