Tottenham supporters travel to Stamford Bridge not only fearing the worst but expecting it.
With one win in the last 36 years there is no reason for anything else, but this trip across London delivered more agony than usual.
They lost again. Of course they did. Goals by Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos put Chelsea two up before Richarlison pulled one back in the 73rd minute and sparked a desperate search for a late equaliser in a chaotic finish.
Chances slipped away, as did an optimistic penalty appeal for a foul before a corner by Marc Cucurella, and Jorrell Hato produced a terrific recovery block to deny substitute James Maddison.
There was no escape for Spurs. At least not until Sunday. This defeat keeps Roberto De Zerbi’s team mired in a relegation hell until the very last day of the campaign.
For Chelsea, a first win in eight Premier League games on the rebound from losing the FA Cup final boosts their hopes of finishing an underwhelming season with a flourish and a place in Europe.
Enzo Fernandez celebrates at the finish after opening the scoring against Spurs in fine style
Conor Gallagher received a hostile reception on his return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday
Although they cannot catch Bournemouth and so will not play in the Champions League under Xabi Alonso next season.
The result also rekindles West Ham’s glimmer of hope that they can still escape the drop.
All on a night when Arsenal were confirmed as Premier League champions. Four minutes into stoppage time at the Bridge and Sky Sports cut away from the game for a brief glimpse of Arsenal’s celebrations.
Talk about capital punishment for Spurs fans.
Roberto De Zerbi, just like his predecessor Igor Tudor, always predicted the fight for survival would go down to the wire although will take little satisfaction from being right.
Spurs will require a point from their final fixture at home against Everton to stay up if West Ham beat Leeds.
It will not be a day for those of a nervous disposition in N17.
Calum McFarlane, in his penultimate game in caretaker charge of Chelsea, made four changes to team he selected for the FA Cup final, although the visitors came out in positive mood.
Spurs looked confident in possession and exerted early pressure, forced mistakes from their hosts and were close to scoring the opening goal when Mathys Tel struck a post with a header from a cross by Pedro Porro.
After a cluster of injuries, De Zerbi has soon found a settled team, unchanged for the third game in a row. Guglielmo Vicario was fit again after a hernia operation, but Antonin Kinsky deserved to keep his place in goal.
Kinsky’s spectacular stoppage time saves in the games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds have been worth three points in the relegation fight and he was serenaded by the away fans after his first save of the night, made springing to his right to push wide an effort by Cole Palmer.
Only four minutes later though, and the Czech keeper was well beaten and at fault, late to pick up the movement on a wonderful strike by Fernandez from 30 yards which looked as if it was straight at Kinsky but swerved away at speed and settled into the net.
The goal bumped Spurs out of their early rhythm. Confidence is fragile at the bottom of the table and Chelsea assumed control. Liam Delap fired wide and Fernandez rattled the frame of the goal with another brilliant curling effort, crashed against the bar from a free kick wide on the Chelsea left.
At the other end, Randal Kolo Muani sliced a cross behind the goal and Tel miscued wildly in front of goal and the home choir in the Matthew Harding Stand delighted in letting them know, ‘That’s why you’re going down’.
It was a reminder of the enmity that simmers between these London rivals, even on nights like this when the atmosphere was at times tepid.
Ten years ago, they were locked in the fiery Battle of the Bridge, when Chelsea recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, confirming Leicester as popular champions and ending the last lingering hopes that Spurs might win the title.
Those from north London always felt as if they were on the rough end of a national swell of support for the Leicester fairytale back in 2016, just as now they suspect most want to see them relegated for the novelty value if nothing else.
Palmer drifted in and out during the first half but was close to making an impact before the interval when he fizzed a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area after Spurs lost the ball deep in their own half.
De Zerbi would have been relieved to get them in at half time trailing by only a goal and his team improved in the second half albeit without testing Sanchez. Then, with three substitutes lined up to come on, they conceded the second.
Kolo Muani’s misplaced pass was pounced upon by Palmer who released Pedro Neto and his deep cross was nursed back across goal by Fernandez with a side-footed volley as Andrey Santos swept in to score from close range.
De Zerbi’s subs gave his team a fresh impetus. Pape Matar Sarr’s backheel created the goal for Richarlison and Maddison gave his team more guile and craft around the fringes of the penalty box.
They can take courage from the spirited finish. They have the quality to take the point they need from Everton but fans will fret and fear the home form. Almost as bad this season as their form over time at Chelsea.
