Roberto De Zerbi praised Mateus Fernandes after Tottenham’s 2-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday, saying the midfielder showed quality and confidence throughout a difficult afternoon at Stamford Bridge.
Fernandes played the full 90 minutes and delivered the corner that led to Tottenham’s opening goal. Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders punched the ball into his own net in the 77th minute, before Mathys Tel sealed the win seven minutes later.
Cole Palmer was sent off late after picking up two yellow cards, as Spurs claimed only their second Premier League win at Stamford Bridge.
De Zerbi said he wants the rest of the squad to follow Fernandes’ example by playing with courage, taking responsibility on the ball, and enjoying the game.
What De Zerbi Said About Mateus Fernandes After the Win
De Zerbi spoke about Fernandes while discussing the change in attitude he has seen from his Tottenham side.
"Fernandes played 90 minutes with a big quality," he said after the game.
"I want to see him with personality, enjoying with the ball. He can make a mistake, it doesn’t matter. I want to see this personality from my team."
The Spurs head coach said he wants his players to be brave on the ball instead of worrying about making mistakes. He named Fernandes and Mathys Tel among the best players on the pitch and also praised Archie Gray’s mentality despite his age.
"Mateus Fernandes maybe was one of the best players on the pitch, like Mathys Tel,” De Zerbi said. “Archie Gray is younger, but he’s older as a mentality."
Speaking to Sky Sports, De Zerbi said the team is improving in its mentality and relationships. “Now we are a complete team,” he said.
De Zerbi has praised Fernandes before. After Tottenham’s Carabao Cup win over Charlton, he described the midfielder as a big talent who can play as a pivot or a number 10.
How Fernandes Shaped the Match at Stamford Bridge
Fernandes was involved in most of the moments that decided the game. Penders punched Fernandes’s corner into his own net in the 77th minute while under pressure from Spurs centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.
Penders was making his first Premier League start because Emiliano Martínez was injured. Earlier in the second half, Fernandes handled the ball while trying to stop Palmer from breaking forward. Both players were booked, and staff from the two clubs clashed on the touchline.
Sky Sports also reported that Palmer avoided a red card after barging into Fernandes’s head while the Spurs midfielder was on his knees.
Cole Palmer was sent off in the 80th minute after receiving a second yellow card for standing on Conor Gallagher, who had replaced James Maddison, marking it the first red card of his senior career. Mathys Tel then saved the match seven minutes later.
He picked up the ball just inside his own half on the left, raced forward, cut inside and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner in the 87th minute. It was his first Premier League goal of the season.
Fernandes joined Tottenham from West Ham United on 2 July 2026 in a deal reported to be worth a club-record £85m. ESPN had described his start at the club as mixed before this match.
What the Result Means for Tottenham Under De Zerbi
The win ended Tottenham’s poor record at Stamford Bridge. Before Saturday, Spurs had won only one of their previous 34 Premier League visits to Chelsea. Saturday’s 2-0 victory was their second league win there.
It was also Tottenham’s first clean-sheet win at Stamford Bridge in any competition since December 1986.
The result mattered for Roberto De Zerbi. He lost at Chelsea on 19 May, when Spurs needed a point to stay in the Premier League. Chelsea won that match 2-1, although Tottenham avoided relegation on the final day of the season.
Tottenham defended well. Chelsea had only seven shots, their fewest at home in the Premier League since January. Chelsea have also conceded eight set-piece goals in the league this season, more than any other side.
Now, Spurs have moved up to 12th in the Premier League with nine points. Their next match is at home against Crystal Palace on 31 October.
