Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 2 Chelsea

arcos Alonso’s hit an 88th-minute winner
having also stunned Wembley with a brilliant
free-kick in Chelsea’s 2-1 win against
Tottenham.
Chelsea got their Premier League title defence up and
running amid late drama as Marcos Alonso proved to be an
unlikely two-goal hero in the 2-1 win over Tottenham at
Wembley.
Last weekend’s shock opening-day loss at home to Burnley
– a match where captain Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas
were sent off – and the ongoing saga over Diego Costa’s
future has cast an unwelcome shadow over Stamford Bridge
and sounded unwelcome echoes of the last campaign they
entered as champions.
Jose Mourinho paid with his job before Christmas in 2015
as a squad in turmoil hovered improbably over the relegation
zone but Antonio Conte’s side allayed doubts over a similar
implosion as they turned in a performance of grit and
togetherness at the national stadium.
Alonso produced the champagne moment in the 24th minute
and a remodelled defence, featuring Andreas Christensen on
his first Premier League start, repelled waves of Tottenham
attacks with increasing ease until a striker undid their good
work.
Michy Batshuayi scored decisively when Chelsea clinched
the title at West Brom in May but the Belgium international
headed into his own net in the 82nd minute – three minutes
after coming on.

It left Alonso to step up thrillingly once more. The wing-
back stormed into the Spurs box to catch out Hugo Lloris at
the near post two minutes from time, leaving Conte to unfurl
trademark touchline delirium.

Tweet @Am_Lastborn