In Thomas Tuchel’s darkest hour, Tottenham came to his rescue once again.
How different January would have looked for Chelsea if not for a triple header against their bitter rivals.
At a time when the European champions could barely win a coin toss, Spurs granted them safe passage to the Carabao Cup Final, followed by a first Premier League win in five.
And with this 2-0 victory also came some precious breathing room in the battle for a top-four finish that was never supposed to be in question for Tuchel.
It has also given the German the opportunity to enjoy a two-week break from a punishing schedule, which would have been anything other than relaxing a had a miserable run of one win in seven in the league been extended.
Instead, Spurs proved that most obliging of opposition once again, even if the three points owed more to Chelsea’s most comprehensive performance since their 4-0 win against Juventus in November.
There were standout showings from Hakim Ziyech – who scored a stunning opener two minutes after half time – and Mason Mount.
The decision to rest N’Golo Kante paid off with Mateo Kovacic dominating midfield – while Romelu Lukaku looked more engaged than he has for a long time, even if his finishing let him down.
This was a game of levels – and even a Chelsea team on the verge of crisis are a class apart from a Spurs side who suddenly have designs on Champions League qualification.
On this evidence, it will not be at Chelsea’s expense, no matter the four games in hand Antonio Conte’s side still have on Tuchel’s.
After this setback, the difference between the teams in 11 points – and that does not flatter Chelsea.
“It’s happened again” taunted their jubilant fans in the direction of the away end – and there must be a sense of Groundhog Day for Conte.
Three straight defeats against his former club, without even laying a glove on them in terms scoring a goal.
In truth, it is all too easy when these two teams collide.
Chelsea have won all four of the meetings they have had this season with an aggregate score-line of 8-0.
That is humbling – especially when the alternative is taken into consideration.
Chelsea went into these three games well and truly on the ropes.
Tuchel was in the deepest crisis of his short reign at Stamford Bridge, with an expected title challenge blown away by a mid-season collapse.
The cups have offered him salvation – but what if Spurs had blocked his path in the Carabao Cup?
And what if they had closed the gap between them to five points with four games in hand?
What ifs count for nothing and Tuchel can look ahead with a lot more positivity at the expense of Conte.
By his own admission, Chelsea’s failure to mount a sustained title challenge is not good enough. But the season still has much to offer – and if he can avoid a dog fight in his bid to secure Champions League qualification then he can concentrate on trophy hunting.
He will certainly be encouraged by a performance that displayed a sharpness and zip that has been missing for weeks.
That was no better demonstrated than by Mount and Ziyech, who combined well on the right to stretch Tottenham’s defence from the outset.
Within moments of the kick-off Mount’s early cross found Lukaku unmarked in the box. The striker brought the ball under control, but fired well over the bar.
If he could be excused the error at a time when the match had barely kicked off, an air shot when Mount found him again later in the half was just sloppy.
While Chelsea had the better of the first 45 minutes, Spurs had their moments on the break, which perhaps explains Tuchel’s reticence to deploy a back four when he has a fully fit squad available.
Jorginho is too vulnerable as a lone holding midfielder and any burst from midfield was laced with danger.
Harry Winks drove to the edge of the box to force a save from Kepa early on – and Ryan Sessegnon should have at least hit the target from another break.
Harry Kane thought he had given Spurs the lead shortly before half-time when swivelling and firing past Kepa from close range – but the goal was ruled out for, albeit minimal, contact on Thiago Silva, who was otherwise outstanding.
Chelsea took the lead almost immediately after the break when Callum Hudson-Odoi’s run from the left saw him feed Ziyech. The Morocco winger shifted onto his left foot and shaped to shoot from 20 yards, releasing an unstoppable effort that viciously whipped into the top corner.
Moments later he could have added a second with another drive that was pushed away by Hugo Lloris.
The game was over after 55 minutes when Chelsea doubled their lead.
Mount’s in-swinging free kick from the left found the run of Silva to head home.
Chelsea had more chances to add to their lead and it was only ever going to be a case of how many they would win by.
Two goals were enough on the day – and the victory might just be enough to provide a platform to turn their season around.
