Tottenham beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge as De Zerbi credits candid meeting for turnaround
On Saturday, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in a Premier League match, with James Maddison and Mathys Tel prominent in the victory.
Roberto de Zerbi highlighted a candid team meeting earlier this month as a catalyst for change after Tottenham's slow start to the season; he was appointed Spurs boss at the end of March 2026, arrived as the club's third manager of the campaign and took charge with seven games remaining when Tottenham were one point clear of the drop zone. After securing safety, the club spent more than £300m on summer signings for the first time in their history as they backed De Zerbi, and Spurs had taken seven attempts to get their first league win of the season against Coventry on Monday.
Saturday's win was only the second time Spurs have won two league games in a row in 42 attempts and it was the first time they had enjoyed as much as 68% possession in a match since April 2025. Chelsea contributed to the result when goalkeeper Mike Penders punched the opener into his own net and Cole Palmer was sent off for two yellow cards, while Tottenham created chances and converted one via Tel.
De Zerbi described the meeting that followed the Manchester United game as a turning point. "After the Manchester United game, we had a big meeting," he said. "We removed the masks and spoke honestly and clearly in front of ourselves. From that moment, I think something started to change within us. "I think we have put something different into Tottenham in the last period. Not a different attitude, but different relationships with the players, different relationships within the group. "We have changed the spirit of the group and improved the performances of the players, especially some of the more fragile players, maybe the younger players. We have suffered enough."
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown reacted positively to the performance. Green said: "A dream afternoon for Tottenham. They looked controlled, looked at ease, they looked like they were comfortable on the ball. "Results like this galvanise a side. When you look at the players coming back, yes Maddison got injured and he'll be a question mark over the next few weeks, but players coming back, momentum coming back - you feel, and say it quietly, Tottenham might just be coming back." Keown told BBC Sport: "I thought Maddison was magnificent in midfield. He's like the Artful Dodger, isn't he? That midfield is full of mischief, but he's brave against the ball. "I thought Tel was magnificent out on the left-hand side, [Mohammed] Kudus on the right was also really effective, and everybody really managed to handle the ball really well on the night. "Spurs had almost 70% possession, which is remarkable for a team which was just a few places from the bottom of the table. I think what's changed for Spurs is the key personnel."
De Zerbi joined supporters on the pitch at the final whistle and singled out several summer arrivals for praise. He said: "Jan Paul van Hecke played very well, Matheus Fernandes played very well, Sandro Tonali played very well. "I think it was Tonali's best game since joining Tottenham. Omar Marmoush played a good game. It was a tough game for him, but he fought in the right way. "Mathys Tel played very well too. I think we won the game with our two wingers, Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel. They made the difference." Tel, who arrived from Bayern Munich for £30m in June 2025, produced the decisive run and finish to secure just a second league success in 36 years at Chelsea and said: "It is very special because we have come to Chelsea so many times and not got a win. We showed great mentality today and we need to enjoy this win. "We created a lot of chances today. We walk out together, the goal is something special for me, I'm happy about it and let's keep pushing now." Summer signing Matheus Fernandes added: "We are here to change the club's mentality, we want to beat the top teams, and make this victory for the fans."
It was notable Fernandes, 22, was criticised by his manager last month. The return of Maddison, who missed almost all of last season with a serious knee injury, helped in Monday's 3-1 home victory over Coventry City and he again looked impressive before being withdrawn in the second half on Saturday with a suspected groin injury. "I don't think it is a very important problem," De Zerbi said. "I hope it is not a big problem. He is a special player for us. We need him." Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus are among the other players making comebacks from lengthy absences.
Tottenham remain limited in attack with eight goals in as many league games; Manchester City loanee Omar Marmoush misfired again, Dominic Solanke had been underwhelming in previous matches, and Richarlison has been frozen out after being left out of the Premier League squad. The squad held a warm-weather training camp in Marbella, where heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua paid them a visit, and the clean sheet at Stamford Bridge was their first there since 1986.
They are now unbeaten in three games, with back-to-back victories following the 1-1 draw at Manchester United, and have climbed to 12th in the Premier League, their highest league position since 2 January.
