Chelsea beat London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Thursday thanks to a goal from Argentina international Enzo Fernández to move up to fourth in the Premier League and boost their hopes of returning to the Champions League next season.

Fernandez was left unmarked to head home from Cole Palmer's perfect 50th-minute cross in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who was at Stamford Bridge to witness the England striker's return from injury.

Chelsea thought they had added a second soon after, but Moisés Caicedo's volley was ruled out for offside after a VAR decision.

Spurs' celebrations were cut short when substitute Pape Sarr's 69th-minute shot from outside the area was ruled out for a foul on the Senegalese midfielder.

The win lifted Chelsea back into the top four, a point clear of fifth-placed Manchester City and two clear of sixth-placed Newcastle United - but with a game in hand - as the race for Champions League qualification heats up.

Spurs -- whose miserable run at Stamford Bridge now stands at one league win in 40 attempts -- remained in 14th place, with their hopes of European competition next season dependent on their ability to win the Europa League.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca hugged his staff at the final whistle, visibly relieved after an inconsistent run that included a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in their last league game.

Spurs, who failed to register a shot on target in the first half for the second successive game, could have snatched a point in the 89th minute but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez threw himself across his goal to deny Son Heung-Min at the far post.

Spurs' supporters voiced their frustration at the club's owners and manager Ange Postecoglou, who appeared to mock their protests by cupping his hand to his ear when Sarr seemed to have levelled the scores.

When asked about the negative reaction from the fans to his substitutions, Postecoglou told Talksport: "It's not the first time. Fans I guess express their opinions. That's fine and I have to accept it."