Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham result - Enzo Fernandez header lifts Blues back into fourth place in Premier League

Enzo Fernandez scored the only goal as Chelsea returned to fourth place in the Premier League after edging out Tottenham 1-0.

The Blues skipper headed home the winner from Cole Palmer's 50th-minute cross, moving Enzo Maresca's side back into UEFA Champions League qualifying positions.

Spurs were given a scare inside the opening 60 seconds, when Micky van de Ven's attempted clearance ricocheted off Nicolas Jackson and back off the post.

Guglielmo Vicario then came to the visitors' rescue in first half stoppage time, producing a magnificent reflex save to tip over Jadon Sancho's goalbound drive.

However, the Tottenham goalkeeper was helpless as Chelsea broke through five minutes after the restart. Palmer delivered a delightful cross for an unmarked Fernandez to power home a header.

The Blues thought they had doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Moises Caicedo volleyed home, but his sweet strike was ruled out following a VAR review, with Levi Colwill having strayed offside during the build-up.

VAR also thwarted Tottenham, who appeared to have equalised out of nowhere through Pape Sarr. However, a subsequent review ruled he had fouled Caicedo before Robert Sanchez parried his long-range effort into the net.

Ultimately, Fernandez's goal proved the difference as Tottenham were condemned to a 16th league defeat of the season, while heaping further pressure on Ange Postecoglou.

Ange Postecoglou was far from happy with the decision to rule out Pape Sarr's goal following a VAR review.

"It's not the same game it used to be," he said. "You just don't know what you're going to get.

"You're standing around for 12 minutes; it's killing the game, but no-one cares about that. Everyone just loves the drama and the controversy. I'm sure there'll be a 24-hour discussion around it; I think that's what everyone wants.

"If a referee saw that, and he needs to see that for six minutes, tell me what's clear and obvious about it? It's madness, but we accept it."

On the game, he added: "It's not an easy place to come. We had to work hard to stay in the game. We let in a disappointing goal, but then fought our way back into the game. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get anything out of it.

"I still think it's a work in progress. I didn't feel like we were getting locked in at all. In the front third, we could have been a little bit cleaner with our football. But for the most part, I thought we handled it very well.

"It's a tough ask coming here anyway, but I thought there was enough there tonight to show the lads are getting back to the level we want to."

Levi Colwill paid tribute to the Stamford Bridge faithful for helping Chelsea over the line.

"It was a tough one out there," he said. "It meant everything to me, the boys and the fans especially.

"The fans were amazing out there, they got us through it. In the last 10 minutes, they were giving everything, and the boys were buzzing because of it.

"We felt comfortable. We knew how they'd play, and we knew how to hurt them. I think today we played really well."

On his own performances, he added: "Everyone says I've got a load of potential, but I don't think potential means anything. I think you've got to show it every game.

"This season - at times, I have and, at times, I haven't. I need to keep progressing and learning because I know where I can be, but to get there, I need to learn as much as I can."

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With Manchester City and Newcastle United winning on Wednesday, Chelsea needed to follow suit in order to reclaim fourth spot in the Premier League.

The hosts carried the greater attacking threat during the first half, with only the woodwork and a smart Vicario save keeping them at bay.

Nevertheless, they eventually broke Spurs' resolve early in the second half, as Fernandez took advantage of the gaping hole in the defence to head home.

Both sides were denied by VAR, with Caicedo and Sarr seeing goals ruled out following reviews.

However, Chelsea held out for their fifth straight home league win. Meanwhile, Spurs have now lost six of their 10 Premier League London derbies this season.

Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham

Spence trips the advancing Madueke and goes into the book.

Tottenham have the ball, but not looking like troubling their opponents' defence.

Chelsea are almost there...

Certain that Spurs should have been awarded a corner, Porro angrily confronts the linesman, who signalled for a goal-kick.

The substitute goes into the book for his troubles.

Replays show it should have been a Tottenham corner, but that does not excuse his behaviour.

Johnson is also booked for arguing the decision.

Spurs look for the equaliser midway through stoppage time, and Chelsea have pretty much everybody back.

Tel is found in space and he delivers the ball into the box, but Sanchez is alert and gathers.

As we enter 12 - yes, TWELVE - additional minutes, Maresca makes two more changes.

Tosin and Dewsbury-Hall come on in place of Palmer and Fernandez.

Spurs attack down the right with Johnson leading the charge.

He feeds the ball across the area to the far post, where a sliding Son arrives.

However, Sanchez dives across brilliantly to claw the ball out.

With time running out for Spurs, Postecoglou shuffles his pack again.

Tel and Porro are sent on in place of Maddison and Van de Ven.

Palmer goes into the book after tactically delaying Spurs' restart.

The referee shows no mercy and the yellow card is quickly out.

A conservative change from the hosts sees Jackson withdrawn in favour of club captain James, who subsequently takes over the armband.

Maddison's free-kick is deflected behind for a corner, from which Spurs attempt to maintain the pressure.

It eventually comes to nothing, with Spence firing high and wide of the target.

Neto has his name taken after tripping Son on the edge of the box.

This is a decent position for Spurs.

We are into the final quarter of an hour at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea remain a goal to the good, but will be keen to get a second and establish breathing space if they can.

After ruling the goal out, the referee books Sarr, who caught Caicedo's leg with his studs.

Cucurella also goes into the book for dissent.

Spurs think they have equalised from absolutely nowhere.

Sarr robs Caicedo of possession and advances towards the area before letting fly, and Sanchez can only help his low drive onto the crossbar and in.

However, VAR shows the substitute fouled the Chelsea midfielder in winning the ball back, and the referee rules it out.