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Brilliant Chelsea Shatter Tottenham’s Top-Four Hopes
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Chelsea delivered a hammer blow to Tottenham’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with a 2-0 win against their spluttering London rivals on Thursday.
Trevoh Chalobah’s first goal since March 2022 put Chelsea ahead in the first half at Stamford Bridge.
The much-maligned Nicolas Jackson wrapped up the points in the closing stages with his 14th goal of a difficult first season with the Blues.
After losses to Arsenal and Newcastle, fifth-placed Tottenham’s third successive defeat leaves them seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Tottenham have four games left, while Villa have three to go, making the north Londoners rank outsiders to finish in the Premier League’s top four.
It was another painful setback for Tottenham, who have squandered the good will built by Postecoglou for much of the Australian’s first season in charge.
While Postecoglou licks his wounds, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino enjoyed a second win over his former club this season following the 4-1 success in November.
Pochettino had irritated Chelsea fans by admitting he couldn’t “hide his emotions” for the club he managed for five years and led to the 2019 Champions League final.
But he put those feelings aside to provide the result they wanted, keeping alive eighth-placed Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for Europe and making it just one defeat in 34 home league games against Tottenham.
Postecoglou had criticised Tottenham’s sloppy performance in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat against Arsenal and responded by making five changes, with Richarlison brought in and James Maddison dropped.
But in Pochettino’s 400th match in English football, the Chelsea manager should have been celebrating a goal inside five minutes.
Jackson sprinted into the Tottenham area for a shot that went under Guglielmo Vicario but lacked the power to beat Mickey van de Ven’s clearance off the line, with Cole Palmer somehow scooping the loose ball over from close range.
Moments later, Chelsea winger Noni Madueke embarked on a dynamic run before firing just over from the edge of the area.
Four of the five goals conceded by Tottenham in their previous two games had come from set-pieces and they were punished for more woeful dead-ball marking in the 24th minute.
Conor Gallagher’s free-kick looped into the area and Chalobah was left unmarked to power a superb header over Vicario from 12 yards.
That made it 22 goals conceded from set plays in league games by Postecoglou’s creaky defence this term.
Tottenham claimed Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella had blocked Brennan Johnson from marking Chalobah, but VAR ignored their protests.
Mykhailo Mudryk’s deflected strike was held by Vicario before the Ukraine winger curled narrowly wide as Chelsea pushed for a second goal.
Undone by their set-piece frailties, Tottenham almost took advantage of Chelsea’s defensive deficiencies with a Cristian Romero header that clipped the post from Pedro Porro’s free-kick.
Postecoglou looked increasingly irate by the half-time whistle and his chastened players responded to their manager’s frustration with a more lively second-half display.
Porro’s drive from a tight angle forced Djordje Petrovic to save in Tottenham’s most threatening moment.
But Chelsea landed the knockout punch in the 72nd minute.
Palmer’s fierce free-kick cannoned down off the bar towards Jackson, who reacted quickest to head home from six yards.
AFP
Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
According to The Athletic, a move for Tzolis would not impact the Gunners’ interest in Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers or an alternative target.
The club’s sporting director, Andrea Bertea, continues to work in the market to strengthen their attack.
Sources believe a deal for Tzolis could be possible for around €40million.
The 24-year-old scored 43 goals for Club Brugge across two seasons, having found the net 23 times for Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2. Bundesliga in 2023-24.
Arsenal are looking to bring in a new left winger, and have inquired about Juventus’ 21-year-old Turkey international Kenan Yildiz.
Ghana have suffered a major setback ahead of their opening match at the 2026 World Cup after midfielder Thomas Partey was reportedly denied entry into Canada.
Partey will be unavailable to play in Ghana opening match against Panama in Canada on June 17, access denied.
The Black Stars are scheduled to face Panama on Wednesday in their first Group game at the BMO Field in Toronto.
However, Partey will not be available for the encounter after being unable to travel to Canada, according to The Athletic.
The development comes as a major blow to Ghana’s preparations, with the former Arsenal midfielder expected to play a key role in the team’s campaign.
Partey’s absence means Ghana will have to make changes to its midfield plans for the match against Panama.
The reason for the entry denial was not officially stated by Ghanaian football authorities, but the Canadian government website states that “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”
Partey was recently charged with sexual assault, but he is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
The former Arsenal star has denied the charges.
His unavailability leaves Ghana without one of their most experienced players as they begin their World Cup campaign in Toronto.
Ghana will be hoping to begin their campaign on a strong note despite Partey’s absence.
The Black Stars are among the African teams expected to make an impact at the tournament, but the latest development has added pressure on the coaching crew ahead of the opener.
The team will now have to rely on other midfield options to fill the gap left by Partey as they seek victory against Panama.
Co-hosts Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup against South Africa in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
Mexico’s forward #16 Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
Co-hosts Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup against South Africa in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
The 29-year-old struck in the ninth minute, his powerful shot going between the legs of the South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to send the 80,000 spectators wild.
Mexico’s forward Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
It was the earliest first goal at a World Cup since 2006, when Philipp Lahm netted for Germany against Costa Rica after six minutes.
The South Africa players have been exchanging some short passes, trying to open up the opposition’s defence and hit them swiftly on the break, but the co-hosts have been dominant so far.
South Africa’s forward Iqraam Rayners and Mexico’s defender Johan Vasquez fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
Before the kickoff, the 80,000-strong crowd was entertained by Nigerian star Burna Boy, Colombian singer Shakira and a host of performers in an opening ceremony.
More to follow…
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