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Tottenham Hotspur's fight to avoid the humiliation of relegation will go down the final day of the Premier League season after defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs knew victory would guarantee survival at the expense of West Ham United - and that a point would almost certainly be enough because of their superior goal difference.
Instead, they go into their final game at home to Everton with a two-point advantage over West Ham, but with the door left ajar for Nuno Espirito Santo's side to escape.
Chelsea, who had Calum McFarlane in charge having confirmed Xabi Alonso as their new manager from July, took the lead after 18 minutes when Enzo Fernandez sent a shot swerving beyond Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
Mathys Tel headed against the post for Spurs in the first half, but otherwise they were strangely lacklustre until late on, Chelsea doubling their lead after 67 minutes, Andrey Santos scoring from close range after Randal Kolo Muani conceded possession cheaply.
Richarlison gave Spurs hope with 16 minutes left, but they could not add the second goal that would have meant so much, ratcheting up the tension before Sunday's decisive meeting with Everton.
Spurs were furious when they were denied a late penalty after Marc Cucurella was cautioned for dragging down Micky van de Ven at a corner, but it was adjudged that the ball was not yet in play.
Chelsea's win improves their own chances of European football as they move into eighth position ahead of Brentford on goal difference.
Tottenham's incentive could not have been greater as they travelled to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. Premier League survival was in their own hands.
They faced a Chelsea side whose form had been indifferent, and who had just suffered the disappointment of losing the FA Cup final to Manchester City.
Spurs started brightly, but once Chelsea went ahead through Fernandez there was a lack of urgency until it was too late, namely after Santos had put them two goals in arrears.
Santos' goal came just as head coach Roberto de Zerbi was about to make three substitutions, including James Maddison, who led lengthy Spurs protests to referee Stuart Attwell at the final whistle.
The point of contention was that penalty incident when Cucurella clearly dragged Van de Ven to the floor, but the ruling was that the ball was not yet in play - a decision that infuriated Spurs.
In reality, despite a late flurry, Spurs did not produce enough creation or threat when the stakes were so high.
Now it all rides on Sunday's meeting with Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - with Spurs' top-flight status hanging in the balance.
Spurs know a point will almost certainly be enough to keep them in the Premier League, but nerves will be jangling after such poor form at home this season.
Fernandez once again demonstrated his importance to Chelsea with the superb strike that set them on their way to a victory crucial in their quest to reach Europe.
The Argentine World Cup winner was at the centre of controversy earlier this season during the ill-fated reign of Liam Rosenior, receiving a two-game internal ban for giving an interview in which he openly questioned his long-term future at Chelsea.
If his future might have been in doubt, what is not in question is his quality and influence when fully focused.
If new manager Alonso can get Fernandez on board with the latest new era at Stamford Bridge, he will instantly have a potent weapon amid what remains a talented, if underachieving squad.
Chelsea now travel to Sunderland on the final day of the season after their first home win under interim head coach McFarlane with European qualification in their sights after this deserved win.
