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CHELSEA has been steadily making an impact in the Premier League this season.
Yet, Sunday’s stunning comeback from a two-goal deficit to secure a 4-3 win against Tottenham has led many to question: Have the Blues entered the title race?
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After a less than stellar debut season at Stamford Bridge, it seems that the £107m acquisition Enzo Fernandez has finally hit his stride under Enzo Maresca.
Our tactical expert Dean Scoggins — from the SunSport YouTube show Tactics Exposed — discusses how Chelsea modified their tactics for another exciting encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
1) The Double Enzo
A TALE of two Enzos unfolded as the Chelsea manager implemented a tactical tweak while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was being treated.
While many speculated that this shift occurred after Romeo Lavia was substituted at halftime, it actually took place when Chelsea fell behind 2-0.
This adjustment saw Blues captain Fernandez drop back into the inside-left position, providing Chelsea with an alternative outlet.
Tottenham wasted several opportunities, notably with Son Heung-min failing to capitalize on the best chances, until Jadon Sancho’s long-range effort reignited hope for the traveling supporters in the 18th minute.
The breakthrough came when goalscorer Fernandez assumed a deeper role, and Chelsea deviated from their typical box formation.
After Malo Gusto replaced Lavia, the Blues transitioned to a back four, enabling Fernandez to collect the ball deeper, working alongside Moises Caicedo.
The Argentine recorded 23 touches — the highest of any player — which allowed him to make more forward passes while facilitating play transitions.
Traditionally the most advanced midfielder, he took on a deeper role to regain possession.
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Chelsea ratings v Tottenham: Chelsea came from two goals down to defeat Spurs 4-3 on their turf
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2) Fernandez’s Brilliant Run for Sancho Goal
DON’T overlook Sancho‘s outstanding goal, but it’s essential to recognize that the Manchester United loanee’s strike was made possible by Fernandez’s smart movement.
This moment unfolded shortly after fellow Argentine Cristian Romero was injured and replaced by Radu Dragosin.
Fernandez initiated the play deep in his own territory after collecting the ball from Sanchez, playing it wide while continuing his forward surge.
He effectively pulled Dragosin away, providing space for Sancho to cut in and strike the ball into the far corner past Fraser Forster.
Although Dragosin’s lack of communication with Pedro Porro was naive, Fernandez’s run was a masterstroke.
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3) Don’t Cry for Me, Argie Screamer!
SIMILAR to Dimitar Berbatov and Teddy Sheringham, Fernandez showcases a remarkable ability to read the game.
Just when everyone appears to be rushing in one direction, he knows exactly when to pause, uncovering space for his spectacular goal.
Tottenham’s primary concern was rightly on limiting Cole Palmer, allowing Fernandez to exploit the opportunity.
The Argentine benefited from a deflected pass from Palmer that arrived perfectly as he patiently awaited his moment.
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4) Palmer, the Best Penalty Taker Ever?
WHO would you trust to score a penalty to save your life? It’s hard to identify a better option than Palmer. In fact, I’d challenge anyone to find a more reliable penalty taker.
The England forward’s Panenka shot earned him a Premier League record with a perfect penalty conversion rate, having scored 12 out of 12.
He surpassed notable players like former Man City star Yaya Toure, as well as Berbatov and Alan Shearer.
And it’s not merely luck — his angle remains consistent across all penalties taken, with only the placement varying.
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5) Colwill’s Solanke Nightmare – Great No9 Performance and Quality Goal
INCREDIBLY, Levi Colwill often boasts the most touches among Chelsea players — but he was eclipsed by Dominic Solanke.
Solanke thrived in spearheading Spurs’ initial offensive drives with his clever off-the-ball movements.
The 27-year-old’s goal-scoring streak highlights his potential as a fitting successor to Harry Kane.
The former Bournemouth striker demonstrated impressive cohesion with Brennan Johnson following a slip by Marc Cucurella.
Solanke initially deceived Colwill with a glance to the left before quickly darting inward, receiving the ball and shooting.
He continually utilized those zig-zag movements throughout the match, potentially scoring again with more precise service from Son.
This aligns perfectly with Ange Postecoglou’s tactics, focusing on through-balls and quick crosses.
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