Maurizio Sarri, in time, may point to this as the victory which breathed life into his tenure as Chelsea’s head coach – the moment when all the doubts that had infected his team over the winter months gave way to newfound belief in the Italian’s methods.
That, at least, must be the long-term hope. For now he can bask in a timely win over bitter rivals which has earned him significant respite after a desperate few weeks.
Tottenham, their display as troublingly disjointed as in defeat at Burnley a few days previously and with Saturday’s derby against Arsenal looming ever larger, ended embarrassed here with Kieran Trippier inexplicably placing a back pass wide of an on-rushing Hugo Lloris six minutes from time.
ARSENAL 5-1 AFC BOURNEMOUTH;
CRYSTAL PALACE 1-3 MANCHESTER UNITED;
