Chelsea Player Ratings vs Tottenham: Cole Palmer, You Are Magic! Stunning Assist for Enzo Fernandez Sees Blues Past Spurs in Fiery London Derby
In a thrilling London derby at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC delivered an impressive performance, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in an electrifying contest. The match showcased Chelsea’s resilience and attacking flair, with young winger Cole Palmer stealing the limelight with a dazzling assist for Enzo Fernandez, whose strike proved to be the match-winner. The game, which was filled with drama, intensity, and a few fiery moments, saw Chelsea rise above their rivals to secure all three points. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how each Chelsea player performed in this pulsating encounter.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (6/10)
Kepa had a relatively quiet game between the posts but was called into action on a few occasions. His reflexes were sharp, particularly during Spurs’ attempts to break through Chelsea’s defense in the second half. He was well-positioned to make routine saves but was unlucky to concede a goal from a set-piece situation. Nevertheless, his overall performance was solid, even if he wasn’t heavily tested. He managed the game well with his distribution and ensured that Chelsea’s defense stayed organized.
Reece James (7/10)
Chelsea’s captain for the night, Reece James, was solid defensively and offered his usual threat going forward. His strength and pace were on display as he dealt with the Spurs’ wingers and strikers, often coming out on top in one-on-one duels. Going forward, James was a constant outlet, providing width and crossing the ball into dangerous areas. His leadership was also evident as he marshaled the defense during crucial moments, especially when Tottenham pressed for an equalizer. He could have done more in terms of delivering an end product from his crosses but still played an important role in maintaining Chelsea’s balance between defense and attack.
Thiago Silva (8/10)
The evergreen Thiago Silva once again demonstrated why he is one of the best center-backs in the Premier League, regardless of his age. His reading of the game was superb, and he was the rock in Chelsea’s defense. Silva made several crucial interceptions and blocks to keep Tottenham’s attackers at bay. His leadership at the back ensured Chelsea were well-organized even during Spurs’ moments of pressure. Silva’s composure and experience were invaluable in this derby, and his solid performance was instrumental in Chelsea securing the win.
Levi Colwill (7/10)
Alongside Silva, Levi Colwill showed his growing maturity in defense. The young Englishman was calm and composed in possession, and his defensive attributes were on full display. Colwill handled Tottenham’s dangerous attackers, including Son Heung-min and James Maddison, well, often getting his tackles and interceptions in at the right moment. His positioning was intelligent, and he seemed unfazed by the high intensity of the derby. Though still learning, Colwill is growing into his role as a central defender and proved to be a dependable figure in this encounter.
Marc Cucurella (5/10)
It was a mixed bag for Marc Cucurella at left-back. While defensively he was solid for the most part, his offensive contributions were lacking. Cucurella struggled to overlap and link up with Raheem Sterling, who was stationed on the left wing, and often hesitated to deliver the final ball into the box. Defensively, he was caught out of position on occasion, allowing Spurs to attack down his flank, though his defensive duties were generally handled adequately. Cucurella will need to improve his attacking output if he is to become a more reliable option for Chelsea.
Moises Caicedo (7/10)
Moises Caicedo was a solid presence in Chelsea’s midfield. The Ecuadorian made several key tackles and interceptions to break up Tottenham’s attacks, especially in the first half when Spurs were looking to control the tempo of the game. Caicedo’s energy and ball-winning ability were pivotal in limiting Tottenham’s offensive output. Although he wasn’t as influential in the final third, his disciplined and intelligent performance ensured that Chelsea remained strong in midfield, disrupting Spurs’ rhythm and giving Chelsea’s attacking players the freedom to express themselves.
Enzo Fernandez (8/10)
What a performance from Enzo Fernandez, who once again proved to be one of Chelsea’s most important players in the midfield. The Argentine was dynamic, creating opportunities, winning the ball back, and controlling the tempo of the game. His ability to dictate play from deep was evident throughout, but it was his stunning strike that stole the headlines. Fernandez’s well-taken goal, assisted by Cole Palmer, gave Chelsea the lead and was a demonstration of his growing influence in the side. His vision and passing range continue to impress, and he remains one of Chelsea’s key assets moving forward.
Conor Gallagher (6/10)
Conor Gallagher was energetic and industrious in midfield, but his final ball and decision-making were inconsistent. Gallagher worked tirelessly off the ball, pressing Spurs’ midfielders and attempting to disrupt their attacks. However, in the attacking third, his final product often let him down, as he was unable to provide the same level of creativity as some of his teammates. Despite this, Gallagher’s tenacity and work rate were important in the high-pressing game Chelsea played, and he was crucial in ensuring Spurs could not settle on the ball in key moments.
Raheem Sterling (7/10)
Raheem Sterling was a constant threat on the left wing, using his pace and dribbling skills to stretch Tottenham’s defense. While his end product at times wasn’t perfect, Sterling’s directness and ability to carry the ball forward helped Chelsea break down Spurs’ defensive lines. He linked up well with Marc Cucurella on the left and was involved in several dangerous moments, including the buildup to the second goal. Sterling’s movement and ability to make runs behind the defense kept Spurs on edge, and although he didn’t score, his contributions were vital to the overall win.
Cole Palmer (9/10)
Cole Palmer was absolutely sensational in this match and is fast becoming one of Chelsea’s most exciting young talents. His assist for Enzo Fernandez’s goal was nothing short of magic, with Palmer dancing around Tottenham’s defenders before providing a perfectly weighted pass for Fernandez to finish with aplomb. Palmer’s vision, dribbling, and creativity were key to Chelsea’s success in this match. Beyond the assist, he was a constant threat on the right wing, cutting inside with ease and providing numerous dangerous moments for Spurs to deal with. The 21-year-old’s performance was arguably the standout of the match and solidified his growing importance within this Chelsea team.
Nicholas Jackson (6/10)
Nicholas Jackson worked tirelessly upfront, but like Gallagher, his finishing was somewhat erratic. Jackson made intelligent runs and stretched Tottenham’s defense with his pace, but he lacked the clinical edge that is expected at the highest level. Despite his occasional lack of composure in front of goal, Jackson’s movement and link-up play were positive, as he provided space for his teammates to attack. His hold-up play was decent, but he will need to be more ruthless when opportunities arise if he is to establish himself as Chelsea’s main striker.
Substitutes:
Mudryk (7/10) – Mykhailo Mudryk injected some pace and flair into Chelsea’s attack when he came on, creating several dangerous situations with his direct running and technical ability.
Chukwuemeka (6/10) – Came on to add some energy to the midfield and contribute defensively, but had limited time to make a significant impact.
Conclusion:
Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham was a testament to their tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and the emerging talents within the squad. Cole Palmer, with his magic assist for Enzo Fernandez, was undoubtedly the star of the show, but Chelsea’s overall performance was a collective effort that saw them overcome a resilient Spurs side. The midfield battle was well-contested, with Fernandez and Caicedo controlling much of the play, while Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill ensured defensive solidity at the back.
With this win, Chelsea have shown they have the tools to challenge at the top end of the Premier League, and their young players are starting to make their mark. This performance, coupled with the electric atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, provides hope that the Blues are building something special under Mauricio Pochettino.
