Mauricio Pochettino came back to haunt former club Tottenham again as Chelsea sealed a 2-0 win against them at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues won a chaotic reverse fixture 4-1 earlier in the season, Spurs' first Premier League defeat of the campaign, and completed the double in relative comfort on Thursday night.
4
Ange Postecoglou's side made the trip to west London on Thursday night needing a win to boost their hopes of a top four finish.
But Chelsea, who continue to struggle with various issues, were on hand to dent their chances on their home turf.
Spurs' recent set-piece woes were apparent once again when Trevoh Chalobah headed in from a free-kick in the 24th minute.
The goal was finally given after a lengthy check for offside and then a foul, with Chelsea deservedly going ahead on the night.
READ MORE ON TOTTENHAM
They were second best at the start of the second half though as Spurs showed more intent going forward in the opening stages.
But they failed to make the most of their pressure and Chelsea were on hand to punish them for this with 18 minutes left to play.
A Cole Palmer free-kick rattled the crossbar and Nicolas Jackson was the first to reply on the rebound, heading into an almost empty net.
Chelsea were less threatening in attack compared to the first half but, in contrast to many games this season, took their chance.
4
4
The win increases their chances of qualifying for Europe, with the Europa League or Europa Conference League the likely outcomes.
Chelsea now sit 8th in the table and two points behind Newcastle in seventh, a significant improvement from their 12th place finish last season.
Jason Cundy and Jamie O'Hara label Ange Postecoglou 'naive' for comments on Ben White and Tottenham set-pieces
But for Spurs, they now sit seven points outside the top four with four games left to play.
Aston Villa hold the coveted fourth spot and have played one game more than the north London side.
However, Spurs' game in hand will come against a Manchester City side who are pushing for a record fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Pochettino was once a much-loved figure at the club but since his return to the Premier League, he has now inflicted two crucial defeats on them.
Most read in Football
4