Enzo Fernandez breaks Tottenham and makes them sweat until the very last round

The Premier League title race was mathematically settled this Tuesday, but that is far from meaning there will be no drama in the final round. The battle for European places will be intense, and the fight for survival will be just as fierce, largely thanks to the outcome of the final match of the penultimate round of the English championship played at Stamford Bridge.

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Tottenham had the chance to ease their worries before the final 90 minutes of the season at the home of their city rivals. Because of their much better goal difference, even a draw would have essentially been enough, but they failed to get it. Chelsea sent them home empty-handed and, with the win (their sixth consecutive victory in head-to-head meetings), returned to the race for Europa League spots while simultaneously giving West Ham hope they can avoid relegation — 2:1 (1:0).

For West Ham to survive, they will need a win at home in the final round against Leeds, who have been unbeaten in the Premier League for a month and a half, along with a favor from Everton in the form of an away victory against Tottenham. No other realistic scenario will matter for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Chelsea, meanwhile, climbed back to eighth place, the only position guaranteeing qualification for the Conference League, with a chance to move up to seventh and secure a Europa League spot.

The current world champions will achieve that if they beat Sunderland and Brighton fail to take more than a point, or if Chelsea draw while Brighton lose to Manchester United by three or more goals. Sunderland will also have their say, though, because if they defeat Chelsea, they too can qualify for Europe, which promises an exciting match at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

And Chelsea’s biggest weapon in the northeast of England will most likely be Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine, who until a few weeks ago was under fire from fans because of his public appearances, is now redeeming himself with every new performance. He scored last week in the draw against Liverpool, was the standout player in the FA Cup semifinal against Leeds, and was unstoppable again last night, contributing both a goal and an assist in the victory.

In the 18th minute, he stunned the opposition with a rocket from around 30 meters out, and midway through the second half he delicately laid the ball off for Andrey Santos, helping him ease the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup.

Tottenham started the match much better, with Mathys Tel hitting the post with a header as early as the 11th minute, but that remained the visitors’ only real chance for a long time. Chelsea could have had a bigger lead by halftime, as Cole Palmer also tried his luck from distance near the end of the opening 15 minutes, Liam Delap then missed from a dangerous position, and after scoring, Fernandez rattled the crossbar from a free kick.

The visitors were much more dangerous in the second half, but Richarlison wasted their two best chances in the opening 15 minutes after the break. The Brazilian eventually made amends in the 74th minute from a situation that was harder to miss than score, but it was only enough to heat up the closing stages of the match, not to change the outcome.

As a result, Tottenham will have to sweat it out until the final day of the season…

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 37

Friday

Aston Villa - Liverpool 4-2 (1-0)

/Rogers 42, Watkins 57, 73, McGinn 89 - Van Dijk 52, 90+2/

Sunday

Manchester United - Nottingham Forest 3-2 (1-0)

/Shaw 5, Cunha 55, Mbeumo 76 - Morato 53, Gibbs-White 78/

Brentford - Crystal Palace 2-2 (1-1)

/Outtara 40,88 - Sarr 6 pen, Wharton 52/

Everton - Sunderland 1-3 (1-0)

/Rohl 43 - Brobbey 59, Le Fee 81, Isidor 90+1/

Leeds - Brighton 1-0 (0-0)

/Calvert-Lewin 90+6/

Wolves - Fulham 1-1 (1-1)

/Mane 25 - Robinson 45+3/

Newcastle - West Ham 3-1 (2-0)

/Woltemade 15, Osula 19,65 - Castellanos 69/

Monday

Arsenal - Burnley 1-0 (1-0)

/Havertz 37/

Tuesday

Bournemouth - Man. City 1-1 (0-1)

/Kroupi 39 - Haaland 90+5/

Chelsea - Tottenham 2-1 (1-0)

/Fernandez 18, Santos 67 - Richarlison 74/