Spurs' endure traditional sinking feeling at Stamford Bridge to offer glimmer of hope to Hammers

Once more unto the Bridge. Chelsea hosted their last home game of the season : Picture by @YTJourno

Premier League

Chelsea (1) 2 Fernandez 18, Andrey Santos 67

Tottenham Hotspur (0) 1 Richarlison 74

Never under-estimate Chelsea's capacity to rouse themselves if Spurs are the opponents.

No matter how abject they may have been in the past month and a half, the Blues looked eager to shake off their Wembley disappointment by making life as difficult as possible for their north London foes.

And Spurs have an ingrained fear of this fixture. It seldom ends well for them. It's as if they know what is going to happen to them.

Chelsea looked buoyant for once. Perhaps the news that Xabi Alonso is set to become their next manager played a part in that.

Tottenham only needed one point from their final two games to avoid the drop. After missing this first chance, they have another on Sunday in their final game against Everton.

Even then, a point might not be needed, as there will only be jeopardy for them if West Ham turn around recent poor form to defeat Leeds at the London Stadium.

Spurs look so much more purposeful since Roberto de Zerbi arrived and they started confidently enough, with Mathys Tel heading onto a post after meeting a Pedro Porro cross at the back post.

But Enzo Fernandez underlined his and the home side's determination to give their fans something to make up for the FA Cup final loss, and 18 minutes in, the Blues' skipper picked up the ball 25 yards out and hit a lovely swerving shot just out of Antonin Kinsky's reach.

And the Argentinian almost made it two with a vicious angled free-kick rattling the crossbar, while Cole Palmer, who had already stung the palms of Kinsky after playing a one-two with Jorrel Hato, clipped another shot just wide as the first half ended.

The fans revelled in the bating. Ex-player Conor Gallagher was booed every time he went near the ball. Spurs were teased after every error with chants of 'That's why you're going down!' along with 'Lincoln away, ole ole'

And the evening became even more painful for the travelling Spurs fans when the Blues doubled their lead - Pedro Neto's cross to the back stick being turned back inside by man of the match Fernandez for Andrey Santos to put away.

Hope unexpectedly emerged from the rubble for Spurs when Richarlison fired in from close range following a clever back heel from Pape Matar Sarr, who had just come off the bench.

And it needed a superb block from Hato to prevent James Maddison from stealing in for a late equaliser - with the subsequent corner raising the temperature as players jostled for space ahead of the kick and tempers began to flare.

The game ended with Spurs pressing and hoping for a miracle but the frustration stayed with them until the end - much berating of officials a sign of their increasing desperation.

"Tottenham Hotspur, it's happened again."

Blues: (4-2-3-1) Sanchez - Acheampong (Chalobah 74), Fofana (Mamadou Sarr 81), Hato, Cucurella - Andrey Santos, Caicedo - Pedro Neto (Garnacho 89), Palmer (Essugo 89), Fernandez - Delap (Mheuka 89)

Spurs: (4-2-3-1) Kinsky - Porro, Danso, vande Ven, Udogie (Spence 63) - Bentancur, Joao Palhnha (Sarr 69) - Kolo Muani (Maddison 69), Gallagher, Tel - Richarlison