Chelsea retain top spot: Premier League round-up

With the win, Chelsea is back to the top of the Premier League by a point.

Christian Erikssen opened the scoring for Spurs in the 11th minute, beating Thibaut Curtois with a stunning effort from outside the box.

The second half was only a few minutes old when Victor Moses put Chelsea ahead as his shot deflected off Jan Vertonghen before finding the net.

“I think that after that game you need to feel proud”. The midfielders in the side have linked up well with him recently and if Chelsea can get out of the high press that Pochettino’s side use, and get enough service into Costa, there is hardly any doubt that he will breach the Tottenham defense on the night. The Italian has been as good as his word and he has presided over a remarkable transformation.

Both managers agreed the difference between the teams had been their efficiency in both penalty areas, with Chelsea weathering a first-half storm to take control of the game after the break. Costa is less renowned for his build-up play but it was his cross that found Victor Moses free at the back post and the wing-back finished off to give Chelsea a valuable win.

“Maybe Chelsea are top of the league, but you do not stop the league today”.

For Tottenham, once again, it was a case of what might have been at Stamford Bridge. However, Conte’s side ensured that their streak continued with a comfortable 2-1 win eventually.

Swansea upped the pressure on Palace manager Alan Pardew by condemning the south London club to a sixth straight defeat in a madcap game that gave Bob Bradley his first win since becoming manager.

On Tuesday his side were kicked out of the Champions League after a loss to French side Monaco.

Goals from Christian Eriksen and Pedro at either ends of the first half set up a thrilling second-half but it was the Blues who managed to carve out the all important victor.

Now Pochettino must pick up his disappointed players.

“It is a game that is too hard to explain why we lost because we played so well and I think we deserved more”. These games are hard.

“I think we deserved more – maybe to go into half-time at 2-0, 3-0 or 1-0, but never 1-1. We have to continue”.

Chelsea’s superb run of form has made them one of the favourites to win the title, but Conte is not getting carried away just yet. “It’s tough to compete in the Premier League and be at the top in the Champions League”.

Leaking a goal for the first time in two months was a new challenge for a rejuvenated Chelsea, who finished 10th in defence of the Premier League title, but had a say in the destination of the trophy by drawing with Spurs in May.