Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham, 1 minute
A first save for Robert Sanchez, again sporting the Petr Cech rugby-style scrum cap, and it is a simple one, a deflection from Moises Caicedo’s shin taking the sting out of a Randal Kolo Muani cross.
Chelsea vs Tottenham
How ready are Chelsea for this one? They won’t simply roll over, I’m sure, but their intensity (or lack thereof) could be a key tonight.
How can Tottenham send West Ham down tonight? Premier League relegation permutations as Spurs face Chelsea
Right, kick off is nearing. Here’s a last look at the permutations you need to know.
FA Cup final shows contrast between Chelsea and Manchester City – but where do the clubs go from here?
Chelsea’s last outing was at Wembley, of course – Miguel Delaney was there and tried to assess the muddled, uncertain state of both clubs involved in the FA Cup final.
The new man on the way
Interim Chelsea manager Calum McFarlane revealed ahead of this game that Xabi Alonso had been in touch to check in ahead of his arrival this summer.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” he said of Alonso’s willingness to come to Chelsea. “It’s a massive club, we’ve got really exciting players, some of the best players in the world. They’ve shown at times the quality that we have. It’s a massive club and it will always attract top players and top managers.
“He sent me a text message yesterday, I’ll keep that private. Mainly around the final. We’ve had a brief conversation by text.
“Everyone at the club is excited. A great coach, had a really good career so far, won major trophies. A great playing career. He will have a lot of respect form everyone. It’s a really exciting appointment.”
Roberto De Zerbi insists Tottenham can put terrible record at Stamford Bridge to one side
Tottenham have a wretched record at Stamford Bridge, winning just once in 35 league meetings here.
“Stamford Bridge is difficult,” Roberto De Zerbi said. “It is a tough stadium because the players of Chelsea in this last 30 to 25 seasons have been fantastic. But today is a new game.”
James Maddison backed to be Tottenham’s difference-maker in relegation fight after injury return
James Maddison, meanwhile, offers an option as an impact-man for Roberto De Zerbi again. He nearly earned a penalty last week after his introduction – what a boost his return from injury could be.
Antonin Kinsky given another start
Fair play to Antonin Kinsky. This season could have been bleak for him after Igor Tudor’s cruel axing of the goalkeeper in the first half of the Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid, but he’s battled back and now squeezes out Guglielmo Vicario on merit.
