In the English Premier League, Tottenham and Chelsea face off on Sunday, December 8. These two London clubs, being city neighbors, have a long-standing rivalry dating back to 1967. This week, they compete for three points in the Premier League, England’s domestic league. Read all about this match in this article.
Tottenham vs. Chelsea
The first meeting between these two teams dates back to 1909, but Tottenham and Chelsea fans didn’t immediately see each other as rivals. The rivalry became evident during the 1967 FA Cup Final, which was the first-ever cup final between two London teams. Tottenham won that final 2–1.
The “Battle of the Bridge” is perhaps the most famous encounter between these two sides to date. On May 2, 2016, Tottenham was in second place in the Premier League, with Leicester City at the top. Tottenham needed to win this match to stay in the title race. The Spurs led by two goals before halftime, but Chelsea made a full comeback in the second half. The match ended in a draw, securing the title for Leicester City.
In total, Tottenham and Chelsea have faced each other 177 times, with Chelsea winning 79 games and Tottenham 55. Chelsea has the statistical advantage, but every match is different, and perhaps the Spurs can capitalize on their home advantage this time.
Tottenham
The Hotspur Football Club was founded in 1882 by students led by Bobby Buckle. A few years later, the club changed its name to Tottenham Hotspur to distinguish itself from London Hotspur. Under their most successful manager, Bill Nicholson, Tottenham won the double in 1961, the FA Cup in 1962, and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963. However, it’s been since 2008 that the Spurs last won a trophy.
Whether they can compete for the Premier League title this year remains to be seen. Tottenham is currently in 8th place, with 20 points after 13 matches. While this is respectable mid-table positioning, it’s not enough to reach the top spots. A win against Chelsea would be very welcome. Tottenham is also competing in the Europa League this year and is just outside the top 8 in that competition.
Brennan Johnson has been Tottenham’s top scorer this season, netting 10 goals in 20 matches. He is followed by Dominic Solanke with 6 goals, James Maddison with 5, and Heung-min Son with 4. The team is coached by Greek-Australian Ange Postecoglou, who won the Premier League Manager of the Month award in his very first month. His start at Tottenham has been promising, but the team is still seeking success.
Chelsea
Chelsea was founded in 1905 by Gus Mears, who converted the Stamford Bridge stadium from an athletics venue into a football ground. This London club achieved major success in the 1950s, but its golden era came in the 1990s and 2000s. With legendary managers like José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea secured numerous trophies, including several Premier League titles, FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League.
Chelsea is currently on a good run. They have lost only 2 of their 14 matches and have won their last 3 games. Only Liverpool has a better record, having lost just one match and secured victories in 11 out of 14 games. As a result, Liverpool has 7 points more than Chelsea and Arsenal, who are tied on points.
Chelsea’s most recent game was a commanding 1–5 victory against Southampton. The scorers included the team’s top strikers this season: Cole Palmer, who has 9 goals this year; Christopher Nkunku, who has netted 12; and Noni Madueke, with 6 goals. Nicolas Jackson, who has 8 goals this season, did not score in this match. Chelsea’s coach is Enzo Maresca, appointed this summer following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure. Maresca led Leicester City to the Championship title last season.
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