Spot-on Palmer pulls off comeback for Chelsea in seven-goal thriller against Spurs | first division

It was Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham in microcosm. A couple of steps forward; more in the opposite direction. Where he left the manager was the biggest question as Chelsea recovered from 2-0 down to win once again, moving up to second place in the standings. first division table.

They are ahead of Arsenal and just four points behind Liverpool, although the leaders have a game in hand. It is increasingly difficult to believe director Enzo Maresca when he says that Chelsea They are not contenders for the title. They had so many good things here. Above all, they had Cole Palmer.

The television cameras cut to Spurs president Daniel Levy with about 15 minutes left, inviting everyone to wonder what he will do with Postecoglou, who had said two weeks ago that he would be in trouble if his team It was still in the middle of the table at Christmas. They only have two games left to play before then: at Southampton and at home against Liverpool.

It's not just that they're 11 now.^th. One of the main takeaways was how little faith they showed, even if they scored a late goal to make it 4-3 for Son Heung-min. By then it was all over.

Security is not a problem for Chelsea. Or Palmero. He had already tied 2-2 from the penalty spot when he mesmerized Destiny Udogie and three other Spurs defenders on the right before sending a cross that deflected and found Enzo Fernandez, who attacked Chelsea in front.

It seemed like the Spurs had grown tired of Palmer and gotten distracted. It was the only explanation as to why Pape Sarr burst into his back on the right side of the area. It was another clear penalty. Palmer performed a bold Panenka; the definitive snapshot of Chelsea's supremacy.

After everything that happened between Postecoglou and the Spurs traveling support in Bournemouth last ThursdayIt was significant to see the coach applauding the south stand for a long time before kick-off. Friends again? So it was after 11 minutes, and the Spurs began the dream. It never seemed to last.

The first exchanges had been a nightmare for Chelsea and especially for Marc Cucurella, who lost his balance twice, with devastating consequences. The first was the real howler, Cucurella trying to take advantage of a square pass from Levi Colwill and feeling no grip on his cleats. Brennan Johnson robbed him and ran down the right to cross, but gave credit to Dominic Solanke, whose movement into the box was too sharp for Colwill. The shot in the first half was lethal.

Maresca couldn't believe his players' mistakes at first, although they looked threatening as they moved up the field. That's how it was at all times. It was deja vu when Cucurella slipped again and Spurs regained possession, Dejan Kulusevski skating from right to left, along the edge of the area, before firing a low shot inside the near post. It was the reason for Cucurella to run and change his shoes.

Chelsea never panicked. They never lost the feeling that it would be enough for them to return. The first half was wild, from start to finish, very open and it was no surprise when Chelsea scored. Spurs were boosted by the returns of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven from injuries; This last one was the surprise. Romero didn't last long. He appeared to feel something in his thigh in the eighth minute after ripping off a high-risk back heel inside his own area and found he could not continue.

Radu Dragusin came on and was one of the Spurs defenders who couldn't get to the excellent Jadon Sancho as the Chelsea winger cut inside from the left. Sancho's low shot was a beauty, nailed into the far corner. Van de Ven would be sent off before the end, and another injury was added to the insults.

There was controversy before half-time and we're not talking about the South players throwing ruined pieces of tifo cardboard at Chelsea corner plunderers, including Palmer. They were told to do it at half-time, which was a little late. Maybe Palmer took it personally.

Moisés Caicedo was a lucky boy when he followed Sarr's lower shin hard. Anthony Taylor missed the flashpoint and VAR Jarred Gillett ruled that there was no serious foul play and therefore no red card. Kulusevski would also get away with an elbow on Roméo Lavia. Once again, there was no action.

Chelsea, fast and enterprising in possession, had chances to tie before the break, the big one was created by Fernández for Palmer; Incredibly, he missed his kick from close range. Pedro Neto extended Fraser Forster after dodging and hitting low into the near corner.

The Spurs also had their chances in the first half. Son nestled just past the top far corner; Sarr headed the crossbar after a Son corner; Solanke was unable to finish off a low cross from Son.

Maresca made a change for the second half, Malo Gusto came in at right back and Caicedo in midfield full time. Until then he had only been there in possession of the ball. Lavia broke through. It was to shore up Son's threat.

Chelsea advanced. They could sense the vulnerability of the Spurs as a defensive entity. Everyone could. Probably even Postecoglou. After the resumption, traffic was one-way. Sancho pulled off an excellent save from Forster. Fernández shot wide.

The Spurs lost Johnson to a muscle injury and it was clear that a tie was approaching. Postecoglou's team was nervous. The stadium was a sea of ​​anxiety. When the 2-2 goal came, it was due to a torrent of blood from Yves Bissouma. He had initially lost the ball on the Spurs left and when Sancho, back on the other side, got it to Caicedo, Bissouma jumped to bring him down. Spurs substitute Timo Werner had his head in his hands before the penalty was awarded.

The outcome was never in doubt with Palmer. He was outstanding in the second half and there was much more to come from him. Son and Van de Ven were close to 2-2, but the result was inevitable.