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The candid meeting that 'changed' Spurs - are they finally on way back? - Published Whisper it quietly, but could Spurs finally be on their way back? Tottenham's 2-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday moved them up to the heady heights of 12th in the Premier League - their highest league position since 2 January. And, after back-to-back 17th-placed finishes, there are growing signs Roberto de Zerbi's side are showing there is real light at the end of a pretty dark tunnel. Saturday's impressive win at Stamford Bridge was just the second time they have won two league games in a row in 42 attempts - inspired by starring roles from James Maddison and Mathys Tel. It was also the first time they have enjoyed as much as 68% possession in a match since April 2025. The win was deserved too, although Chelsea certainly gave them a helping hand with goalkeeper Mike Penders punching the opener into his own net and Cole Palmer sent off for two yellow cards. Spurs had taken seven attempts to get their first league win of the season against Coventry on Monday and on Saturday they looked transformed from the side that did not even score a goal until September 1. It left De Zerbi glowing with positivity, despite another injury setback for Maddison, as he highlighted a team meeting earlier this month that sparked their revival in fortunes. "Seven points after Manchester. Before Manchester we spoke a lot, we had a big meeting," he said. "We removed the masks and spoke honestly and clearly in front of ourselves. From that moment, I think something started to change within us. "I think we have put something different into Tottenham in the last period. Not a different attitude, but different relationships with the players, different relationships within the group. "We have changed the spirit of the group and improved the performances of the players, especially some of the more fragile players, maybe the younger players. We have suffered enough." Former Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "A dream afternoon for Tottenham. They looked controlled, looked at ease, they looked like they were comfortable on the ball. "Results like this galvanise a side. When you look at the players coming back, yes Maddison got injured and he'll be a question mark over the next few weeks, but players coming back, momentum coming back - you feel, and say it quietly, Tottenham might just be coming back." 'A big statement' as Maddison and Tel star Italian De Zerbi was appointed Spurs boss at the end of March 2026 with the club in crisis. He arrived as the club's third manager of the campaign and, with seven games remaining, Tottenham were just one point clear of the drop zone. After securing safety, albeit after a few scares, the club spent more than £300m on summer signings for the first time in their history as they backed De Zerbi to restore them to former glories. And, after a slow start to the campaign and still lacking firepower in attack, the long-suffering Tottenham fans will be left feeling more positive than they have done for a long time. "Tottenham have made a big statement in a really convincing performance," former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told BBC Sport. "I thought Maddison was magnificent in midfield. He's like the Artful Dodger, isn't he? That midfield is full of mischief, but he's brave against the ball. "I thought Tel was magnificent out on the left-hand side, [Mohammed] Kudus on the right was also really effective, and everybody really managed to handle the ball really well on the night. "Spurs had almost 70% possession, which is remarkable for a team which was just a few places from the bottom of the table. I think what's changed for Spurs is the key personnel." De Zerbi ran on to the pitch to celebrate with the travelling supporters at the final whistle, while his coaches and substitutes raced towards the players in the corner of the ground. He has previously spoken of how he inherited players that cried after matches and lost all confidence - and believed his unprecedented control over the summer transfers was vindication for Spurs from last season. It was fitting that Tel, who has attracted criticism from his own supporters since arriving from Bayern Munich for £30m in June 2025, provided the decisive moment to seal just a second league success in 36 years at Chelsea - a stunning low finish after a driving run. The French forward, 21, told Sky Sports: "It is very special because we have come to Chelsea so many times and not got a win. We showed great mentality today and we need to enjoy this win. "We created a lot of chances today. We walk out together, the goal is something special for me, I'm happy about it and let's keep pushing now." Summer signing Matheus Fernandes added: "We are here to change the club's mentality, we want to beat the top teams, and make this victory for the fans." Summer signings starting to settle as rebuild under way In the summer, Spurs twice broke their transfer record with three of their first signings, as they added centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. And all three impressed De Zerbi against Chelsea as he added: "Jan Paul van Hecke played very well, Matheus Fernandes played very well, Sandro Tonali played very well. "I think it was Tonali's best game since joining Tottenham. Omar Marmoush played a good game. It was a tough game for him, but he fought in the right way. "Mathys Tel played very well too. I think we won the game with our two wingers, Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel. They made the difference." It was notable Fernandes, 22, was criticised by his manager last month. The return of Maddison, who missed almost all of last season with a serious knee injury, was key in Monday's 3-1 home victory over Coventry City - and he again looked impressive before being withdrawn in the second half with a suspected groin injury. "I don't think it is a very important problem," said De Zerbi. "I hope it is not a big problem. He is a special player for us. We need him." Maddison is part of a returning group of players, including Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski, who are making comebacks from lengthy absences. Spurs are now unbeaten in three games, with back-to-back victories following the 1-1 draw at Manchester United in which they were arguably the better side. As well as the team meeting before the Old Trafford encounter, Spurs enjoyed a warm-weather training camp in Marbella, where heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua paid them a visit. It feels as though some semblance of the old Spurs is returning, although they remain unconvincing in attack with just eight goals in as many games. Manchester City loanee Marmoush misfired again and his replacement Dominic Solanke was underwhelming in previous matches, while Richarlison has been frozen out in the reserves after being left out of their Premier League squad. But after this notable derby victory at Chelsea - earning a clean sheet there too for the first time since 1986 - it felt like the first part of De Zerbi's rebuild is well under way. Related topics - Published6 hours ago
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