Hear it low, but Spurs might finally be turning a corner?
Tottenham’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday catapulted them to 12th place – their best league standing since January 2.
After two consecutive 17th‑place finishes, signs are emerging that Roberto de Zerbi’s squad finally sees a light at the tunnel’s end.
The Stamford Bridge triumph marked only the second time in 42 attempts that Spurs have clinched back‑to‑back league wins, thanks to James Maddison and Mathys Tel starring.
It also represented the first occasion since April 2025 that they held 68% of possession in a match.
Chelsea’s errors helped; goalkeeper Mike Penders inadvertently tucked the opener into his own net and Cole Palmer saw red after two yellows.
Spurs needed seven shots to scrape their first league win versus Coventry on Monday, yet on Saturday they looked a transformed side that hadn’t scored until September 19.
De Zerbi beamed with optimism despite Maddison’s fresh injury, pointing to a team meeting earlier this month that ignited their revival.
“Seven points after Manchester. Before Manchester we spoke a lot, we had a big meeting,” he said. “We removed the masks and spoke honestly and clearly in front of ourselves. From that moment, I think something started to change within us.”
“I think we have put something different into Tottenham in the last period. Not a different attitude, but different relationships with the players, different relationships within the group.”
“We have changed the spirit of the group and improved the performances of the players, especially some of the more fragile players, maybe the younger players. We have suffered enough.”
Former Chelsea keeper Rob Green told BBC Radio 5 Live: “A dream afternoon for Tottenham. They looked controlled, at ease, comfortable on the ball. For my money, they finally look like a side with belief.”
“Results like this galvanise a side. When you look at the players coming back, yes Maddison got injured and he’ll be a question mark over the next few weeks, but players coming back, momentum coming back – you feel, and say it quietly, Tottenham might just be coming back.”
Italian De Zerbi took the Spurs helm at the end of March 2026 with the club in crisis.
He arrived as the third manager of the campaign, and with seven games left Tottenham sat just one point above the relegation zone.
After clinching safety, the club splurged over £300 m on summer signings for the first time, backing De Zerbi to restore former glories.
Following a sluggish start and a lack of firepower, long‑suffering Tottenham fans are finally feeling a dose of optimism they haven’t known in years.
“I thought Maddison was magnificent in midfield. He’s like the Artful Dodger, isn’t he? That midfield is full of mischief, but he’s brave against the ball.”
“I thought Tel was magnificent out on the left‑hand side, [Mohammed] Kudus on the right was also really effective, and everybody really managed to handle the ball really well on the night.”
“Spurs had almost 70% possession, which is remarkable for a team that was just a few places from the bottom of the table. I think what’s changed for Spurs is the key personnel.”
De Zerbi sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate with travelling supporters at the final whistle, while his coaches and substitutes rushed to the players in the corner.
He has spoken before about inheriting players who cried after matches and lost confidence – his unrivalled control over summer transfers feels like vindication for last season’s woes.
It was fitting that Tel, criticised by his own fans since his £30 m Bayern Munich move in June 2025, delivered the decisive moment that gave Spurs only their second league win at Chelsea in 36 years.
“We created a lot of chances today. We walk out together, the goal is something special for me, I’m happy about it and let’s keep pushing now.”
Summer signing Matheus Fernandes said: “We are here to change the club’s mentality, we want to beat the top teams, and make this victory for the fans.”
Summer signings starting to settle as rebuild under way
In the summer, Spurs broke their transfer record twice, adding centre‑back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle.
All three impressed De Zerbi against Chelsea as he added: “Jan Paul van Hecke played very well, Matheus Fernandes played very well, Sandro Tonali played very well.”
“I think it was Tonali’s best game since joining Tottenham. Omar Marmoush played a good game. It was a tough game for him, but he fought in the right way.
“Mathys Tel played very well too. I think we won the game with our two wingers, Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel. They made the difference.”
It was notable Fernandes, 22, was criticised by his manager last month.
Maddison’s return, after missing most of last season with a serious knee injury, sparked Monday’s 3‑1 home win over Coventry City and he looked impressive before being withdrawn at halftime with a suspected groin issue.
“I don’t think it is a very important problem,” De Zerbi said. “I hope it is not a big problem. He is a special player for us. We need him.”
Maddison joins a returning group that includes Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski, all making comebacks from lengthy absences.
Spurs are now unbeaten in three games, with consecutive wins following a 1‑1 draw at Manchester United where they were arguably the better side.
Besides the team meeting before Old Trafford, Spurs enjoyed a warm‑weather camp in Marbella, where heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua paid a visit.
It feels as though some semblance of the old Spurs is returning, although they remain unconvincing in attack with just eight goals in as many games.
Manchester City loanee Marmoush misfired again and his replacement Dominic Solanke was underwhelming, while Richarlison has been frozen out after being omitted from the Premier League squad.
But after this notable derby victory at Chelsea – earning a clean sheet there for the first time since 1986 – it feels like the first phase of De Zerbi’s rebuild is well under way.