LONDON: Tottenham capitalised on the Wembley distraction of Manchester United and Newcastle to maintain their push for a top-four finish with a rare Premier League victory over Chelsea. Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane scored the second-half goals for a 2-0 win which increased the pressure on Graham Potter.

Chelsea’s manager revealed before the Blues’ derby visit to north London that he and his family had been the subject of death threats from hooligan fans.

The mood inside and outside Chelsea will only darken now that owner Todd Boehly has seen his expensive team win only two of their last 16 league matches. They are now closer to the bottom three than to the top four, lagging 14 points behind Spurs.

Tottenham came closest to breaking the deadlock in the early stages when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was denied by a post after his deflected shot beat keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Chelsea had another escape when VAR persuaded referee Stuart Attwell to downgrade a red card to yellow against Hakim Ziyech for a raised arm.

Kai Havertz and Tottenham defender Emerson Royal were also booked in the melee.

Just 20 seconds into the second half Tottenham took the lead with a first senior goal by midfielder Oliver Skipp. Emerson Royal tested Kepa straight from the restart and, when Enzo Fernandez inadvertantly prevented the Chelsea keeper dropping on the loose ball, Skipp shot home.

Eight minutes from time Kane converted an Eric Dier for his 18th goal of the season, second only to 27-goal Erling Haaland.

This was the first time Spurs had beaten Chelsea in their league meetings at their new stadium. Chelsea are closer to the bottom three than the top four with Potter’s side 10 points above the relegation zone, while they are now 14 points behind fourth-placed Spurs.

Kane said: “Chelsea have been difficult opponents for us over the last few years so this was a really important win. Overall I thought we deserved the win. We showed a bit more quality in the final third and managed another clean sheet.”

Potter accepted that he is in danger.

He said: “Of course results test the relationship. It’s the same as anyone in any job, anywhere. If results aren’t good enough, which they aren’t at the moment, you can’t rely on support forever. My job is to keep working with the team because the players are giving everything and they’re hurting. It’s a tough moment.

“The second-half start as a disaster, in terms of going behind so early.”

Chelsea face old rivals Leeds next weekend before the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Borussia Dortmund.

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