Joao Pedro ended a 10-match goal drought to fire Chelsea to a deserved 1-0 victory over Tottenham, leaving the hosts booed off after another lifeless display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Brazilian forward, who has battled for both fitness and form in recent weeks, capitalised on a defensive error midway through the first half — coolly chipping home after Moises Caicedo’s relentless pressing forced Micky van de Ven into a costly mistake inside his own penalty area.
Pedro could have had a hat-trick before the break, denied twice by Guglielmo Vicario — the Spurs goalkeeper saving superbly low to his right before tipping away a well-struck volley.
Tottenham, meanwhile, offered little in attack and managed just three shots all game. Mohamed Kudus went closest, firing over from distance before finally forcing Robert Sánchez into a save in first-half stoppage time.
Chelsea wasted several chances to make the scoreline more comfortable, with Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández both missing good opportunities, while Vicario once again thwarted Pedro and substitute Jamie Gittens blazed over late on.
The win lifts Enzo Maresca’s side to fourth in the Premier League, level on 17 points with Spurs but trailing their London rivals on goal difference.
Tottenham’s poor home form continues to haunt them — they have now won just three of their past 19 matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, spanning the reigns of Ange Postecoglou and current boss Thomas Frank.
