Chelsea 1-3 Tottenham: Pochettino’s side closing in on Champions League qualification

Tottenham Hotspur took a huge step towards qualification for next season’s Champions League with a come-from-behind 3-1 win at rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

After a tight opening 30 minutes in which the home side that had created the better chances it was Antonio Conte’s side who did indeed take the lead when Hugo Lloris misjudged Victor Moses’ cross to gift Alvaro Morata an open goal to head in from close range.

The defending Premier League champions had started the day in fifth; five points behind Tottenham Hotspur directly above them in the final Champions League qualifying place.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side would find themselves level at the break when Christian Eriksen produced a bolt out of the blue with a swerving 30-yard strike that deceived goalkeeper Willy Cabellero and flew into the net.

That seemed to be the momentum change that Spurs needed as they came out the better side at the start of the second half.  A five-minute spell just after the hour turned the game around completely as Dele Alli would score twice, the first from close range after a deft touch moved the ball away from two defenders to create space from close range.

A couple of defensive changes from the manager helped Tottenham see the game out with Chelsea creating relatively few good opportunities in the final quarter of the game.

The result leaves Chelsea eight points outside of the relegation zone with only seven games to go.  The only chance they have of silverware this season is the FA Cup where they face Southampton in the semi-finals later this month.  Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United in the other tie.