Nicolas Jackson led Chelsea to a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in a frantic game that defied logic, as Mauricio Pochettino marked a happy return to North London.
Spurs’s loss means that the Premier League no longer houses any invincibles this season, with Ange Postecoglou’s team on the losing side for the very first time.
The script could have in no way been predicted when Dejan Kulusevski put the hosts in front after just six minutes. But some feisty aggression coupled with controversial calls provided the glimmer that Chelsea needed.
In a chaotic run of play, Moises Caicedo’s excellent finish appeared to level matters. However, the goal was first ruled out for offside and then brought back for a penalty when VAR flagged Christian Romero’s wild challenge on Enzo Fernandez.
Cole Palmer then squeezed the ball past the excellent Guglielmo Vicario.
Early in the second half, Destiny Udogie – who could have been sent off in the first half – received a second yellow to send Spurs down to nine men.
Even with a two-man advantage, Spurs played with courage while Chelsea looked downtrodden by their inability to take advantage.
However, Chelsea and Nicholas Jackson eventually found a way behind Tottenham’s bizarrely high line.
The Senegalese youngster put his side in the lead on minute 75, but Son Heung Min could have equalised for the hosts halfway through the nine added minutes after Eric Dier had a goal ruled out for offside.
In the dying embers, with the dizzy defence finally looking defeated, Jackson would pounce. Two quick finishes after running in behind produced a 4-1 scoreline that does not even begin to tell the tale.
The result helps Chelsea back into the top half of the table while Spurs remain in second place, one point off champions Manchester City.
Chelsea will host the leaders next while Spurs travel to Molineux to face Wolves.
Pictured above: Nicolas Jackson
Image source: @ChelseaFC
