Chelsea failed to win for an eighth successive Premier League match, their worst run since 2001, as they were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham Hotspur at the latter’s eponymously-named home stadium.
Chelsea had won just two of their last 15 games before kick-off, although the fact they had won each of their past three visits to London rivals Tottenham may have given them hope of arresting their slump.
Tottenham, meanwhile, were without Antonio Conte in the dugout for a fourth successive match as he recovers from surgery.
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In all three games stand-in manager Cristian Stellini has taken charge of, Spurs have prevailed, and they almost took the lead here when Pierre-Emile Højbjerg hit the post via Wesley Fofana’s deflection.
Chelsea lost captain and top defender Thiago Silva to injury after 20 minutes, and it seemed they would be losing another starter when Hakim Ziyech was sent off in injury time for pushing Emerson Royal in the face.
Emerson Royal had a shot saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga but, after the ball fell to Oliver Skipp following a poor clearance, the midfielder fired a shot into the top corner via Kepa’s fingertips.
Tottenham are now four points clear of Newcastle United in fifth, although they have played two games more.
