Tottenham ended Chelsea’s attempt to make Premier League history with a 14th successive victory as the title pacesetters were well beaten at White Hart Lane.
In both occasions, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen partnered to demolish the Chelsea Football team as well as taint the team’s unbeaten run.
Spurs moved up to third place as headers from Dele Alli either side of half-time made the difference to leave Chelsea five points ahead of Liverpool in second place.
Alli rose to meet Christian Eriksen’s cross in first-half stoppage time and the same pair combined to put the game out of Chelsea’s reach in the 54th minute.
Eden Hazard had Chelsea’s two best chances in each half but Spurs closed out the victory in comfort to put north London rivals Arsenal out of the top four and leave themselves seven points off the top after their fifth successive league win.
Pochettino had, predictably, matched up Conte with three at the back and faith in his wing-backs – Walker and Danny Rose – proving too much for Moses and Marcos Alonso.
Eventually that was the case although Chelsea could, perhaps should, have gone ahead in the opening minutes when Nemanja Matic hoisted the ball into the space where the right-back usually is and Eden Hazard ran clear only to snatch at his cross-shot and send it beyond the far post. That could have changed everything.
EPL competition
The latest English Premier League results leave other four teams with title hopes.Everyone has hope now.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United they now stand competitors for the Champions spot.
With Spurs showing that kind of form, the Premier League will be all the better for it despite Antonio Conte’s pre-match protestations of jealousy.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are gathering impressive momentum, illustrated by the manner in which they overcame a Chelsea side that was starting to carry an air of impregnability.
The 4-1 wins at Southampton and Watford served as a warning that Spurs were approaching the sort of form that carried them close to the title last season and this performance confirmed their growing confidence and stature.