Chelsea
How Tottenham Can Clinch Survival at Stamford Bridge
Eight points from four matches leaves Spurs on the brink; a result at Stamford Bridge matters still.
A chastening 3–1 home defeat to Crystal Palace in March convinced most of the Tottenham Hotspur support that relegation was no longer a laughing matter. West Ham United’s emphatic victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in early April then pushed Spurs into the bottom three for the first time in a decade, less than 48 hours before Roberto De Zerbi’s managerial bow.
There were few signs of progress on the Italian’s debut at Sunderland, but the team has grown under his guidance since. Eight points from their four most recent outings have put Spurs on the brink of safety and altered the prospect of a trip to Stamford Bridge. The Lilywhites have won just one Premier League game at Stamford Bridge since the competition’s inception, a 3–1 victory in April 2018, with Dele Alli scoring twice.
A victory at Chelsea would be more than symbolic. It would all but confirm Tottenham as a Premier League side for 2026–27, because a win would leave them five points clear of West Ham with a single game remaining. Even a draw would be valuable. A point at Stamford Bridge would move Spurs three points clear of West Ham going into the final day and would require a 13-goal swing for the Hammers to overtake them. That is one reason Opta is convinced that Spurs are safe.
Chelsea arrive as beaten FA Cup finalists and would see faint Champions League hopes fade completely should results elsewhere go against them. Bournemouth kick off against Manchester City 45 minutes earlier, meaning Chelsea’s own fate could be decided before the full-time whistle at Stamford Bridge.
For Tottenham the objective is straightforward: control what they can. A measured, disciplined display that secures a point would be a major step toward survival. Back-to-back defeats for the Hammers have increased Spurs’ chances, but scepticism among supporters remains. This isn’t done just yet.
Chelsea
Chelsea readies legal case over Enzo Maresca after reported City talks
Chelsea to seek compensation if Enzo Maresca joins City after alleged talks while at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea are preparing to pursue compensation from Manchester City if Enzo Maresca is appointed as Pep Guardiola’s successor this summer.
The club’s decision follows a turbulent start to the 2025–26 campaign after Maresca’s acrimonious and unforeseen exit from Stamford Bridge in January. Reports in the Telegraph say Chelsea’s argument rests on an allegation that Maresca informed the club of discussions with Manchester City while he remained employed by Chelsea.
Those close to Maresca have told The Guardian that Chelsea would be “entitled to demand a sizeable compensation package” if City appoint him. Compensation demands are routine where a manager under contract is the subject of interest from another club, though the circumstances here are different.
Maresca is no longer employed by Chelsea, which complicates the standard model for compensation. Nevertheless, the club could attempt to show a causal or perceived link between his departure in January and a later move to Manchester City, even with several months between events.
The rapid breakdown of the relationship between Maresca and Chelsea has not been publicly explained in detail. The published reports suggest the club sees potential culpability in what is described as external contact prior to his departure.
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali has spoken publicly about the exit, saying Maresca wasn’t fired and his departure was “not a change [Chelsea] wanted to make.” He added that he could not say more for legal reasons.
If Chelsea proceed, the dispute would hinge on the timing and content of conversations that reportedly took place while Maresca was employed at Stamford Bridge and on whether those discussions justify a claim against Manchester City. Any formal legal action would aim to secure compensation should City complete an appointment that follows those reports.
Arsenal
The Italians Who Have Lifted the Premier League Trophy
Four Italian managers have won the Premier League; only three Italians have done so as players. 2026
Italian influence in English football has often been visible but comparatively rare when it comes to lifting the Premier League trophy. Only four Italian managers have won the title, and just three Italians have collected winners’ medals as players.
Carlo Ancelotti delivered the first Premier League success for an Italian in 2009-10. His Chelsea side finished a point clear of Manchester United, scoring 103 goals across the season and sealing the title with an 8–0 win over Wigan Athletic on the final day. Chelsea followed that triumph with an FA Cup victory six days later, conceding only once in that cup run.
Roberto Mancini presided over one of the division’s most dramatic conclusions in 2011-12. Manchester City needed victory on the final day to overhaul Manchester United. Trailing Queens Park Rangers 2–1 in stoppage time, Edin Džeko levelled in the 92nd minute and Sergio Agüero scored two minutes later to secure City their first Premier League crown and their first top-flight title since 1968.
Claudio Ranieri achieved the most improbable title success with Leicester City in 2015-16. Pre-season odds had placed the Foxes at 5000/1, yet Ranieri’s team prevailed ahead of Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United. A direct approach, astute recruitment and team spirit, with key contributions from N’Golo Kanté, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez and important roles for Wes Morgan, Christian Fuchs, Danny Drinkwater and Shinji Okazaki, powered that campaign.
Antonio Conte won the Premier League in his first season in England after his 2016 appointment at Chelsea. The title was secured at the Hawthorns in May courtesy of a rare Michy Batshuayi goal. Conte’s side held off a strong Tottenham challenge with important contributions from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa.
As players, Mario Balotelli was the first Italian to earn a Premier League winner’s medal with Manchester City in 2011-12, scoring 13 goals in 23 appearances and providing the assist for the title-clinching finish at the end of that season. Federico Chiesa won the league with Liverpool in 2024-25, making six Premier League appearances including one start. Riccardo Calafiori was part of Arsenal’s title-winning squad in 2025-26.
Chelsea
Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham: Fernández and Santos end Blues’ two-month wait
Enzo Fernández and Andrey Santos delivered as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-1 to end drought this season.
Chelsea ended a worrying Premier League run with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, recording their first league win since March 4. The contest was edged by Enzo Fernández and Andrey Santos, whose influence helped the Blues hold on as Tottenham pushed late and pulled one back through Richarlison.
Enzo Fernández was the standout, finding space behind Tottenham’s midfield and scoring from distance to open the scoring. The long strike was described as a thumping hit and gave Fernández his 20th goal contribution of the season. He then created Chelsea’s second by assisting Santos’s decisive finish.
A day after getting left out of Brazil’s 2026 World Cup roster , Andrey Santos produced a commanding midfield display, regaining possession repeatedly and showing precise passing. He crashed into the box to score Chelsea’s second and secure the win. “A day after getting left out of Brazil’s 2026 World Cup roster , Andrey Santos showed Carlo Ancelotti just what he’ll be missing,” the original report noted.
Tottenham responded through Richarlison’s close-range strike and pressed for an equaliser, but Chelsea defended resolutely to preserve the three points. The victory keeps Chelsea’s hopes of continental football alive: the Blues will need a win in the final game of the season to guarantee at least a place in one of the lower-tier European competitions next season. The result will also extend the Premier League relegation fight to the final matchday, something that was welcomed by some rival supporters.
Player ratings (selected):
GK: Robert Sánchez — 7.0
RB: Josh Acheampong — 6.7
CB: Wesley Fofana — 7.3
CB: Jorrel Hato — 7.0
LB: Marc Cucurella — 7.1
CM: Andrey Santos — 8.2
CM: Moisés Caicedo — 7.2
RW: Pedro Neto — 7.9
AM: Cole Palmer — 6.5
LW: Enzo Fernández — 9.0
ST: Liam Delap — 6.3
Subs (ratings where given): Trevoh Chalobah (74’ for Acheampong) — 6.3; Mamadou Sarr (81’ for Fofana) — N/A; Dário Essugo (89’ for Palmer) — N/A; Shim Mheuka (89’ for Delap) — N/A; Alejandro Garnacho (89’ for Neto) — N/A.
Match statistics (Chelsea vs Tottenham): Possession 44% — 56%; Expected Goals (xG) 0.63 — 1.72; Total Shots 9 — 9; Shots on Target 4 — 3; Big Chances 1 — 5; Passing Accuracy 84% — 88%; Fouls Committed 11 — 18.
