Chelsea manager Antonio Conte praised the “commitment” of his team in a “moment that is not easy” as they bounced back from their opening-day loss to Burnley by beating Tottenham at Wembley.
Marcos Alonso scored a late winner for the Blues as Spurs started life at their temporary home with a disappointing defeat.
Chelsea’s new £60m striker Alvaro Morata missed an easy headed chance in the opening minutes before Alonso’s perfectly delivered free-kick gave Antonio Conte’s side the lead after 24 minutes.
Spurs responded strongly with Harry Kane hitting the post and it looked like they had earned at least a point when substitute Michy Batshuayi headed Christian Eriksen’s free-kick into his own net with eight minutes left, Chelsea cursing as Willian had also hit the upright.
However, the Blues showed trademark strength of character to secure a morale-boosting win after 88 minutes when Alonso scored his second, with Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris guilty of a serious error in allowing the shot to go underneath his body.
“We only have to think on the pitch and not to give answers to people,” said Conte, whose team were reduced to nine men on the opening day and are without striker Diego Costa, who remains in Brazil.
“This moment is not easy for us but I am very happy to have this group of players because they showed me great commitment, desire and will to improve after a great season. We only need to focus on the pitch, outside does not matter for us.
“I want to thank my players – every one. I saw today the fighters. I’m very happy when I see this type of game. I’m not speaking about football, but this spirit, this heart, this desire.”
For Spurs, who did not lose a Premier League game at home during 2016-17, the result means they have now lost seven of their past 10 games at what will be their temporary home while awaiting completion of a new stadium at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham’s move to Wembley for one season saw the famous old stadium draped in the club’s livery and mottoes – as well as a drummer using a microphone to send out a booming beat at strategic intervals.
It was all designed to make it feel like home and an attempt to continue their superb White Hart Lane form of last season, when they won 17 and drew two of their 19 league games.
But this match had the kind of ending they did not experience on home turf during 2016-17.
It was, however, a familiar feeling for them at Wembley – but talk of a curse is surely premature.
Spurs played well for large portions of this game only to be thwarted by a poor final ball and the blue wall of defiance presented by Chelsea.
It was not the start Tottenham wanted at their temporary home, but there is enough quality in Mauricio Pochettino’s side to swiftly put this setback behind them.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino: “I am disappointed because we deserved more but they were very clinical with two shots on target and two goals. We dominated and we were better but if you are not clinical, you can lose like today.
“We are one step ahead than last season. We were much better in every aspect of the game than Chelsea, they were just clinical. I am not frustrated or upset. I am happy with the performance of the players. We are working hard, there are plenty of games to play.”
Chelsea goalscorer Marcos Alonso: “I am very happy for the win. There was a lot of talk in the week and it showed we are together, we worked hard and we 100% deserved the win.
“We tried to more of the ball in the second half but they were pressing a lot. We were compact and it was a very good game from us.”
(BBC Sport)
