Joao Pedro scores his first Chelsea goal in nine games to seal a 1-0 Premier League win against Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Joao Pedro finally ended his Chelsea goal drought by scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory against Tottenham on Saturday.
The Brazilian striker netted late in the first half of the London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It was his first goal in nine games across all competitions since his last strike against Fulham on August 30.
The 24-year-old has scored only three times for the Blues since his 60 million pound move from Brighton in the close-season.
Chelsea’s third win in their last four Premier League matches lifted them into fourth place in the table.
Tottenham remain third in the standings, ahead of Chelsea only on goal difference.
The hosts have not won a Premier League match at home since beating Burnley on the opening weekend of the season in August.
Their poor home league form in 2025 began under previous manager Ange Postecoglou and current boss Thomas Frank has yet to find a solution.
Tottenham have performed much better away from home this season, including an emphatic 3-0 win at Everton in their previous top-flight game.
Home fans showed growing discontent with Frank’s prosaic tactics, which contrast sharply with the club’s traditional ‘to dare is to do’ ethos.
Frank suffered an early injury blow when Lucas Bergvall suffered a head injury and was replaced by concussion substitute Xavi Simons.
Bergvall appeared to plead with Tottenham’s medical staff to stay on the pitch before angrily pushing one of them when they refused.
Alejandro Garnacho posed Chelsea’s main threat in the first half, testing Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from distance.
Vicario went down with a knee injury but continued after treatment and immediately made an important save.
Pedro Porro’s clearance rebounded off Garnacho to Joao Pedro inside the area, but Vicario stood tall to block his low strike.
Joao Pedro made amends for that miss by scoring Chelsea’s opener in the 34th minute.
Moises Caicedo tenaciously harried Simons and Micky van de Ven on the edge of the Tottenham area before winning possession.
Caicedo poked the ball towards Joao Pedro, who lashed it into the roof of the net from six yards out.
Frank showed his fury at Tottenham’s sloppy defending by kicking a water bottle in disgust on the touchline.
Joao Pedro nearly scored again when he took Malo Gusto’s pass and unleashed a powerful effort that Vicario tipped over.
Rodrigo Bentancur was fortunate to receive only a booking for his ugly challenge on Reece James, deemed not serious foul play.
Tottenham finally forced Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez into action just before half-time with a Mohammed Kudus blast.
Enzo Fernandez headed wastefully over from Reece James’ cross soon after the interval when completely unmarked 10 yards from goal.
Frank’s side conceded possession far too easily throughout the match, with their lack of attacking impetus frustrating home supporters.
The fans’ frustration mounted as Vicario had to tip over from Pedro Neto’s fierce strike in the latter stages.
Tottenham never seriously threatened a late equaliser as Chelsea secured all three points. – AFP
