LONDON: Chelsea’s troubles deepened with a 2-0 loss to fierce London rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.
Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane scored to pile the misery on Chelsea manager Graham Potter, whose team cannot seem to turn their form around.
Fourth-placed Spurs, meanwhile, strengthened their bid for a Champions League qualifying spot by moving four points clear of Newcastle, having played two games more.
But Chelsea’s campaign just keeps on getting worse after extending their winless run to six games.
Potter’s team has only won once in their last 11 games and twice in the Premier League since mid-October.
While Potter is said to enjoy the faith of the club’s owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the latest loss will increase the pressure on him.
Chelsea went down to second-half goals from Skipp and Kane after rarely threatening Spurs at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Chelsea looked bereft of attacking ideas and have now scored just a single goal in their last six matches in all competitions.
Tottenham took the lead in the first minute of the second half through Skipp, and Kane swept in another in the 82nd.
More misery for Potter as Tottenham beat Chelsea 2-0 in Premier League derby
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More misery for Potter as Tottenham beat Chelsea 2-0 in Premier League derby
- Potter’s team has only won once in their last 11 games and twice in the Premier League since mid-October
- Fourth-placed Spurs, meanwhile, strengthened their bid for a Champions League qualifying spot
Pepper, Narine lead Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to ILT20 Qualifier 2 with win over Dubai Capitals
- The win sets up a Qualifier 2 clash with MI Emirates on Friday, with a place in Sunday’s final against Desert Vipers at stake
DUBAI: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders moved one win away from the International League T20 final after sealing a commanding 50-run victory over Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator at Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.
An impressive 122-run opening partnership between Michael Pepper and Phil Salt laid the foundation for the Knight Riders, before a disciplined bowling display, led by Sunil Narine, Jason Holder and Liam Livingstone, dismantled the Capitals’ chase.
The win sets up a Qualifier 2 clash with MI Emirates on Friday, with a place in Sunday’s final against Desert Vipers at stake.
Pepper continued his fine form with a fluent 72 off 49 deliveries, striking seven fours and three sixes, while Salt contributed 43 off 34 as the Knight Riders surged to 122 without loss.
Although the Capitals fought back strongly with the ball to restrict Abu Dhabi to 158/7, a late cameo from Holder (22 off 11) ensured a competitive total.
In reply, the Capitals never recovered from a bruising start as Abu Dhabi’s bowlers applied relentless pressure.
Holder struck early, Narine dominated through the powerplay and middle overs, and Livingstone delivered key blows as the Capitals were bundled out for 108. Narine, Holder and Livingstone finished with three wickets apiece.
Player of the match Narine said: “Winning games changes everything, it means a lot. We haven’t made the playoffs in three years, and that’s something we’ve been pushing hard for. It’s emotional because we’ve played good cricket before without getting the results.”
Dubai Capitals captain Mohammad Nabi was philosophical in defeat.
“At one point it looked like they might get close to 200, but we did well to pull things back with the ball. With the bat, though, we weren’t good enough as a unit,” he said.
“There wasn’t excessive turn, but they bowled very well to their areas. The plan was to rotate strike and avoid early wickets, but it didn’t come off.”
