Tottenham Hotspur’s long-standing troubles at Stamford Bridge continued as they suffered a 2-1 loss to Chelsea, leaving their Premier League survival hopes hanging in the balance.

Goals from Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos ensured the Blues maintained their dominance over Spurs, setting up a tense final-day clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where Roberto De Zerbi’s men will face Everton in a must-win encounter.

It was yet another missed chance for Spurs, whose fight to avoid relegation will now go down to the wire against West Ham. Their disappointing record against Chelsea extended further with this being their eighth consecutive defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham had previously failed to capitalise on West Ham’s slip-up when they drew against Leeds last week, and they once again let an opportunity pass to secure a safer position in the table.

De Zerbi’s team remain marginal favourites to stay up, especially with West Ham losing their last three games, but the unpredictable nature of the Premier League’s final day means nothing can be taken for granted.

Spurs must guard against any late collapse that could cost them dearly. Although West Ham have been out of form, they will be aware that pressure can often produce unexpected outcomes.

Tottenham’s winless run at Stamford Bridge now stretches to an extraordinary 41 visits. Their last victory there came in 2018, when Dele Alli scored twice in a memorable comeback under Mauricio Pochettino. This current squad, however, has struggled to replicate the resilience of that era.

Once again, Spurs’ poor record in SW6 continued to haunt them as Chelsea held firm to complete a league double over their London rivals. The result gave West Ham renewed hope in the relegation race.

Although Spurs entered the match as the side in better form, it was clear they needed to overcome not just Chelsea but also the weight of history. Fernandez’s superb opener punctured Tottenham’s early momentum, and while they pushed late in the game, Chelsea’s defence showed a resolve rarely seen in recent weeks to claim their first win since March.

As the final whistle blew, Stamford Bridge celebrated loudly, reminding Spurs fans of their prolonged misery at the venue.

Before the match, De Zerbi confirmed that Guglielmo Vicario remained his first-choice goalkeeper. However, it seemed logical to stick with Antonin Kinsky, who has impressed in Vicario’s absence due to hernia surgery. Vicario, now fit, was a vocal presence on the bench.

Kinsky, who made a crucial save to deny Sean Longstaff in the previous game, started his sixth consecutive match and was alert again to keep out Cole Palmer early on. He commanded his area confidently in what was a high-pressure encounter.

There will be a decision to make regarding the No.1 spot next season, but Kinsky has strengthened his claim for more regular appearances. As Spurs prepare for a nerve-wracking final-day fixture against Everton, De Zerbi will once again rely on the composure of his Czech goalkeeper to help steer the club to safety.