Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham: Pedro and Trippier’s own goal seal a huge result for Maurizio Sarri’s men

Chelsea bounced back from their Carabao Cup final defeat to beat Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

The win is the perfect answer for Maurizio Sarri’s critics as his side closed the gap on the top four.

Gonzalo Higuain hit the post early on for the Blues before Harry Winks crashed a long-range drive against the bar.

Chances were few and far between from then but Chelsea did break the deadlock when Pedro stole in to fire through Hugo Lloris’ legs.

It got worse for Spurs as Kieran Trippier and Lloris got in all sorts of trouble and the England defender passed the ball int his own net.

Spurs have now lost their last two and appear to be out of the title race.

Maurizio Sarri showed his teeth by ditching Kepa Arrizabalaga after his antics at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final.

It meant a start for Willy Caballero, the man kept waiting on the sidelines on Sunday as Chelsea ’s first-choice keeper and manager had their very public meltdown with each other over Arrizabalaga’s proposed substitution.

The Chelsea boss restored Gonzalo Higuain to the starting line-up after playing Eden Hazard through the middle in the ‘false nine’ role against Manchester City on Sunday.

And it took the Argentinian just five minutes to show the threat he possesses, his early effort striking a post, even if he did slice the attempt.

Either way, it was obvious from the first few minutes what a big difference it makes to Chelsea when they play with a proper, brutish No.9 who knows the position and knows how to handle himself.

Granted, he did miss one good chance from the edge of the box but the Blues are a different proposition with him in the side.

Harry Kane showed his fiery side when he and Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta went eyeball to eyeball.

The Spurs star put David Luiz under pressure as Tottenham returned the ball to Chelsea after the home side had put it out so Kieran Trippier could gather himself following a blow to the face.

Kane thought the ball was live again after Luiz took a touch but no one in blue agreed and Willy Caballero, Luiz and Azpilicueta all forcefully made their points.

Kane’s no shrinking violet, though, however politely he comes across and he made it clear he wasn’t going to be bullied.