The fine margins that may yet condemn Tottenham Hotspur to the most humiliating relegation in Premier League history could be measured in seconds at Stamford Bridge.

But if Spurs do drop into the Championship on Sunday, it will not be due to one incident but a campaign of discord, instability, and incompetence on and off the pitch.

Spurs' Final Stand

They can still shape their own fate at home to Everton on the final day of the season, with a point enough due to a better goal difference of 12 over third-bottom West Ham. However, a defeat and a Hammers win at home to Leeds would relegate them.

Tottenham will look back on a decisive incident towards the end of their 2-1 defeat at Chelsea as one when the opportunity to avoid what will undoubtedly be an afternoon of nerve-shredding tension at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium escaped them.

The Controversial Call

Richarlison had given Roberto de Zerbi's disappointing side hope, after Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos gave the hosts a deserved two-goal advantage, when Chelsea's combative left-back Marc Cucurella unceremoniously dragged Spurs defender Micky van de Ven to the floor.

It came as Mathys Tel prepared to take a corner, and Spurs demanded a penalty that never came. Their disbelief doubled when Cucurella was cautioned over the incident.

Video assistant referee (VAR) checks detected his foul came seconds, maybe even one second, before the ball came into play, meaning a penalty could not be awarded. Referee Stuart Attwell could only take action against Cucurella with a yellow card.

Former Chelsea and England striker Daniel Sturridge told Sky Sports: "One second difference and it is a guaranteed penalty. Cucurella is so lucky."

Tottenham boss De Zerbi refused to dwell on it, but said the Everton game was arguably "more important" than the club's Europa League final against Manchester United last season, which they won in Bilbao. He added: "It is not my business. My business is to focus on preparing the next game and to get the points we need because Sunday is the final for us."

The arguments continued after the final whistle, led by substitute James Maddison. But the real frustration will come from the fact Spurs had the opportunity to banish all relegation fears here and were simply not good enough to take advantage.