Dele Alli scored his first Premier League double since January 2017, which was also against Chelsea
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino praised "fighter" Dele Alli for coming through a "tough period" to score two goals as Spurs won at Chelsea for the first time in 28 years.
After Alvaro Morata headed in Victor Moses' cross to give the hosts the lead, Christian Eriksen hit a stunning equaliser on the stroke of half-time as his dipping effort from 25 yards dropped just under the bar and over a stranded Willy Caballero.
Chelsea 1-3 Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino 'very happy' for Spurs fans after Chelsea win
Alli then took centre stage in the second half, putting Tottenham ahead just after the hour mark when he produced a sublime first touch to bring Eric Dier's ball under control before slotting beyond Caballero.
The England midfielder was well-placed four minutes later to stab in following a goalmouth scramble and wrap up a win that moves fourth-placed Tottenham eight points clear of Chelsea, who are fifth.
It was also the perfect response by Alli after a disappointing couple of weeks with England on international duty.
He failed to make an impact in a 22-minute substitute appearance in the 1-0 win against the Netherlands and was then left on the bench for the 1-1 draw with Italy.
"I'm very, very pleased," said Pochettino. "It's been a tough period for him, but for no doubt about his talent, his character. He's a fighter; very competitive.
"If he doesn't play for the international team he needs to fight and win trust and confidence again.
"In the end, he's a great talent, only 21 years old, and sometimes we lose the focus on that.
"Sometimes the expectation is too much. There is too much pressure."
Top four taking shape as Chelsea's troubled 2018 continues
Tottenham winning at Chelsea in 1990
Several of the Tottenham players, including match-winner Alli, were not even born the last time Spurs won at Stamford Bridge in the league
Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso described this London derby as a 'must-win game' beforehand and it was hard to disagree, given the consequences for Champions League qualification.
Antonio Conte's side had won just three of their nine league games in 2018 prior to Tottenham's visit but they did have history in their favour.
Spurs had a torrid record at Stamford Bridge in the league, losing 18 of their 27 games since a late Gary Lineker header secured a 2-1 win in February 1990.
It looked as if their miserable run would continue as, despite dominating possession, they fell behind after an excellent ball by Antonio Rudiger found Moses wide right and the wing-back delivered a perfect cross for Morata to score his seventh headed goal of the season
0 Comments