Enzo Fernandez scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season to hand Chelsea a narrow 1-0 win over London rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
The Argentine's 50th minute header restored Chelsea's place inside the Premier League top four, moving a point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, who won 2-0 over Leicester on Wednesday.
Moises Caicedo thought he had doubled Chelsea's lead in sensational fashion midway through the second half, but his stunning volley was chalked off following a lengthy VAR review after Levi Colwill was found to be in an offside position.
Spurs substitute Pape Matar Sarr also found the back of Robert Sanchez's net with a speculative strike from distance, but referee Craig Pawson penalised the midfielder for a foul on Caicedo after a second look at the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Tottenham remained rooted in 14th place after the disappointing defeat at Stamford Bridge, three points behind Manchester United above them.
Mail Sport's AADAM PATEL was at Stamford Bridge on the night to assess the players' performances in the London derby.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Robert Sanchez 6
Was spared his blushes when Pape Sarr’s goal was controversially disallowed. The most relieved man inside Stamford Bridge. Then made a superb save late on to deny Son.
Malo Gusto 7.5
Preferred ahead of Reece James and was brilliant, keeping Son quiet for most of the evening. Came close to scoring too but his effort went into the side-netting.
Trevoh Chalobah 6.5
Played a brilliant long ball to Nicolas Jackson in the first minute and was defensively sound, though survived a handball shout in the second half.
Levi Colwill 6.5
Did well alongside Chalobah as Chelsea kept a clean sheet but was the reason why Caicedo’s brilliant volley was disallowed as he was marginally offside.
Marc Cucurella 7
A typically reliable display, up and down the left flank. Made sure he had the right boots on after his horror show last time against Spurs.
Moises Caicedo 7
Took an early blow but fought through it and scored a brilliant volley, only for it to be ruled out by VAR. Perhaps lucky to be awarded the foul for Sarr’s disallowed goal though.
Enzo Fernandez 7.5
Was comfortable in possession and timed his run to perfection for the opening goal with a bullet header. The match-winner.
Pedro Neto 6
Like Jadon Sancho, had some decent moments with the ball but needs to offer more in the final third.
Cole Palmer 8
Back from injury and looked refreshed, constantly getting on the ball and posing a threat. Played a lovely ball too to get the assist for Fernandez’s goal and was a class apart.
Jadon Sancho 6
Told by Enzo Maresca that he needed more goal invovlements and was denied by a brilliant stop from Vicario. Struggled to get the better of Spence and was replaced for Noni Madueke.
Nicolas Jackson 6.5
Another player back from injury and he bullied the Spurs defenders throughout but lacked that composure in front of goal, missing an early chance then blazing over.
Substitutes
Noni Madueke 6
Returned from injury and replaced Sancho in the 68th minute.
Reece James N/A
On for Jackson in the 82nd minute.
Tosin Adarabioyo N/A
Replaced Palmer in added time.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall N/A
Came on for Fernandez in injury time.
Tottenham (4-3-3)
Guglielmo Vicario 6
Had a very shaky start, with some questionable distribution but made some good saves to keep Spurs in the game. Could do nothing to keep out Fernandez’s goal.
Djed Spence 6.5
Was very impressive down the right hand side and made it difficult for Sancho to have any real influence on the game. A rare positive for Spurs.
Cristian Romero 5.5
Struggled with the highline initially and was booked for shoving Colwill in the first half, which sparked a melee between both sets of players. Improved in the second-half.
Micky van de Ven 5.5
Returned from injury and was instantly involved, with his attempted clearance going off Jackson and crashing into the post. In no man’s land for Chelsea’s goal.
Destiny Udogie 5
Very sloppy and failed to track Fernandez’s run for the goal. Failed to link up at all with Son down the left flank too. A poor evening for the 22-year-old
Rodrigo Bentancur 6
Another one who battled well defensively but hardly offered anything going forward, with Chelsea’s midfield so much more cohesive.
Lucas Bergvall 6
Battled but failed to really have any real say on the contest and was replaced for Pape Sarr just after the hour mark.
James Maddison 5.5
Back in the starting eleven and part of a Spurs midfield trio that simply couldn’t cope with Chelsea’s relentless pressure. Arguably should have been taken off instead of Bergvall.
Wilson Odobert 5.5
A bit of a nothing performance and replaced by Brennan Johnson in the 64th minute, who asked so much more questions of Chelsea.
Son Heung-min 6
Back in the starting eleven and largely quiet until his golden opportunity late on, when he was denied by a brilliant stop from Sanchez.
Dominic Solanke 6
Just the 21 touches across 90 minutes but in fairness, he had minimal service all evening.
Substitutes
Brennan Johnson 6.5
Replaced Odobert in the 64th minute.
Pape Matar Sarr 6
Came on for Bergvall and so unlucky not to get the leveller.
Pedro Porro N/A
Came on in the 88th minute for Van de Ven.
Mathys Tel N/A
Replaced Maddison in the 88th minute.