Jamie Redknapp paid tribute to ‘incredible’ Thiago Silva after the defender helped Chelsea secure another win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues beat Spurs twice on their way to the Carabao Cup final and inflicted yet another defeat on Antonio Conte’s side on Sunday.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes, Hakim Ziyech finally broke the deadlock with a superb curler from the edge of the box.
Thiago Silva doubled Chelsea’s lead on 55 minutes and Tottenham were unable to mount a comeback as they missed the opportunity to close the gap on their top-four rivals.
‘We talk about great players and great signings, what a great signing he’s been,’ Redknapp said of Silva after Chelsea’s 2-0 win.
‘There were a few people doubting him because of his age, but he has been incredible. He’s a Rolls-Royce of a player. And what a great influence he must be to the other players in that dressing room.’
Silva joined Chelsea on a free transfer in the summer of 2020 and extended his contract for a second time this month.
Tuchel, meanwhile, praised his Chelsea side after they won their first Premier League match since December 26.
‘We were working extremely hard for it and it was a tough match,’ the German coach said.
‘The effort was outstanding and it was a deserved win. It is so hard to create chances against them but we were relentless and kept on believing.’
This was Tottenham’s first league defeat since Antonio Conte took over as manager. Spurs are now nine points behind Chelsea although they have four games in hand.
Conte said: ‘I don’t like to lose and defeat is always difficult for me, but I think to have a nine games in a row without defeat was important.
‘In this moment, the gap with other teams like Chelsea is really an important gap and the team and the squad, the game was… I am proud for the effort.
‘We tried to do everything but sometimes it is not enough, especially against a team like this. Now there is a big difference between us and the top teams.’
