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Premier League
Aug 20, 2017 at 4pm UK
 
CL

1-2

Batshuayi (82' og.)
FT(HT: 0-1)
Alonso (24', 88')

Live Commentary: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea - as it happened: ID:305243: from db_amp
Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Two goals from Marcos Alonso have earned Chelsea a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Alonso put the Blues ahead with a free kick into the top corner from 25 yards out, but Spurs got back on level terms when Michy Batshuayi headed into his own net.

However, despite Spurs looking the most likely winner, Alonso scored the decisive goal when his shot from an acute angle went under Hugo Lloris and into the net.

Read below to see how the action unfolded at Wembley Stadium.

Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Last season closed with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur doing battle for the Premier League title and the new campaign begins with the London outfits renewing hostilities at the national stadium. Unlike last year, however, it is Spurs who have all of the momentum after their win away at Newcastle United and Chelsea's defeat at home to Burnley but based on performance over the past 12 months, this is the biggest derby in England and anything can happen.
Of all the teams capable of winning the title, only Manchester United hold a 100% record but Spurs can match that this afternoon. Manchester City and Everton have an opportunity to join that list tomorrow night but for now, Spurs are effectively looking to remain on level terms with a United side who are already showing a ruthless streak in front of goal.
As for Chelsea, they simply cannot afford to gift a six-point start to Spurs at the start of this campaign. Those who disagree with that statement will point to the amount of victories which Chelsea managed to record in a row last season but this is a different Premier League now. While they are title holders, the West Londoners are no longer regarded as top dogs in England and while Antonio Conte would probably take a draw, the Italian arguably needs all three points.
Anyway, enough of my rambling for now, let's take a look at the two teams, starting with the designated home team.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Tripper, Wanyama, Dembele, Davies, Eriksen, Alli, Kane
CHELSEA XI: Courtois, Rudiger, Luiz, Christiansen, Azpilicueta, Bakayoko, Kante, Alonso, Moses, Willian, Morata
First of all, let's take a look at Spurs who hand starts to both Kieran Tripper and Victor Wanyama. The pair had been struggling with injury and fitness respectively, but they are recalled to replace Kyle Walter-Peters and Moussa Sissoko.
As for Chelsea, Conte is forced into numerous changes. The absence of Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas through suspension leaves Andreas Christensen and Victor Moses coming into the side, while Alvaro Morata replaces Michy Batshuayi in attack. There is also a debut in midfield for Tiemoue Bakayoko, who replaces Jeremie Boga.
HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents the 159th competitive meeting between the two clubs, with Chelsea claiming 67 wins in comparison to 51 victories for Spurs. At one stage, Chelsea dominated matches between the sides but more recently, Spurs have responded with two wins and two draws from their last five league showdowns.
RESULT! The full-time whistle has gone at the John Smith's Stadium and Huddersfield Town have become the third team to maintain their 100% record in the Premier League with a 1-0 win against Newcastle United. Click here to read our on-the-whistle report.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Vorm, Walker-Peters, Wimmer, Winks, Sissoko, Son, Janssen
CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Tomori, Scott, Kenedy, Musonda, Pedro, Batshuayi
We won't go into too much depth with the benches but from Chelsea's perspective, you have to wonder whether they will have to make further changes later in the match. Bakayoko may not be fit enough to last the 90 mintues and there is a distinct lack of options to replace him. We are yet to see whether David Luiz features in defence or midfield, but expect to see the Brazilian in the centre of the park at some stage.
PREDICTION! Many have tipped Spurs to struggle at Wembley and Chelsea hold a victory over the North Londoners back in April. However, Mauricio Pochettino's side are effectively at full-strength whereas Chelsea are not, and we think the home team will grind out a 2-1 win.
Like with Huddersfield earlier, supporters are still queuing outside but the players are ready to make their way out to a sea of flags and cheers from both sets of supporters. It feels like a final, but it's not. It's a regular league fixture and that is something which Spurs are going to have to get used to.
It appears that Luiz is going to feature in a five-man midfield. That doesn't come as a huge surprise but Chelsea have full-back Azpilicueta, youngster Christensen and new signing Rudiger at the back. It's not ideal.
Chelsea get us underway.
The visitors have started fast, but it takes an interception from Luiz to prevent Spurs from creating the first chance for Eriksen.
CHANCE! Morata has missed a sitter. An absolute sitter. Azpilicueta's cross is sublime and finds Morata all on his own from eight yards out, but his free header goes wide. Conte is furious.
It has been an impressive start from Chelsea but that Morata could prove crucial. It has gifted Spurs the momentum and they are now making all of the running. This is shaping up into an entertaining match.
CHANCE! Courtois wasn't at his best last weekend, and he almost makes another blunder here. Kane's well-struck shot is straight at the Belgian, but the ball runs free to safety after he fails to claim it.
Lloris is extremely fortunate here. Lloris takes too long with his clearance and then proceeds to strike the ball straight at Morata. Luckily, the French stopper is able to beat the Chelsea forward to pick up the ball.
CHANCE! Christensen fails to deal with a long ball and Alli is lurking behind him. However, it is an acute angle and the England international's volley goes high over the bar.
The back-and-forth nature to this game has now subsided and we have two teams who are focusing more on the tactical element of the game. Spurs are much more in the game and are beginning to control possession.
SHOT! He doesn't score many, but Dembele lets fly with an howitzer of an effort from 25 yards out with Courtois doing just enough to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Luiz wins a free kick around 25 yards from goal. Alli caught his trailing leg. It's in the Brazilian's territory...
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Chelsea (Alonso)
Pick that one out! It's Alonso who steps up to take the set piece and he curls a left-footed strike into the top corner of Lloris' net. The French goalkeeper had no chance.
CHANCE! It has been a positive response from Spurs, but Alderweireld can only head wide after meeting a corner.
CHANCES! Kane is always a threat in and around the penalty area but he fails to convert with two chances in the space of 60 seconds. Firstly, he got the better of Rudiger before Courtois came to the rescue with an instinctive save to his right, before Kane eventually retrieved the ball and sent a low strike wide of the far post from 20 yards.
BOOKING! Rudiger goes into the book, I think for kicking the ball away.
BOOKING! Dier follows Rudiger into the book for a lunge on Luiz. The Spurs defender complains, but I'm not sure he should be doing. Definite yellow.
Chelsea are beginning to pick up a few knocks, which they don't need considering their injury situation. Both Luiz and Bakayoko have required treatment over the past few minutes.
BOOKING! Another easy booking for the referee. Luiz attempts a reverse clothesline on Eriksen as the Dane attempted to move into the penalty area off the ball.
How has this not gone in? Eriksen's free kick is pin-point perfect but it evades absolutely everyone. I have no idea how. Courtois couldn't do a thing, aside from watch the ball miss the far post by a yard.
WOODWORK! When will Kane score a Premier League goal in August? He can't come much closer. After receiving the ball from Alli, he cuts inside onto his right foot before lashing a shot against the far post. Courtois was beaten.
SHOT! Spurs are finishing this half strongly. It's Davies's turn to get a shot on goal, and his deflected strike brings a diving save out of Courtois. Chelsea need the break.
There will be three minutes of added-on time.
What a block from Luiz. Vertonghen crosses from the byline and Dier will score from close range if Luiz doesn't deflect it over the crossbar. The referee gives a goal kick...
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Chelsea
The half-time whistle goes at Wembley and Chelsea still lead thanks to that wonderful set piece from Alonso. Both sides have had plenty of joy in the respective final thirds but for now, the Spaniard's goal is the difference.
Spurs get us back underway.
The home side have picked up exactly where they left off. They have already had a couple of corners, and Kane has had a header blocked when it could have been heading for the back of the net.
Chelsea are yet to get out of their own half since the restart. It's very much one-way traffic. I'm not sure how the Blues keep a clean sheet. It is relentless from Spurs.
BOOKING! Vertonghen is unfortunate that he is partially shoved by Willian, but he could easily be sent off for a crude challenge on Moses. His foot made connection with just below the Chelsea's wing-back's knee.
Chelsea have had a bit more joy over the past few minutes. Luiz has put in a couple of excellent tackles in midfield. It will be interesting to see how Conte acts this half because as we mentioned earlier, Bakayoko has only had 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
We haven't seen a whole lot of Morata in this game. In all fairness, the Spaniard has been left to do a lot of chasing but aside from that sitter he missed in the fifth minute, he hasn't contributed.
Pedro would be the perfect introduction for Morata, in my opinion, but the forward is starting to get involved in defensive areas. He has just leaped to make a magnificent header from a Spurs free kick.
The chances are starting to dry up, but the game is no less intriguing. These are two top teams and a lot of thought is going into nullifying the other. Still no changes from either head coach.
SUBSTITUTION! Now we do. Son Heung-min is on for Dier, which sees Spurs go to a back four.
CHANCE! Willian does terrifically to break clear from the Spurs defence and play in Morata. The summer signing wants too much time but he still sends a deflected effort just wide of Lloris's post.
SHOT! This is the most sustained pressure Chelsea have inflicted all match. Moses is allowed to run into the penalty area but his shot just clears the bar at the near post.
WOODWORK! So unlucky from Willian. The Brazilian takes his time on the edge of the area before driving a low shot off the base of the post from 20 yards out.
There is still another goal in this. It has been all Spurs over the past few minutes but the Blues are putting in so many defensive blocks.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Two changes for Chelsea, with Pedro and Michy Batshuayi replacing Willian and Morata.
SUBSTITUTION! A second alteration from Spurs as Moussa Sissoko replaces Davies. Just the 10 minutes to go.
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Chelsea (Batshuayi own goal)
Disaster for Batshuayi. Eriksen's cross is a good one and instead of finding Alderweireld who is all on his own from six yards out, Batshuayi glances in at the near post.
If there is going to be a winner in this match, it will be Spurs. They are rampant now and Chelsea have aeveryone back in defensive areas. Another fine free kick from Eriksen is well defended by Azpilicueta.
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea (Alonso)
Well, maybe not! Chelsea score a second and it's Alonso again! Luiz wins the ball in the middle and after Pedro sets up Alonso, the left-back drills the ball under Lloris, who should do a lot better.
There will be four minutes of added-on time.
SUBSTITUTION! Spurs throw on Vincent Janssen for Tripper.
FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea
The full-time whistle goes at Wembley Stadium and Chelsea have held on for a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. The home side probably deserved at least a point, but Alonso's double has earned Chelsea a much-needed victory.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope that you can stick around for the La Liga fixtures involving Barcelona and Real Madrid, which are coming right up. Goodbye for now.

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