Tottenham 1 Chelsea 2: Marcos Alonso brace stuns Spurs at Wembley

Marcos Alonso wrecked Tottenham’s first Premier League home game at Wembley by scoring twice to give Chelsea a 2-1 victory.

The Spaniard struck an 88th-minute winner after substitute Michy Batshuayi cancelled out his brilliant first-half free-kick with an own goal eight minutes from time.

Spurs dominated possession for long periods but the Blues defied the absence of several first-team players – and the frustrations of manager Antonio Conte in the transfer market – to earn a smash-and-grab style win here.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were unbeaten at White Hart Lane last season, winning 17 of their 19 home matches, but concerns over their ability to replicate that form at the national stadium will grow after a result which will likely focus minds on outstanding business to be done in the window this month.

Conte opted to hand Alvaro Morata his first Premier League start at the expense of Michy Batshuayi while Andreas Christensen replaced the suspended Gary Cahill at the back but it was in midfield where the Chelsea boss sprang the biggest surprise.

Tiemoue Bakayoko made his debut following a £40million move from Monaco alongside N’Golo Kante and David Luiz, deployed out of position primarily as a spoiler to stifle Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen.

Spurs were consequently slow into their stride and should have fallen behind with five minutes played. Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross from the right found Morata unmarked in a central position seven yards out. It seemed almost inevitably the £58m signing would plant a header past Lloris but instead he guided his effort off target.

Harry Kane hit the target with a much more difficult chance of his own making, collecting Mousa Dembele’s pass before unleashing a low drive which dipped late but was straight at Courtois.

Chelsea took the lead midway through the half with a perfectly executed set-piece. Alli was drawn into a needless foul on Luiz 25 yards out and Alonso stepped up to bend a superb shot over the wall and past Lloris.

Kane led Tottenham’s response. Just before the half-hour mark he had another effort saved smartly by Courtois at his near post before firing wide moments later as optimism gave way to agitation among the home supporters, irritated by Chelsea’s effective suppression of Spurs’ creative players.

Luiz and Antonio Rudiger were booked as referee Anthony Taylor came under pressure to curb Chelsea’s excesses; Eric Dier was also carded for a foul on Luiz which seemingly had a degree of retribution contained within.

Spurs began to up the ante. Eriksen flashed a free-kick across the box which somehow evaded everyone before Alli broke clear from Azpilicueta and released Kane, who burst into the penalty area from the left, shifted the ball onto his right and bent a shot past Courtois but against the left-hand upright.

Courtois then flew to his left to keep out a swerving Ben Davies shot as Chelsea struggled to protect their advantage. The champions stood firm until the half-time whistle but the interval did not slow Tottenham’s momentum.

Eriksen and Kane were unable to convert opportunities from inside the box within the first two minutes of the second period as Spurs sought parity. Jan Vertonghen took the fight too literally, lunging in Victor Moses to earn a yellow card.

Spurs poured forward but chances began to dry up as Chelsea defended stoically. Pochettino introduced Heung-Min Son for Dier in a bid to inject fresh dynamism with 22 minutes left but instead the Blues, whose attacking threat had hitherto been non-existent in the second half, began to create openings of their own.

Morata saw an effort deflected just wide before Willian hit the post with a fine 20-yard drive. Moussa Sissoko came on for Davies but it was a Chelsea substitute who would make the telling contribution, albeit at the wrong end of the pitch.

Batshuayi, on three minutes earlier in place of Morata, headed Eriksen’s whipped free-kick past Courtois to give Spurs an equaliser they deserved on the balance of play.

However, Alonso had the last laugh, taking substitute Pedro’s drive into his stride before beating Lloris far too easily at his near post.