Tottenham relegation race twist as Chelsea fixture change confirmed

Tottenham’s penultimate Premier League fixture of the season against Chelsea has been postponed after the Blues progressed to the FA Cup final.

The bitter rivals were scheduled to meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, May 17 in a crucial game for Spurs' bid to stay in the Premier League as well as the Blues’ faint hopes of a top-five finish.

However, the highly-anticipated London derby will now take place on a new date as Chelsea will be in FA Cup final action against Manchester City on Saturday, May 16.

Enzo Fernandez netted the only goal of the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds, ensuring Chelsea began life without Liam Rosenior on a positive note.

A date for the rearranged fixture between Tottenham and Chelsea is expected to be announced in due course, but it is likely to take place after the FA Cup final.

This is because Spurs are in action at home to Leeds on Monday, May 11.

If the London derby is rearranged for the final week of the Premier League season then Tottenham will play after relegation rivals West Ham face Newcastle at St James’ Park.

With Spurs currently two points adrift from safety, this would set up a unique scenario in which they will travel to Chelsea knowing relegation would be confirmed unless they win at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will be bidding to complete a league double over Tottenham this season (Getty)

Roberto De Zerbi claimed his first win as Spurs head coach against Wolves on Saturday as Joao Palhinha struck late on at Molineux to breathe new life into their battle for survival.

While the result was not enough to lift the club out of the bottom three because of West Ham’s win against Newcastle, De Zerbi is remaining upbeat about Tottenham’s chances of avoiding the drop.

“I believe to stay up. If I stay here, it's because I'm positive, now, because I'm a coach of Tottenham, Tottenham is not important on the pitch, if you are Tottenham or another team, the most important are the qualities of the players, and the human level of the players,” the Italian said.

“It was a surprise for me, because I didn't know them, and when I knew better my players, I understood that we have the possibility, the chance to stay up.

“We have two points, not 10 points, we have two points from West Ham. West Ham are a good team, but also Tottenham are very good players and a very good team.”